THIRTY-SIX teams. From the 99,000-capacity Camp Nou in Barcelona to a 8,270-seat ground in Norway – we’re about to take you inside the incredible venues of the NEW UEFA Champions League format.
PSG are the defending champions, and the final will be held at Puskás Aréna in Budapest on 30 May 2026 – but the journey there takes us through some absolutely mind-blowing stadiums. Some of these stadiums will shock you!
And stick around because I’ll reveal a venue built entirely on an artificial peninsula, the stadium where fans have to cross a river to get inside, and the ground where the home team has to deal with winter temperatures dropping to -25°C. Plus, find out which stadium has never hosted a Champions League group stage match before – you won’t believe it!
We start in England, where SIX incredible stadiums will host Champions League action. Let’s explore each one…
ANFIELD.
Home to Liverpool FC, with a capacity of 61,276. The Kop end was once a famous standing terrace that held 28,000 fans. Today, it seats over 12,000, and is still renowned for creating one of the best atmospheres in European football.
EMIRATES STADIUM .
Arsenal’s 60,260-capacity fortress opened in 2006. It cost around £390 million and features 23 kilometers of underground pipes to heat the pitch, ensuring it’s in perfect condition all year round.
ETIHAD STADIUM.
The 53,400-capacity Etihad was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The conversion into a football stadium required lowering the pitch by 6 meters! Its roof can collect 1.2 million litres of rainwater annually for irrigation of pitch.
STAMFORD BRIDGE.
Chelsea’s historic 40,834-capacity home opened in 1877, though Chelsea FC didn’t take over until 1905. The stadium’s long history has made it a landmark in London, and it’s one of the oldest grounds in the competition.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM.
Opened in 2019 at a cost of £1.2 billion. It features the world’s first dividing retractable football pitch, with an NFL field underneath! The venue also has the longest bar in Europe, the 65-meter Goal Line Bar.
ST. JAMES’ PARK.
Newcastle’s 52,305-capacity cathedral has been continuously expanded since 1892. It sits 76 meters above sea level and features Europe’s largest cantilever stand structure, making it one of the most unique venues in England.
Now we cross the Pyrenees into Spain, home to FIVE absolutely spectacular venues…
CAMP NOU.
The absolute giant – it was Europe’s one of the largest stadium with a capacity of 99,354! It’s currently undergoing a massive €1.5 billion renovation to increase capacity to 105,000. The sheer scale of the stadium means its pitch requires over 1,000 liters of paint annually for line markings.
SANTIAGO BERNABÉU.
The newly renovated Bernabéu cost €1.2 billion and is a technological masterpiece! It features a retractable roof that opens in 15 minutes and a huge 360-degree video screen. The pitch can be stored 40 feet underground in just a few hours, transforming it into a concert venue.
CÍVITAS METROPOLITANO.
Opened in 2017, the Cívitas Metropolitano has a capacity of 68,456. It was built on the site of a former athletics stadium and features a unique wave-shaped roof that amplifies the acoustics, making it a “pressure cooker” for visiting teams.
SAN MAMÉS.
Athletic’s 53,289-capacity ‘Cathedral’ opened in 2013. A unique fact: it was built on the exact same site as the original San Mamés, which had to be demolished in phases while the new stadium was constructed around it.
Estadio de la Cerámica.
The 23,500-capacity ‘Yellow Submarine’ stadium sits just 50 meters above sea level. Despite its smaller size, it features one of Spain’s most advanced LED lighting systems, making it a standout venue for night matches.
Now we journey south into Italy, where FOUR iconic venues await…
SAN SIRO Stadium.
Shared by Inter and AC Milan, with a capacity of 75,817. The iconic spiral towers house the ramps for crowd flow. This historic stadium’s future is in doubt due to its age and the desire for a new, modern venue from its two famous tenants.
ALLIANZ STADIUM.
Juventus’ 41,507-capacity home opened in 2011. It’s built on ancient Roman land—construction uncovered 2,000-year-old artifacts! The stands are designed to be as close to the pitch as possible, creating one of the most intense atmospheres in Italy.
Stadio di Bergamo.
Atlanta’s home, also known Gewiss Stadium, this stadium has a capacity of 24,950. The stadium has undergone extensive renovations and modernization in recent years. It is one of the few stadiums in Italy fully approved by UEFA for international matches.
STADIO DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA.
Napoli’s 54,726-capacity stadium was built in 1959 and sits in the shadow of the famous Mount Vesuvius! The venue has undergone significant upgrades to its infrastructure to handle the region’s intense rainfall.
Our next stop takes us to Germany, where FOUR venues showcase incredible engineering…
ALLIANZ ARENA.
Munich’s 75,024-capacity technological marvel features 2,874 LED panels that display 16 million colors! The exterior can change color based on which team is playing. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind spectacle.
BAY ARENA.
Leverkusen’s 30,210-capacity BayArena was originally opened in 1958 but underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2009. Its modern design and close proximity to the pitch create a vibrant atmosphere.
DEUTSCHE BANK PARK.
Frankfurt’s 51,500-capacity Deutsche Bank Park, commonly known as the ‘Forest Stadium,’ is located within a city forest. The venue features a retractable roof and a large video cube suspended over the center of the pitch.
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.
The famous 81,365-capacity Signal Iduna Park features the iconic ‘Yellow Wall’ – a standing terrace that holds 25,000 fans, creating one of the most famous and intimidating sights in world football. The atmosphere is legendary!
We now enter France, where THREE distinctive venues showcase Gallic flair…
PARC DES PRINCES.
PSG’s 47,929-capacity home has been their home since 1974. Its design brings fans close to the action, creating a compact and intense atmosphere. It is one of the most historic venues in Paris, having hosted the finals of both the European Cup and the Euros.
STADE VÉLODROME.
Marseille’s 67,394-capacity cauldron underwent a €267 million renovation for Euro 2016. Located just 2 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, the stadium’s roof is designed to protect fans from the coastal elements and amplify the legendary Marseille atmosphere.
STADE LOUIS II.
The 18,523-capacity Stade Louis II is built on an artificial platform extending over the Mediterranean Sea! The stadium is home to one of the most unique locations in world football, surrounded by water on three sides.
Crossing into the Netherlands, we discover TWO venues that perfectly blend innovation with tradition…
PHILIPS STADION.
PSV’s 35,000-capacity home features a unique translucent roof that creates a ‘light cathedral’ effect. The stadium’s advanced LED system can create stunning light shows during player entrances.
JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA.
Amsterdam’s 54,990-capacity venue was one of the Europe’s first stadium with a retractable roof. The stadium is built on land reclaimed from a swamp, with a robust foundation that ensures its stability.
Our Iberian adventure continues in Portugal with TWO stunning venues…
ESTÁDIO DA LUZ.
Benfica’s 64,642-capacity ‘Stadium of Light’ is a symbol of modern Portuguese architecture. The stadium’s exterior is covered in 44,000 square meters of red mosaic tiles, and its construction required moving enough earth to fill 300 Olympic swimming pools!
ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE.
Sporting CP’s 50,095-capacity home opened in 2003. A unique feature is its four different colored seats that create a stunning mosaic pattern visible from aircraft flying over Lisbon!
In Belgium, we find TWO venues that perfectly represent the beautiful contrast in this competition…
JAN BREYDEL STADIUM.
Club Brugge’s 29,062-capacity venue is shared with Cercle Brugge. Built on reclaimed marshland, the stadium required 12,000 concrete piles driven 30 meters deep to create a stable foundation!
STADE JOSEPH MARIEN.
Union’s historic 9400-capacity ground dates back to 1919! Opened in 1919, the stadium features historic terracing, a monumental Art Deco main stand that is a listed monument, and is nestled within the trees of Duden Park, creating a charming, time-capsule atmosphere.
Now for the venues that will truly blow your mind – each with stories that defy belief…
RAMS PARK STADIUM – (Türkiye).
Istanbul’s 52,652-capacity Rams Park Stadium opened in 2011. Built in an earthquake-prone region, it’s designed to withstand seismic activity, with a structure that can sway up to 30cm without damage! The stadium sits on the European side of Istanbul, just 15km from Asia.
FORTUNA ARENA – (Czech Republic).
Prague’s renovated 20,800-capacity Fortuna Arena sits in the Eden district. A unique feature: fans must cross the Botič River via a specially built bridge to reach the main entrance.
KARAISKAKIS STADIUM – (Greece).
Olympiacos’ 33,079-capacity Karaiskakis Stadium was rebuilt for the 2004 Olympics. Located in the port city of Piraeus, the stadium is a modern venue with a design that pays homage to ancient Greek heritage.
PARKEN STADIUM – (Denmark).
Copenhagen’s 38,065-capacity national stadium features a retractable roof and can be converted for concerts in just 6 hours. It’s a modern and versatile venue that is powered in part by renewable energy sources, in line with Denmark’s strong commitment to sustainability.
ASPMYRA STADIUM – (Norway).
The 8,270-capacity Aspmyra Stadium is located above the Arctic Circle! It’s the smallest stadium in this season’s Champions League. During winter matches, temperatures can drop to -25°C. To combat this, the stadium uses electric under-soil heating to keep the pitch from freezing.
ALPHAMEGA STADIUM – (Cyprus).
The Alphamega Stadium in Limassol, Cyprus, opened in 2022. It has a capacity of 10,830 and features Cyprus’ first hybrid grass pitch. It’s making its Champions League debut this season and will serve as the home ground for Cypriot clubs that qualify.
CENTRAL STADIUM ALMATY – (Kazakhstan).
Almaty’s 23,804-capacity venue sits 800 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains. It’s one of the highest-altitude stadiums in European competition.
TOFIQ BAHRAMOV REPUBLICAN STADIUM – (Azerbaijan).
Baku’s 31,200-capacity national stadium is famously named after the linesman from the 1966 World Cup final! The venue sits on the shores of the Caspian Sea and can handle the region’s notorious winds.
And there you have it – some of the incredible stadiums that will host UEFA Champions League football in the 2025-2026 season!
From historic grounds in Belgium to venues built on ancient Roman sites, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Sea.
The journey culminates on 30 May 2026 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, where one of these 36 teams will be crowned European champions. Which stadium surprised you the most?
Drop your favorite stadium in the comments below and tell me which match you’re most excited to see this season!
