The 15 club stadiums with the best atmosphere in world football – ranked

Raucous crowds
15. Stadion Wojska Polskiego (Legia Warsaw) – Capacity: 31,103
14. Rajko Mitić Stadium (Red Star Belgrade) – Capacity: 51,755
13. Deutsche Bank Park (Eintracht Frankfurt) – Capacity: 58,000
12. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Napoli) – Capacity: 54,726
11. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium (Fenerbahçe) – Capacity: 50,509
10. San Siro (AC Milan & Inter Milan) – Capacity: 75,817
9. Stade Vélodrome (Olympique de Marseille) – Capacity: 67,394
8. Cairo International Stadium (Al Ahly & Zamalek SC) – Capacity: 75,000
7. Anfield (Liverpool) – Capacity: 61,276
6. Estadio Más Monumental (River Plate) – Capacity: 84,567
5. RAMS Park (Galatasaray) – Capacity: 52,600
4. Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund) – Capacity: 81,365
3. Celtic Park (Celtic) – Capacity: 60,411
2. La Bombonera (Boca Juniors) – Capacity: 54,000
1. Vodafone Park (Beşiktaş) – Capacity: 41,188
Raucous crowds

Football is nothing without its fans, and some stadiums are renowned for their electric atmospheres. From deafening chants to jaw-dropping tifos, these 15 stadiums boast some of the most passionate fan bases in the world. Here’s our ranking of the best stadium experiences in football today.

15. Stadion Wojska Polskiego (Legia Warsaw) – Capacity: 31,103

Legia Warsaw’s Stadion Wojska Polskiego is home to some of the most passionate supporters in Central Europe. Their fan section, 'Żyleta' ('The Razor'), is famous for its relentless chanting and intimidating pyro displays. Whether it’s a domestic clash or a European night, the atmosphere is electric. In fact, UEFA has frequently sanctioned the Polish club due to the overzealous behaviour of their ultras.

14. Rajko Mitić Stadium (Red Star Belgrade) – Capacity: 51,755

Red Star Belgrade’s 'Marakana' is one of the most intimidating venues in world football, particularly during the Belgrade Derby against Partizan. With a capacity of almost 52,000, the stadium regularly sees pyrotechnic displays and fan choreography that create an intense atmosphere. The 'Delije' ultras are central to this, and their passionate displays are so intense that UEFA has had to intervene in the past to manage crowd control.

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13. Deutsche Bank Park (Eintracht Frankfurt) – Capacity: 58,000

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park is a fortress of noise, especially on European nights. Their ultra group, the 'Nordwestkurve,' leads the charge with choreographed chants and giant tifos. During their 2022 Europa League triumph, home games were deafening, with noise levels reportedly exceeding 120 decibels, according to various sources. The club’s fan-driven displays make this one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Germany.

 

12. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Napoli) – Capacity: 54,726

Napoli’s stadium, renamed in honour of club legend Diego Maradona, is one of Italy’s most intimidating arenas. The 'Curva B' is the heartbeat of the crowd, leading the chants with non-stop drumming and spectacular tifos. The atmosphere played a key role in Napoli’s 2023 Serie A title win, their first in 33 years. The passion of the Partenopei fan base is unmatched in Italian football.

11. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium (Fenerbahçe) – Capacity: 50,509

Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium generates one of the loudest and most hostile atmospheres in world football. With a capacity of 50,509, the stadium reaches deafening levels of noise during matches, especially during the Istanbul derby against Galatasaray. The intensity of the match is reflected in the stadium, where the fans create a hostile environment with constant chanting, flares and pyrotechnics. In fact, the atmosphere during these matches is often cited as one of the most intimidating in European football, contributing to Fenerbahçe’s reputation for having one of the most passionate fan bases in the sport.

10. San Siro (AC Milan & Inter Milan) – Capacity: 75,817

Few stadiums in world football can match the aura of the San Siro, home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. The 'Derby della Madonnina' is a spectacle, with ultras from both clubs unveiling enormous tifos and igniting flares. The stadium regularly reaches full capacity for high-profile matches. With both clubs set to move to a new venue, fans must cherish every electrifying moment left at this legendary ground.

9. Stade Vélodrome (Olympique de Marseille) – Capacity: 67,394

Olympique de Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome is renowned for its high-energy atmosphere, especially during the intense 'Le Classique' against PSG. With a capacity of 67,394, the stadium is often packed with vocal supporters famous for their elaborate choreographed displays, adding a visual spectacle to the already incredible sound.

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8. Cairo International Stadium (Al Ahly & Zamalek SC) – Capacity: 75,000

The Cairo Derby between Al Ahly and Zamalek is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The stadium, which holds 75,000, becomes a cauldron of noise during these matches, with choreographed chants and massive flag displays creating an intimidating setting. This historic venue has also hosted major African and international tournaments.

7. Anfield (Liverpool) – Capacity: 61,276

European nights at Anfield are spine-tingling occasions, especially in the latter stages of the competition. The Kop stand, once the biggest single-tier stand in the country, is where the most passionate Liverpool supporters gather. It produces an immense sound that has been described as having the ability to "suck the ball into the net"—and has done so on many occasions, most notably Luis García's "ghost goal" against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final in 2005 and Divock Origi's strike to complete the side's epic comeback against Barcelona in 2019. With an increased capacity of 61,276, the stadium is famous for its raucous renditions of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" before each match.

6. Estadio Más Monumental (River Plate) – Capacity: 84,567

River Plate’s Estadio Más Monumental, in Buenos Aires, is the largest stadium in South America, with over 84,000 seats. Recently renovated, it now offers a steeper, more intimidating seating arrangement. The club’s fans orchestrate breathtaking 'banderazo' displays before key matches, covering the stands with red-and-white flags. The intensity peaks during the 'Superclásico' against Boca Juniors.

5. RAMS Park (Galatasaray) – Capacity: 52,600

At one moment, Galatasaray’s RAMS Park was officially the loudest stadium in world football, with a Guinness World Record of 131 decibels recorded in 2011 (when it was called the Türk Telekom Arena). Their famous 'Welcome to Hell' banners for European opponents have become legendary for their powers of intimidation. Matches against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş are particularly intense, with fans creating an unforgettable wall of noise.

4. Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund) – Capacity: 81,365

Home to the famous 'Yellow Wall,' Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park is one of the most intimidating stadiums in Europe. With a capacity of 81,365, it is often regarded as the most atmospheric ground in the Bundesliga. The southern stand alone holds 25,000 fans, who chant and wave banners relentlessly throughout matches, creating an intense and visually striking environment, particularly on European nights.

3. Celtic Park (Celtic) – Capacity: 60,411

Celtic Park in Glasgow, nicknamed 'Paradise' by fans, is legendary for its raucous European nights. The pre-match rendition of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" is among the most stirring sounds in football. As reported by GiveMeSport, in 2012, Barcelona's Xavi and Andrés Iniesta called it the best atmosphere they had ever experienced. The stadium’s design traps noise, ensuring relentless support from the Celtic faithful.

2. La Bombonera (Boca Juniors) – Capacity: 54,000

Boca Juniors' La Bombonera is a fortress where noise levels are incredibly high, thanks to the steep stands that place fans right on top of the action. This unique design contributes to the intensity of the atmosphere, as does the 'La 12' supporter group, which is at the heart of this experience, bringing unrelenting drums, chants and flares.

1. Vodafone Park (Beşiktaş) – Capacity: 41,188

Vodafone Park in Istanbul holds the world record for the loudest crowd noise during a football match. In 2016, Beşiktaş supporters set the record at 142 decibels (comparable to a plane taking off) and entered the Guinness Book of Records. Despite its relatively modest capacity of 41,188, the stadium’s design amplifies the sound, creating an atmosphere that is truly unique. The 'Çarşı' ultra group is notorious, ensuring that every match feels like a battle, making Vodafone Park a fortress for Beşiktaş.

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