Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and watching a game in person is a bucket-list item. However, there are so many stadia to choose from, especially in Europe, where the best players in the sport ply their trade. It all comes down to personal choice. Do you want to watch the best players in the world from a bad seat? Maybe? On the other hand, you might have the best view, but the quality on display does not match up to your expectations.
We’ll now talk you through two of the best stadiums in Europe to watch a match that can fill all the criteria.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs spent around $1bn to create their replacement for White Hart Lane, which took three years to build. The stadium was supposed to open its doors for the start of the 2018/19 campaign, but it took a further nine months before Tottenham could host their first Premier League game against Crystal Palace in April 2019. However, it has been well worth the wait as the new ground is state of the art and the envy of many clubs Premier League.
The stadium boasts a capacity of 62,000 and has ground-breaking facilities in the concourses to supply fans with food and drink. Spurs did their utmost to create the vibrant atmosphere that their previous home, White Hart Lane, generated. They have achieved this by building a huge single-tier stand, taking inspiration from Borussia’s Dortmund’s yellow wall to produce a cauldron of noise. You will see a high standard of soccer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Spurs boast have some of the league’s top talent in their ranks.
Success has eluded Spurs for a period of time, but you could coincide a visit to see them make another run at the Premier League title next term as they are backed in the European football betting odds at +4000 to win the top-flight crown for the first time since 1961. The club also has an agreement with the NFL to host regular games at the venue, with the clash between the Oakland Raiders and the Chicago Bears the first NFL game to be staged at the stadium back in 2019.
Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Located in the suburb of Villeneuve d’Ascq, just a few miles south-east of Lille, this stadium was created for Euro 2016 and hosted six games in the competition, including a quarter-final victory for Wales over Belgium. It was built over a three-year period between 2009 and 2012. Reigning Ligue 1 champions, Lille, call the stadium home and regularly fill the ground to its rafters. It cost over $3oom and features impressive views from all areas of the venue. There is not a bad spot to take your seat and watch the action unfold. There is no shortage of seats, with the stadium boasting a capacity of 50,186. It differs from other new stadia around the world as it boasts a retractable roof.
This allows the venue to host multiple sports rather than just soccer. The Stade Pierre-Mauroy has also hosted basketball, tennis, and rugby, including an Autumn International rugby union match between France and Argentina. Concerts have also been played in the stadia, featuring names such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Elton John. Transport links around Lille are solid for entering the ground, while tickets are relatively cheap for soccer compared to elsewhere in Europe. Demand may increase to watch Lille next season given their exploits in winning the title, but it’s certainly well worth a trip to watch a game at the Metropole.
While these two stadiums are not the biggest in Europe, they are certainly some of the most advanced. Couple this with the fact that these venues are located in fantastic locations, they are certainly must-see places when visiting London or Northern France.
