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The world of sport wouldn’t be the same without some of its most incredible stadiums. They give us a live viewing experience that cannot be matched and allow us to support the clubs we love. Stadiums bring fans and teams together, enhancing the entire spectacle of the sport. To feel the power of the crowd and the thrill of roaring voices is an experience not to miss. There are stadiums every sport fan dreams of visiting. These are the kind of stadiums that reign supreme and stand out from the rest. Cobalt Recruitment is singing the praises of the greatest stadiums in the world.
Rungrado 1st of May Stadium
The undisputed largest stadium in the world is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, in Pyongyang, North Korea. This colossal structure has a total capacity of 114,000. It has been hosting football matches and athletics since 1989, with its first major event being the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students. The stadium’s most elaborate events are North Korea’s annual Mass Games. They are held to celebrate the country’s history and culture through dance performances and gymnastics. Featuring 16 arches arranged in a ring, the stadium has been built in the shape of a magnolia blossom. The structure stands about 60m tall and has eight stories. Construction took two and a half years, which is impressive considering its immense size. The arena is so large you could fit Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in it twice.
Estadio BBVA Bancomer
Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey, Mexico is a majestic arena. While it has only been opened since 2015, it is one of the most awe-inspiring sports stadiums. It was inspired by Monterrey’s rich history and pays tribute to the city’s legacies as a steel manufacturer and breweries city. With its use of rolled steel and an aluminium façade, the materials highlight this history. Also, the stadium has a self-supporting tripodal structure and its shape provides exciting views from every direction. Despite being an attractive building, it was met with criticism due to concerns of the effects it could have on local wildlife. The developer of the project, FEMSA, have said they could minimize the effects. As the fourth largest stadium in Mexico, it can seat 53,500 people.
Sapporo Dome
Located in Japan, the Sapporo Dome is home to the football team Consadole Sapporo and baseball team Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. It is the first dome in the world that features interchangeable surfaces for each sport. Construction started in 1998 it was designed by Japanese architect, Hiroshi Hara. The stadium has a “hovering system”, which opens and closes the dome walls to switch between natural and artificial turf. The dome also features an observational tower and tours are offered on days without games. It opened in 2001 and has a maximum capacity of around 41,000.
Camp Nou
In terms of culture, history and popularity, Camp Nou is one of the most significant stadiums. Built in 1957, it is the biggest stadium in Europe, seating up to 105,000 people. It’s only right that this grandiose stadium is the home of Spanish giants Barcelona FC. Camp Nou is more or less a footballing paradise and it has an elegant, timeless design. It was designed by architects Francesc Mitjans and Josep Soteras, with the collaboration of Lorenzo Garcia-Barbon. Construction took three years and in 2016 plans were unveiled to upgrade the stadium. The stadium’s concourses and walkways will be remodelled. At a cost of £500m, the upgrade is expected to be completed in time for the 2021/22 season. It will also have the highest standard of sustainability by using collected rainwater and solar energy. Camp Nou an iconic football stadium with a sprawling history, attracting well over a million visitors every year.
The Millennium Stadium
Since 2016, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium has been known as the Principality Stadium for sponsorship purposes. This superbly constructed stadium opened in 1999 for the Rugby World Cup. Construction began in 1997 and 56,000 tonnes of concrete and steel were used to build the stadium. It was designed by Bligh Lobb Sports Architecture (now known as Populous). The total cost of the project was £121 million. The stadium’s first match saw Wales beat South Africa 29-19 and since then, the stadium has hosted many large-scale events, such as the Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain, various concerts and six FA cup finals. It may not quite have the history as other stadiums, but the sheer number of events it has hosted makes it one of the most invigorating.
AT&T Stadium
The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is the fourth largest NFL ground in America. It’s an 800-seat stadium and opened in 2009. The stadium serves as the home of Dallas Cowboys but has been used for other activities, such as concerts and soccer matches. What makes this sporting arena different from the rest is its retractable roof, which was designed by structural engineering firm Walter P Moore. The roof is designed to open and close in accordance with weather conditions. To ensure energy saving, the roofing is coated with a fabric membrane system that reduces temperatures and heat absorption. The stadium also has retractable doors at each end zone, 180-foot-wide by 120 feet high. Hellas Construction built the football turf and developed the interchangeable panels so the stadium could host various events. The concept for the structure was designed by HKS architectural firm. $1.15 billion was pumped into the construction of the AT&T Stadium, making it among the most expensive stadiums in the world.
Many sports fans would kill to watch one game at one of these stadiums. Scattered all over the world, the stadiums here are truly jaw-dropping. They give you the kind of experience you simply can’t get when watching a sports match from the sofa in your home. These stunning sports stadiums have combined infrastructure and prestige to become the most iconic in the world.
Do you know any other amazingly built sporting arenas? Let us know in the comments box below!
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