My Top 10 Football Stadiums From My First 100 Countries

beach football fortaleza 2014

Playing football on the beach in Fortaleza, Brazil.

As we travel to countries torn apart by war (past or current), let’s not forget that football is the people’s game, the one happy medium from my journeys through a century of countries. Football brings the people together and in most cases, it acts as some kind of peaceful entity between people. Anyone who has ever been to a World Cup will tell you that – football fans from all over the world play football together, drink together, sing together and party together. In harmony. It’s a joy to be part of the greatest game in the world. Nothing comes close. There is no other sport played by every nation in the world – every globally recognised country is a member of FIFA.

At the football World Cup in Brazil in 2014

At the football World Cup in Brazil in 2014

I’ve been to around 200 football stadiums on my journeys, including 75 stadiums that have been used for international matches. In my ongoing “top lists” from my first 100 countries, it’s time for my top 10 football stadiums. I’ve based these on personal experiences, atmosphere in the stadium, sheer size of the stadium and overall significance of the stadium in my life and my journeys. The top ten are in no particular order by the way.

Dean Court in Bournemouth - football stadiums I've visited

Dean Court in Bournemouth, England

1. Dean Court, Bournemouth, England (AFC Bournemouth)
My first match at Dean Court was in October 2003 when I watched AFC Bournemouth (the Cherries) draw 2-2 at home to Hartlepool, inspired by Northern Irishman Warren Feeney.

Dean Court in Boscombe, home of AFC Bournemouth (The Cherries)

Dean Court in Boscombe, home of AFC Bournemouth (The Cherries)

I’ve since been to over 120 matches at Dean Court, supporting the Cherries mostly in the bottom two divisions. I was there the day we got relegated at Carlisle, I’ve been involved in a pitch invasion the day we almost stayed up, I’ve been one of only 2,000 at a home game in the dark days and I’ve seen James Hayter score the fastest ever hat trick (2 minutes 20 seconds). It would be my dream to watch the Cherries here in all four divisions of the English League. 3 down, Premier League to go.

It's the Bournemouth boys making all the noise, making all the noise.

It’s the Bournemouth boys making all the noise, making all the noise.

 2. The Oval Grounds, Belfast, Northern Ireland (Glentoran FC)
My first ever top division league match was here in Belfast, watching my local team Glentoran FC play a match against Belfast rivals Crusaders in 1990. We won the match 2-0 and I’ve been a supporter ever since. I’ve watched over 100 matches at the Oval and been to around 40 away matches down the years. This season the Glens are in the Irish Cup Final and we have always been in the top division during my time as a fan.

My friend Michael Whitford and I watching the Glens! Glentoran FC at the Oval in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

My friend Michael Whitford and I watching the Glens! Glentoran FC at the Oval in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

If you’re a neutral try and get yourself to a Boxing Day derby when you’re backpacking through Belfast. This is one of the biggest games on the island and features my team Glentoran from East Belfast against our South Belfast rivals, Linfield FC. If you want a better tip, get a green, red and black scarf and get in amongst the Glentoran fans!

Glentoran FC's Oval Grounds in Belfast

Glentoran FC’s Oval Grounds in Belfast

3. Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay (Penarol/Nacional/Uruguay National Team/World Cup 1930)
I had sheer excitement in my bones when my backpacking buddy Wesley and I got tickets for the Penarol v. Defensor top of the table clash in Montevideo back in 2010 in the Uruguayan top division.

watching Penarol in Montevideo

Wesley and I in the Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, URUGUAY. Amazing memories watching Penarol.

On the day, Defensor won 1-0 and stayed top. I went to a further three matches at the Estadio Centenario and became a bit of a Penarol fan. The museum here is well worth the entry fee and let’s not forget that this stadium hosted the first ever World Cup Final back in 1930. Here’s an overview of the stadium tour.

Flying the Northern Ireland flag inside Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay.

Flying the Northern Ireland flag inside Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay.

I seriously hope that FIFA do the correct thing and award the 2030 World Cup to Uruguay. The country deserves to mark the 100 year centenary with a massive celebration in Montevideo. I have yet to see more passionate people than the Uruguayans when it comes to football. Vamos Penarol!

4. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico (Club America/Mexico National Team/World Cup 1970&1986)
When I stood on the spot where Maradona did the “Hand of God” goal it was a beautiful moment. Diego held the World in his arms and it all happened here. Maradona single HANDedly knocked out England and Belgium with a brace in each match, before his killer pass on 85 minutes gave Burruchaga the chance to win the World Cup for Argentina. And it happened right here, in the amazing Estadio Azteca.

Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end!

Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end!

It’s one of the largest stadiums in the world and the biggest on this list. The Estadio Azteca was also the first stadium to host the World Cup Final twice.

In the stand at Estadio Azteca.

In the stand at Estadio Azteca.

5. Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Flamengo/Fluminese/Brazil National Team/1950 & 2014 World Cup)
I lived my ultimate football travel dream in July 2014 when I attended the FIFA World Cup Final in the mega Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While Rio itself is an over rated, dirty city, the Maracana is not. It lives up to all the hype. I loved it.

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

We were right behind the nets when Mario Goetze scored the extra time winner for Germany to win the World Cup 1-0 v. Argentina. It was an incredible day out with my Mum, Dad and girlfriend Panny Yu.

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

Watching the 2014 World Cup Final in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil

6. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia (Barcelona, Catalonia National Team)
I kind of love my travel cliches too, sometimes. Especially because I love the way Barcelona play their football. They are a joy to watch with Messi, Suarez and Neymar this season. On my backpacking in Barcelona adventure, I made sure I got a Nou Camp visit in – I did the stadium tour though rather than watching a match – price wise I didn’t want to pay it, but if I go back I will try and get to a match here.

Sitting in the stands at the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona

Sitting in the stands at the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona

7. Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, Madrid, Spain (Real Madrid CF)
I might get slagged off for including Real Madrid’s stadium in here, not just because I’ve got Barca in here as well, but because I also visited Rayo Vallecano’s stadium and Atletico Madrid’s stadium however it was the sheer colossal size of this beast which had me in awe. So I don’t care if they’re the biggest club in the world or not.

Touring the mightily impressive Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, home of Real Madrid CF.

Touring the mightily impressive Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, home of Real Madrid CF.

Their stadium is mightily impressive. And besides they’re not an arrogant big name club as everyone suggests – don’t forget they were cool enough to play against my team AFC Bournemouth at Dean Court. And they only won 6-0, with Ronaldo netting a hat trick!

Inside the Estadio Santiago Bernabeau in Madrid

Inside the Estadio Santiago Bernabeau in Madrid

8. Layer Road, Colchester, England (Colchester United FC)
As an AFC Bournemouth fan, it was the away days that you got results and had a great day out that you remember most. I loved the old school English stadiums with proper terraces, tight stands and where away teams possessing bigger stadiums used to get scared coming to. I remember Colchester United shocked the big boys on their first season in the Championship years ago, at Layer Road. I first visited Layer Road as an away fan in 2005.

In the changing room on a guided tour of Colchester United's Layer Road

In the changing room on a guided tour of Colchester United’s Layer Road

I feel lucky that I got to watch Colchester United here in the home end (v. Cardiff) and as an away fan (when Bournemouth won 1-0) as well as getting a stadium tour before the stadium was sold off and Colchester United moved to Cuckoo Farm. Old school English League football at its best. The hospitality at Colchester United FC was typical of real English League teams – we had a guided tour of the stadium in 2008 just before it was excavated and we were allowed to attend the match and supporters bar in our Northern Ireland colours as it was a supporters club day out.

With Jeanette and Lea - the Colchester United bar ladies at the old Layer Road.

With Jeanette and Lea – the Colchester United bar ladies at the old Layer Road.

9. The Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil (Ceara/Fortaleza/Brazil National Team/2014 World Cup)
The incredible Castelao is second stadium on the list that is in Brazil. In June 2014 I headed to the Castelao in the city of Fortaleza to watch Brazil v. Mexico in the World Cup. Sure the match finished 0-0 but it was a dream come true to watch a World Cup match and even weirder that it was played between Brazil (who beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in our final 1986 World Cup Match) and Mexico (which is where that match was played).

where to watch world cup

Watching the World Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil.

I’ll never forget the magic of my first ever World Cup match in the Castelao.

On route to the Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil

On route to the Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil

10. Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland (Linfield/Northern Ireland National Team)
It might also seem odd that I’m adding in the stadium of my team, Glentoran’s rivals, Belfast Linfield FC but there’s logic behind my madness. The reason being, this is also the National Stadium of Northern Ireland and I’ve been to around 70 – 80 matches here down the years.

With my friends Beggsy, Bob and Mike at the Northern Ireland 1-0 Malta match at Windsor Park in September 2000

With my friends Beggsy, Bob and Mike at the Northern Ireland 1-0 Malta match at Windsor Park in September 2000

My first match here was in September 1990 when Northern Ireland lost 2-0 to Yugoslavia (when it existed) and my first win supporting Northern Ireland at Windsor Park was in February 1991, a 3-1 win over Poland. I went to every Northern Ireland home match in the 1990s and 2000s except for three (Lithuania, Albania twice), even flying back from places like England, Canada and France in time for the matches. My best memories of Windsor Park were from standing at the Kop End (West Stand) and a 1-0 win over England (2005) and a 3-2 win over an impressive Spain team (2006).

With Brendan and Mike the night we beat England 1-0 at Windsor Park, Belfast.

With Brendan and Mike the night we beat England 1-0 at Windsor Park, Belfast.

I returned to Windsor Park back in 2014 for the first time and attended the Northern Ireland v. Faroe Islands match, which we won 2-0. As I write this, the West Stand at Windsor Park has recently cracked and on the verge of collapse so it will have to be bulldozed while the other two stands are being redeveloped to give us an 18,000 all seater stadium here. While Linfield play here, it’s the Northern Ireland national stadium so has to make my top 10 stadiums.

When the Northern Irish backpacker met the Northern Ireland football manager in Adana, Turkey

When the Northern Irish backpacker met the Northern Ireland football manager in Adana, Turkey

I’ll get onto compiling my top 10 towns and villages from my first century of countries next, you may also have seen my top 10 cities and my 5 craziest moments so far.

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Safe travels!

 

10 thoughts on “My Top 10 Football Stadiums From My First 100 Countries

  • Long time follower of the blog. Congratulations on Bournemouth being promoted to the Premier League, fantastic achievement!

  • Hi Steve – thanks for the comment. I really appreciate and we will enjoy next season in the top division, it might even stop me travelling for a bit to enjoy it as it’s the only division I haven’t yet seen us play in! Jonny

  • “I’ve been one of only 2,000 at a home game in the dark days…”

    If you followed my team, you’d have been pleased there were so many people there! 😉

    I’ve been to away games where there were a single figure numer of away fans… 😀

  • Hi Paul, Wow! Which team is it you support? The 2,000 was for AFC Bournemouth but I have two other teams I support – Glentoran FC (in Belfast and the Irish league) and Northern Ireland (national team). I’ve also been in the “single figure number of away fans” watching Glentoran down the years!! We do well to get 1,000 for home matches. However right now is the best ever time for me as a football fan, as Northern Ireland are SECOND in their group and should qualify for Euro 2016, AFC Bournemouth won the Championship, scored over 100 goals and are in the top flight next season for the first time ever and Glentoran have just won the Irish Cup and are in Europe in July! Best wishes to your team and safe travels. Jonny

  • I support Altrincham FC. 🙂

    Last season we usually got around 700 for a home game, but they went up a league (now in the one below the football league) so it’s usually around 1,000 these days…

    I’ve seen them play at Wembley (FA Trophy final) where they’ve played three times, and at places such as White Hart Lane (in the days when Klinsmann played for Spurs) in the third round of the FA Cup…
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  • Hi Paul – wow Altrincham FC, that’s cool. I’ve never seen them live, only on FA Cup matches on TV. What division are they in these days? I remember Bournemouth playing against Blyth Spartans, Tamworth, Aldershot, Accrington Stanley and Rushden and Diamonds in the last 10 years or so, but we never played Altrincham. It’s odd now my team are in the Premier League, I used to love the away days in Division Four (League Two). Best of luck to Altrincham for next season, maybe a nice cup run with an earner in it? Best wishes, Jonny

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