The Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football. Some of the greatest players and teams have played in this fabled competition, here are just a few of the best stadiums to go and watch a Champions League game.
Anfield
A night of European football at Anfield is well known for its quality. The incredible 4-0 win against Barcelona in 2019 is only one of the big games that have taken place at Anfield.
Liverpool produced magic when it seemed that they couldn’t stay in the competition. It has been said that the atmosphere in the stadium contributed significantly to the success of this night.
Real Madrid may reign supreme In terms of Champions League titles, but Liverpool, along with Bayern Munich are joint-third with 6, which is an amazing feat.
It is unquestionably moving and powerful to see the Kop singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before a match at Anfield, which has been described as a fortress.
Liverpool will be looking to get their hands on the trophy once again this year, but whether or not they can do it remains to be seen. When it comes to winning the Champions League, you can never rule them out, and Anfield will definitely play a role in their journey.
Camp Nou
Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe with. a capacity of almost 100,000. With a set of incredibly loyal fans, Barcelona manage to sell out their stadium almost every game.
Largely due to the unique cultural ties the club has with the Catalan people, this stadium is able to produce some amazing atmospheres. Even those at the very top will have an amazing time.
Under Pep Guardiola, Barcelona were famous for their ‘tiki-taka’ style, focussing on patient, short passing play to overcome their opponents. This is something they still do, and it’s particularly impressive live.
Ronaldinho, Messi and Iniesta are just three Barcelona players to have won the Champions League with this beautiful club. Under now manager Xavi, the club will be hoping to add to their five titles this season.
Westfalenstadoin
Also known as the Signal Iduna Park, there are few more iconic sights that that of the ‘Yellow Wall’ on a Champions League night. Opened in 1974, this stadium has a capacity of around 80,000 and each of those 80,000 fans is loving it.
Unlike most stadiums in Europe, this ground has what’s known as ‘safe standing’ which heavily contributes to the already incredible atmosphere.
In recent years Dortmund have become a Champions League regular, but they have only won it once, in 1997. Perhaps this year they could be a dark horse?
Even if they’re not amongst the favourites to win the title, a trip to this stadium is a must for any football fan.
The Santiago Bernabéu
Home to current Champions League champions Real Madrid, it’s impossible to talk about this competition without mentioning this iconic stadium.
With a capacity of 81,044, Real Madrid fans have seen more champions than any other set of fans play in this incredible stadium. They have now won it an unprecedented 14 times.
Not only does the Bernabeu host Real Madrid’s Champions League home games, but it has also hosted the final on 4 separate occasions; in 1957, 1969, 1980, and 2010 respectively.
It’s impossible to rule Real Madrid out when it comes to the Champions League. Will Carlo Ancelotti, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric do it again?
The Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich are Germany’s dominant footballing force, both domestically and in the Champions League.
Having last won the tournament in 2020, the Bavarians will be eager to add to their already impressive haul of 6 titles this season.
The stadium itself is considered one of the best in Europe. Not only is it beautifully designed, the atmosphere in the ground has to be considered as one of the best around.
Stereotypically ruthless and efficient, this giant of a club has to be considered as one of the favourites for the trophy this coming campaign.
The San Siro
When you think of Italian football, you think of the San Siro. Home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan, this stadium has seen the history of two of Europe’s most storied clubs.
After some time away, both Milan clubs are now back to the forefront of European football, they’ll be a tough opponent for any team.
The stadium is due to be knocked down and rebuilt in 2026, catching a Champions League game at one of the most famous stadiums in the world should be on every football fan’s bucket list.
Johan Cruijff Arena
Named after one of the games greatest ever players, the Johan Cruijff Arena is home to the Netherlands’ most successful team, AFC Ajax.
Famed for their youth policy, with a seeming conveyer belt of talent, Ajax remain one of Europe’s great clubs, with a stadium to match that heritage.
The atmosphere is electric on big Champions League games, and the fans have helped carry them through some tough games, most notably in the 2018/19 season where they reached the semi-finals, beating Juventus and Real Madrid along the way.
This is a very cool stadium in a very cool city, Amsterdam. If you’re especially interested in seeing talented young players, this is the place to be.
Le Parc des Princes
Home to the extremely wealthy PSG, this stadium is a must see, especially this season. Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and, of course Lionel Messi are all on a mission to bring the trophy to Paris for the first time.
Despite dominating domestically, the Parisian club have fallen short in the Champions League. Could this finally be their season to win it?
Many thought that hiring Mauricio Pochettino and signing his legendary fellow Argentine, Messi, meant that they were guaranteed to win. Unfortunately for them they were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid in the 21/22 season.
Christoph Gaultier has now been brought in to lead this star studded team with one simple instruction; bring the trophy to Les Parc des Princes.
Estadio da Luz
Located in Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon, this mythical stadium is home to two-time Champions League winners Benfica.
People say Benfica are cursed. Upon leaving the club in 1963, ex-manager Bela Guttmann cursed this great club saying “Not in 100 years from now will Benfica ever be European champions again!”
Since then, Benfica haven’t won a single European trophy. It’s unlikely they’ll win it any time soon due to the financial power of the continent’s super-clubs, but nothing is impossible.
This is the club of Eusebio, anyone with a love for footballing history should visit this incredible ground.
Celtic Park
It’s not hard to work out who plays at this ground! Based in one of the world’s great footballing cities, Glasgow, this stadium is known for producing some of the best atmospheres you’ll ever see.
Celtic are the only Scottish club to ever win the Champions League, beating Inter Milan in the 1967 final in Lisbon, becoming the first British club to win the trophy.
The players from that Celtic team became immortalised as the ‘Lisbon Lions’. Led by one of the greatest managers ever, Jock Stein, every single member of the squad was born within 30 miles of Celtic Park, a feat unlikely to ever be replicated.
Perhaps the most famous Champions League game at Celtic Park in recent years was their 2-1 against the great Barcelona side of 2012/13. A quick look on Youtube will show you exactly why you should make visiting this stadium a priority.
This season’s Champions League is due to be just as dramatic and magical as ever. If you’re undecided about which club to visit, perhaps this list will help make up your mind.