30 most famous football stadiums

6) Old Trafford (Manchester, England)

Capacity: 75,635

Opened: 1910

Tennant(s): Manchester United

The Theatre of Dreams has instilled opposing sides with more nightmares than anything else and has ultimately catalysed Manchester United’s unprecedented success. From the Busby Babes to Fergie to the class of 92’, this estimable arena has been eye-witness to the main bulk of the Red Devils’ history since construction was completed just over a century ago.

England’s only stadium to boast a five-star UEFA rating, Old Trafford came through bombing in the Second World War (United used rivals City’s Main Road for eight years) to now stand triumphant as one of the most iconic stadia in world football; ghosts of the greatest suffocate the crisp Manchester wind on a cold European night and combine with the roar of a near 80,000 crowd to remind visitors that they stand on the turf of legends.

5) Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid, Spain)

Capacity: 81,044

Opened: 1947

Tennant(s): Real Madrid

If you are a sufferer of vertigo, you may want to steer clear of the fifth most famous stadium in world football. The Santiago Bernabéu’s exterior may not appear anything special but, surrounded by a stack of multiple tiers, the inner sanctum of arguably the biggest football club globally traps the almighty roar of the Galactico crowd. There is an ongoing desire from club officials to bring the passion to the boil and top the stadium with a roof but advances have, so far, been unsuccessful.

The Italian side of the early 1980s will have fond memories of a 3-1 World Cup final win over West Germany here, while from a domestic perspective, few stadiums have seen half as many big names grace them fortnightly. Potentially the HQ in which decisive deals are conducted, the Bernabéu is the centrepiece for a club determined to top the footballing ladder at any cost.