Discover the 10 Biggest Stadiums Worldwide by Seating Capacity

The United States is popular for games and events and is also home to many great stadiums in the world. Surprisingly, the largest stadium is outside the US, in North Korea. The Rungando 1st of May Stadium has the largest capacity, followed by 7 American stadiums and 1 stadium each in India and Mexico.

1. Rungando 1st of May Stadium, North Korea

Rungrado 1st May Stadium [Image Source: Wikipedia]

Built in 1989, the stadium of North Korea houses more than 150,000 people on any single day. The oval stadium enthralls its spectators with comfortable seating for watching the events. The most common events are soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, and artistic performances. For a two-day event on the eve of Championship Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, the stadium made a record attendance of 150,000 and 190,000, respectively. According to Business Insider, the stadium is also used for the execution of Military Generals who are plotting to assassinate their leaders.

2. Salt Lake Stadium, India

Salt Lake Stadium [Image Source: Wikipedia]

This stadium was originally built in 1984 and renovated in 2011. The seating capacity is enhanced to accommodate 120,000 spectators. It is the second-largest football stadium in the world and the biggest in India. In 1997, over 137,000 spectators watched the Federation Cup Semifinal football game between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal teams. Since its inception, the stadium became popular for hosting several football leagues and national and international matches, including the FIFA World Cup in 1986. In 2017, the stadium hosted the FIFA U17 World cup. Apart from football games, the stadium is also used as a stage for music & cultural events.

3. Michigan Stadium, USA

Michigan Stadium [Image Source: larrysphatpage/Flickr]

The largest stadium in the US, Michigan Stadium, was built in 1927 at the cost of $1.4 million and has a seating capacity of more than 113,000, reports The Daily Telegraph. Nicknamed ‘The Big House’, the stadium is home to the Michigan football team, the Wolverines. The stadium has a unique record of possessing the highest seat occupancy of over 100,000 spectators for all home football matches since 1975. More than 300 home football matches have been played so far. The stadium is popularly known for hosting the International Champions Cup fixture between Real Madrid and Manchester United in 2014, with a huge attendance of 109318, a record for football games in the United States. The stadium also pulled record crowds for the NHL Winter Classic in 2014 and hosted Michigan’s Graduation day ceremonies.

4. Beaver Stadium, USA

Beaver Stadium [Image Source: Penn State/Flickr]

Situated in Pennsylvania, Beaver Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in the US. The stadium is the second largest in the US and the fourth largest in the world. Named after the Pennsylvania Governor and owned by Penn State University, the stadium was originally built in 1909 and later expanded to host bigger shows. Nittany Lions, Penn State College football team is a champion on its home turf. The football match between the home team and Nebraska has drawn the maximum number of spectators of 110,753. The stadium was ranked Number 1 by USA Today in 2016, scoring 41% votes in its favor.

5. Estadio Azteca, Mexico

Estadio Azteca [Image Source: Wikipedia]

One of the world’s most famous and iconic football stadiums is situated in a suburban area in Mexico City. Originally built in 1996 with a capacity of 80000 and renovated to house more than 105,000 spectators. The stadium is used for football matches by Club America, the national football team of Mexico. The stadium hosted 2 FIFA World Cup final matches in 1970 & 1986. The stadium is lucky to have witnessed Maradona’s ‘Goal of the Century’ in the 1986 quarterfinal match between Argentina and England.

6. Ohio Stadium, USA

Ohio Stadium [Image Source: Photographer/Flickr]

Home to Ohio University’s Buckeyes Football team, the Ohio Stadium has a capacity of 104,000 spectators. Also known as ‘Horse Shoe’ or just ‘Shoe’, the stadium witnessed national football league matches since 1922. For the last two decades, it also staged several music concerts starting from Pink Floyd, Elton John, U2, Rolling Stones and etc. In 2014, permanent night lights were installed inside the football stadium for playing night matches. It is a wonderful spectacle to watch those matches played at night.

7. Kyle Field Stadium, USA

Kyle Field [Image Source: TAMU CNVE/Flickr]

This football stadium was built in 1927 on the Texas A&M University campus, Texas. It is home to the Aggie Football team of Texas A&M and has a seating capacity of 102,500 people. The football stadium was named after the founder, E.K. Kyle, a Texas A&M graduate, who wanted to have an athletic field to promote sports at the university.

8. Neyland Stadium, USA

Neyland Stadium [Image Source: Wikipedia]

Named after Robert Neyland, the Tennessee College football coach, the stadium has a capacity for 102,000 spectators. It is currently the sixth-largest stadium in the US and the eighth-largest stadium globally. The stadium also hosts national conventions and is home to the National Football League. Originally built in 1921, the stadium was rated as number 1 by The Sporting News in 2001.

9. Tiger Stadium, USA

Tiger Stadium [Image Source: Wikipedia]

Tiger Stadium was built in 1924 with a small capacity of 12000 in Louisiana, USA. However, the capacity was increased after renovations to accommodate nearly 101,000 audiences. Home to the LSU football Team and located in the Louisiana State University, the stadium is referred to as ‘Death Valley’ by opponents as it is difficult to beat the home team. Night lights in the stadium encourage football matches at night.

10. Darell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium [Image Source: Wikipedia]

Built in 1924, the stadium was originally a War Memorial, hence the name. After several renovations and upgrades, the stadium can accommodate more than 100,000 spectators. Part of the University of Texas, Austin, and home to the Austin Longhorn Football Team. It is the eighth-largest stadium in the United States. In 1996, the stadium was officially named after Darell K Royal of the US Corps, who made the Texas Football Team win several matches with their coach.

Sources: The Daily Telegraph, World Atlas, Business Insider