Football is the most watched sport in Europe and around the world. The large number of fans and the dedication of supporters for various top clubs in Europe is reflected not only by the rating of matches on TV but also by the number of tourists who travel, even internationally, to see a sporting event.
The UEFA Champions League final, for example, attracted not only millions of users live betting on the various betting pages, but also tens of thousands of visitors to Istanbul, jumping the hotel occupancy rate at over 90%.
Museum stadiums in Europe
During the summer, the major championships in Europe are on a competitive break. But even in these conditions, some stadiums are worth visiting – not just for the sport, but also for the experience. Here are the most impressive stadiums in Europe that attract tourists from all over the continent.
Old Trafford (Manchester)
Although its performances leave a lot to be desired (maybe the new owners will change that?), Manchester United is still among the most loved football teams in the world - with a stadium to match. The stadium has a nominal capacity of about 74000 people, with an average of about 73800 tickets sold in the last Premier League season.
In the off-season, the Old Trafford stadium offers tourists the opportunity to visit the Manchester United Museum, the stadium tour, a restaurant and cafe called Red Café, but also the largest store dedicated to football equipment and accessories, called Megastore, with an area of over 1500 of square meters.
Allianz Arena (Munich)
Bayern Munich's stadium, named Allianz Arena after the main sponsor, was opened in 2005. For FIFA events, it is called "FIFA WM-Stadion München". The stadium has a capacity of 70000 (75000 for local events) – and fans filled it to capacity in almost every game last season. As the world's first color-changing stadium, the Allianz Arena is impressive from the outside – and there's plenty to see inside too.
The stadium is home to the FC Bayern museum which contains items from the team's long history since its inauguration. Tourists can also visit the stadium through the normal tour or the VIP tour which includes a visit to the players' tunnel, the referees' bench, and the area reserved for press conferences.
Anfield (Liverpool)
Liverpool's Anfield Stadium has a long history: it was built in 1884 and renovated 12 times so far (the latest renovation work started in 2021 and is ongoing). The stadium has a capacity of almost 60000 people.
In the off-season, visitors can tour the stadium, visit the Liverpool FC museum, touch the 'This is Anfield' sign above the players' tunnel, and take photos with some of the team's trophies. In the deluxe version, visitors can do all this plus a question and answer session with some of the Liverpool legends, such as Phil Neal, Steve McMahon, or Bruce Grobbelaar.
Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Camp Nou (translated as "new field") has been the stadium of FC Barcelona since 1957. Since then, the stadium has been expanded three times, and from 2026 it will undergo an extensive renovation. It is a huge stadium, with a nominal capacity of almost 100000 people, with the possibility of even 120,000, as demonstrated by the 1986 European Cup quarter-final match played by Barca against Juventus.
In the off-season, tourists can visit the Barça stadium and museum, play interactive games, or try a virtual reality experience. In addition, they can also visit the Barça Cafe to fully experience the Blaugrana.
Wembley (London)
Wembley Stadium does not belong to any of the clubs - it is the home of the England national football team. It is an impressive stadium with a nominal capacity of 90000 seats that hosts all kinds of events, from concerts to NFL games. The construction of the stadium was completed in 2007.
Tourists can tour the stadium, including the players' tunnel and Europe's largest press conference room, or choose the VIP experience with a guide and the opportunity to visit hidden areas of the building.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza or San Siro (Milan)
Milan's Stadio Giuseppe Meazza is home to two of Italy's top teams: Inter Milan and AC Milan. The stadium has a capacity of 80000 seats. The stadium opened 96 years ago, in 1926, for AC Milan, and has also been the home of Inter since 1947. In addition to football, other events are also organized in the stadium, such as rugby or boxing matches, concerts, and it will host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in February 2026.
This stadium also has its own museum and offers guided tours to tourists who can visit the AC and Inter players' dressing rooms, the players' tunnel, and see the stadium from the players' vantage point.