Where are the Greatest Sports Venues in the World

There’s a huge difference between watching broadcast sport and being there live. However dynamic the TV or online presentation, it can never quite capture the atmosphere and excitement of being there watching the action unfold.

And, as well as the sportspeople themselves, the venue also has an important role to play in creating that atmosphere and getting the adrenalin pumping.

Just as there are exceptional individuals and teams, there are many equally remarkable venues across the world. Iconic locations that raise the spectating experience to the sublime. Here are just nine of them.

Wembley Stadium

For football fans around the world, Wembley Stadium in London has a very special standing. It’s where all of the country’s major finals including the FA Cup are played and it’s also where the national team play home internationals.

While it might not still have the famous twin towers of old, it’s an architectural masterpiece and landmark whose huge metal arc can be seen from miles around.

The Monaco Circuit

In the ever-expanding Formula One calendar one circuit that remains a true highlight of the season is Monaco. What makes it so special? Simply the fact that, for one crazy weekend in May, the principality’s streets are turned into a racetrack full of twists, turns and hazards.

It’s also unique in that there are certain points on the circuit from which you can watch for free – including from the decks of the many superyachts in the harbour.

Augusta

The perfectly manicured fairways and greens at Augusta tell you at first glance that this is a very special golf course, when not hosting the Masters each April it’s one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the US.

Limited to just 300 members, including many of the country’s richest people, it has only allowed women members since 2012 and remains quite secretive about who those members might be.

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Nou Camp

If you’re looking for the biggest football stadium in Europe, you’ll find it at the legendary Nou Camp. It’s been the home of FC Barcelona since 1957 and holds a staggering 100,000 fans.

The acknowledged GOAT of the sport Lionel Messi enjoyed a 17-year career playing in Nou Camp and other famous names who graced its turf have included Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Even though Australians are passionate about cricket, their most hallowed venue is also home to many other sports including rugby and Aussie rules football. But for visiting cricket teams it’s notorious for being a noisy fortress where fans are never backward in coming forward with their taunts from the stands. It’s another 100,000-capacity venue and it also features floodlights that are no less than 75 metres tall to allow action late into the night.

Aintree

Aintree is the home of the race that they call “The World’s Most Famous Steeplechase” – the Grand National. Held each April as a grand finale to the jumping season, this is the race that attracts the most online betting of any sporting event all year.

The race itself is an unforgettable spectacle as up to 34 horses take on 32 fences in the four-mile, four furlong course. The winner takes home a very handy $710,000 prize.

Lord’s

Lord’s cricket ground in the St. John’s Wood area of London is everything that the MCG is not. As the home of cricket, its members watch the national game in usually respectful silence – with some exceptions when foul play is suspected.

The ground is unusual in that it has a quite pronounced slope that helps bowlers, and befuddles batsman, as the bounce of the ball is never 100% true.

Yankee Stadium

The Yankee Stadium replaced the original home of the New York Yankees MLB team in 2009 and today they also share it with New York City FC. The replacement stadium was built to include many of the original features of the old one including its famous exterior frieze.

With a capacity of 47,000 it’s the sixth largest MLB stadium in the US and also one of the most famous.

Wimbledon

While Roland Garros and Flushing Meadow may have their fans, no-one could argue that Wimbledon is the tennis venue that beats all others. Winning the grass court tournament is undoubtedly the pinnacle in any player’s career and it’s the grandest of the grand slams by far.

The main show court, the Centre Court, has a retractable roof so even the British weather can’t get in the way. Tickets, however, are notoriously hard to get with many people camping out all night in the hope of securing the few released each day thought the two-week tournament.

So, there you have them. Nine of the world’s greatest sporting venues covering seven of the most popular sports in the world.