Stadiums

PTH2009

Been to concerts in the Etihad stadium and by god it's a trek after it back into Manchester city centre. The metro fills up very fast

Only done the old Trafford stadium tour and thought it was grand getting back into the city centre but I imagine why it could be difficult after a match/concert

All the UK stadiums I've visited (2x in Manchester and London Stadium) were for concerts or stadium tours

Wembley, principality stadium and Twickenham are on the bucket list for me.

Stadiums are a wonderful experience. Truly magnificent architecture

Quantum Erasure

Croke Park, probably the only sports ground i've visited that could properly be called a stadium

NIMAN

Quantum Erasure wrote: »

Croke Park, probably the only sports ground i've visited that could properly be called a stadium

You need to visit more then.

Black Swan

Renderings of the future SoFi Stadium.

Lillyfae

Once passed the Allianz Arena in Munich when I was on a bus on the way to Austria. Was probably about 6 or 7 in the morning, middle of winter and I thought it looked like a gigantic snow structure. I'd been in Munich before but for Oktoberfest so wasn't near it. Was never in the thing though. I've only been in The Shed (Turners Cross), Musgrave Park, Croke Park and my local stadium here once or twice a year- nice but not mind blowingly impressive.

dan1895

The Monumental in Buenos Aires for a River Boca game was the best atmosphere I've ever experienced followed by Hamburg's Volksparkstadion, a 3-2 win over then champions Borrusia Dortmund.
Goodison Park is a great spot for getting a feeling of what it was like going to games in the 70's.
Utrecht's Galgenwaard had a good atmosphere when I was there considering the away support was small. A modern looking stadium which was opened in the late 80's. Must have looked space aged at the time.

sioda

Old thomond Park loved it there new stadium is good but doesn't move me like the old one still feicin baltic there always.
Pearse stadium in Galway on connacht final days always sticks out.
Top of the list Stade Aimiral in Perpignan absolute bear pit of a place but good craic every time.

anacc

How anybody thinks the Aviva is a good stadium is beyond me.

Sharp MZ700

Nou Camp was extraordinary but a bit too shallow, too far back from the action.
Bernabeu also impressive but hated the crowd, way too fickle
Old Müngersdorfer Stadion was bland but on Derby Day it came alive, the Leverkusners would have police escorted trams in and out of the game.
Best atmosphere in England was at the Millars, for a little place it packs some punch(20 years ago anyway).
Going to start going over more when finances are mine a bit again.

Joe_ Public

Big soft spot for Loftus Road, small ground that packs a meaty punch. Also loved the old filbert street, the block of flats across the road with people occupying every square inch of the roof on match days. The old stadiums had so much more of a unique character but....progress, i guess.

Captain Havoc

anacc wrote: »

How anybody thinks the Aviva is a good stadium is beyond me.

I think the Aviva is a great stadium.

Joe Dixon

I've never encountered anything like the noise generated in the New Orleans Superdome. It just happened to be that it was during the 2009 season when they were on their way to the Superbowl.
It had a lot to do with the shape of the place and the enclosed roof and probably a lot to do with what that season meant to the city of New Orleans.

fryup

anacc wrote: »

How anybody thinks the Aviva is a good stadium is beyond me.

well its miles ahead of the old lansdowne rd, that was just a glorified hay barn with its galvanised roofs...it didn't even have floodlights till 1995 for a national stadium it was embarrassing

ThunderCat

Joe_ Public wrote: »

The old national stadium i referring to, before current one. Always known as the arms park to me anyway. But i wouldnt get into a fight over it!

In fairness you are right, the old stadium was always called the Arms Park by people even though it's official name back then was the National Stadium. And the Millennium Stadium was built on the exact same site, only rotated 90 degrees, and still it's known to a lot of the locals as the Arms Park.

For me, the Bernabeau is the best stadium I've been in.

artanevilla

Favorite stadium for me is Dalymount Park, for emotional reasons more than anything else, I like Richmond Park as well, it's kind of a natural amphitheatre.

Aviva is ok, modern soulless kind of job.
San Siro is a proper stadium, not much in the way of facilities so if you want a hot dog/beer/toilet I couldn't recommend but was there for the Milan Derby and couldn't fault it.
Wembley is probably the best in terms of facilities.

passatman86

My two favourites molineux wolves.
And Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. Elche in Spain stadium - crazy experience walking up to it as its surrounded by a car park and feels massive cause its out on its own
Edit just seen above post - old wooden stand in dalymount was great
Neither the biggest stadium - but their surroundings and colour, atmosphere is great

fryup

artanevilla wrote: »

Wembley is probably the best in terms of facilities.

don't like the new wembley from a TV viewer perspective ..the older one looked more majestic more of a imposing arena imo, the new one looks just like a regular stadium nothing special

artanevilla

fryup wrote: »

don't like the new wembley from a TV viewer perspective ..the older one looked more majestic more of a imposing arena imo, the new one looks just like a regular stadium nothing special

This is the problem with most new stadiums, copy and paste concrete and glass jobs for the most part, replacing character with comfort.

farmchoice

fryup wrote: »

don't like the new wembley from a TV viewer perspective ..the older one looked more majestic more of a imposing arena imo, the new one looks just like a regular stadium nothing special

ya so many new stadiums lack character, all the fancy lights and cladding on the outside dont change the fact that on the inside they all look pretty much the same.
the old stadiums had character if nothing else.
people complain about croke park being only a three quarter stadium but at least the hill end terrace gives it a bit of character and makes it a bit different.

my compliant about it is that they should have finished it properly at the nally end.

the Aviva is ok but once inside it really does lack character plus i find unless you are least 10/12 rows back from the front you are sitting at a level below standing height on the sideline ( if that makes sense) so its a pretty restricted view.

artanevilla

farmchoice wrote: »

ya so many new stadiums lack character, all the fancy lights and cladding on the outside dont change the fact that on the inside they all look pretty much the same.
the old stadiums had character if nothing else.
people complain about croke park being only a three quarter stadium but at least the hill end terrace gives it a bit of character and makes it a bit different.

my compliant about it is that they should have finished it properly at the nally end.

the Aviva is ok but once inside it really does lack character plus i find unless you are least 10/12 rows back from the front you are sitting at a level below standing height on the sideline ( if that makes sense) so its a pretty restricted view.

Croke Park and Lansdowne Road are symbols of Ireland. The North is missing on both....

citytillidie

Been to in no ranking order, and excluding club grounds in Ireland

Anfield (Liverpool) - Can't fault it
Lansdowne Road (Old and New) - Too big for FAI Cup Finals but made the most of 2006 for the last cup final in the old stadium.
St James Park (Newcastle) - 2 Games away end is miles high and really good location being right in the city center.
Stade Saputo & Olympic Stadium (Montreal) - Football ground good for NA, Football in the Olympic stadium was weird big massive space with roof just not right for football.

Arena Centre Bell (Montreal) - Couple of NHL games great craic.

thejuggler

Has anyone been to Pairc Ui chaoimh since it was redeveloped a few years ago? Big investment by all accounts. Only Ed Sheeran and the Liam Miller testimonial has filled it so far.

Captain Havoc

thejuggler wrote: »

Has anyone been to Pairc Ui chaoimh since it was redeveloped a few years ago? Big investment by all accounts. Only Ed Sheeran and the Liam Miller has filled it so far.

Yes twice, very nice stadium.

Motivator

Have been to:

Croke Park - love it on the big days. It can feel a bit lifeless when short of capacity, even by only a couple of thousand.

St. James Park - unbelievable stadium on a big day when the crowd are up for it.

Anfield - decent atmosphere but being surrounded by thousands of scousers ruins it.

Highbury - a special place. Saw Arsenal play Juventus in the Chanpions League.

Rose Bowl - almost stuck to the metal seats in the 90 degree July sun.

Stade Velodrome - marseille is a kip but what a stadium this is. Have been there in the early 2000s before the roof and went back in 2016 for a Euros game in the “new” stadium and it was incredible.

Lansdowne Road - a magical place on a big day. Saw Ireland beat Holland in 2001 and I actually thought the place was going to collapse when McAteer scored. I was also there the night England rolled into town in 1995. A really horrible and scary night. We were directly underneath the English crowd and it was truly terrifying. An old and decrepit stadium but the Aviva will never have the character and the aura that the old Landsdowne had.

Strumms

Motivator wrote: »

Have been to:



I was also there the night England rolled into town in 1995. A really horrible and scary night. We were directly underneath the English crowd and it was truly terrifying. An old and decrepit stadium but the Aviva will never have the character and the aura that the old Landsdowne had.

That was horrible beyond belief, a truly evil and toxic atmosphere from their ‘supporters’ I was there too, scary when the seats were being fired down not a million miles from the schoolboy terrace where we were.... but under as you’ve described must have been heart failure stuff... that was heavy stuff they were firing..

Guy:Incognito

ThunderCat wrote: »

In fairness you are right, the old stadium was always called the Arms Park by people even though it's official name back then was the National Stadium. And the Millennium Stadium was built on the exact same site, only rotated 90 degrees, and still it's known to a lot of the locals as the Arms Park.
.

The Millenium stadium is not the Arms park. The Arms park is still there.



Are people just not reading the words or what?


https://goo.gl/maps/YHBBFNxMdfCvhHTg9


Cardiff Arms Park and the Millenium stadium, side by side.

passatman86

I was at Lansdowne in 95 - bought tickets with my communion money lol. Was in the stand directly opposite the trouble.. Crazy experience

The Lost Sheep

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The Millenium stadium is not the Arms park. The Arms park is still there.

think they know that. You're missing point. Yes Cardiff stadiums is the arms park but old stadium before millennium was the national stadium and also known as the arms park

Guy:Incognito

citytillidie wrote: »

Been to in no ranking order, and excluding club grounds in Ireland

Anfield (Liverpool) - Can't fault it
.

Hasnt been the same since they took the McDonalds out of the Kop.:)

Guy:Incognito

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

think they know that.

They say that but then keep saying its built in the same place the old one was.

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Yes Cardiff stadiums is the arms park but old stadium before millennium was the national stadium and also known as the arms park

No one calls the Millenium/Principality the Arms Park though. The Arms Park is the Arms Park.

PTH2009

Nowlan Park in Killenny is a great place for a concert but by god they didn't prepare well for this year's Bob Dylan show and the ques for the jacks for the pitch standing was horrendous

ollaetta

fryup wrote: »

don't like the new wembley from a TV viewer perspective ..the older one looked more majestic more of a imposing arena imo, the new one looks just like a regular stadium nothing special

Was in the old Wembley for a FA Cup final in the 80s. Iconic place alright but due to the track around the pitch you were miles from the players and I remember a death trap tunnel on one of the ways out that just wouldn't be allowed nowadays.

salmocab

Been to a couple of base ball stadiums. Fenway park in Boston and sky dome in Toronto both great in very different ways. Fenway has the big green monster in the outfield.
Was in a few in Australia but generally as they are cricket and Aussie football they are colossal grand for a sunny day watching cricket but kills atmosphere for other sports.

Montage of Feck

The Olympic stadium in Berlin is a very impressive piece of neo classical architecture with an equally impressive back story.

castletownman

Generally only au fait with the GAA stadiums- both Nowlan Park and Semple Stadium are wonderful on a bright sunny day for a championship hurling match. Croke Park is great when the atmosphere is fervent, but a bit soulless when the crowd is low.

Only ever at the old Lansdowne road once, for a friendly, so haven't experienced a soccer stadium at all. Although that will change in three weeks when I visit the New White Hart Lane for a PL game. I have heard it is meant to be wonderful.

alchemist33

Zaph wrote: »

I'm guessing you're going for a Seahawks game. Don't know if it's the same, but before the Sounders games there's a fan parade to the stadium with bands and stuff that's great fun and it really helps build the atmosphere. It starts about an hour and a half before kick-off from Pioneer Square. Might be worth checking out if they do something similar for the Seahawks.

Will have a look for that, thanks

PTH2009

All the modern stadiums seem to be designed off one another. Similar concourses etc

The Bertie bowl would of been some job tbh

fatbhoy

Outside of Ireland, I've been to:
- White Heart Lane in 1986 (Spurs v Watford, First Division)
- Celtic Park in 1986 (Celtic v Shamrock Rovers, European Cup)
- Estádio do Morumbi (Sao Paulo) 2016 (Sao Paulo v Corinthians, Brasil League)
- Maracanã Stadium (Rio) 2016 (Flamengo v Curitiba, Brasil League)

Since both Spurs and Celtic's ground were old fashioned, the best was a toss-up between Morumbi and Maracanã. Morumbi wins for the oval walkway inside the stadium under the stands, and Maracanã wins for the pitch-side stadium part itself: the pitch and stands/seating-area.

I'll vote for Morumbi. Both the Morumbi and Maracanã were better than the new Landsdowne Road (I'm against calling it The Aviva: corporate bolloxology).

simongurnick

salmocab wrote: »

Been to a couple of base ball stadiums. Fenway park in Boston and sky dome in Toronto both great in very different ways. Fenway has the big green monster in the outfield.
Was in a few in Australia but generally as they are cricket and Aussie football they are colossal grand for a sunny day watching cricket but kills atmosphere for other sports.

Big jays fan and been to skydome many times but its a bit of a behemoth. Love the old ball parks like wrigley field and san frans stadium with a view of the bay and ivy on the outfield fence. Havent been to either! Always loved landsdowne. Got to the three swan in niigata during 02 world cup...really cool. 'Best of all though was terryland park in the early 90s!

PTH2009

Heard baseball is a **** of a sport to watch live

simongurnick

PTH2009 wrote: »

Heard baseball is a **** of a sport to watch live

First game i went to had one run in the 9th inning and was torture...but i didnt know the rules, players etc. No vested interest. Years later i have got into the game and love to go, but if you were just doing it as a tourist thing, i wouldnt bother. Very slow paced when you havent a clue what is actually happening

Captain Havoc

PTH2009 wrote: »

Nowlan Park in Killenny is a great place for a concert but by god they didn't prepare well for this year's Bob Dylan show and the ques for the jacks for the pitch standing was horrendous

That was a horrendous experience, I nearly peed on someone. I probably would have been quicker walking home to have a pee and back.

salmocab

PTH2009 wrote: »

Heard baseball is a **** of a sport to watch live

It’s an odd one, game is quite slow but there is lots going on with cheer leaders, the seventh inning stretch and take me out to the ball game. Not sure how often I’d go if I lived there but it’s worth an evening if your there and a game is on.

babybuilder

San Mames in Bilbao Saw Barcelona v Athetico. Brand new stadium. Right in city. Fantastic atmosphere.

recyclops

have lucky enough to go to a fair few stadiums over the years, loved walked across the trent bridge to the city ground even though i was never a forest fan. Been to Old Trafford too many times to count and seen it go from single tier all the way round to what it is now which to be honest has been impressive ( unfortunately the atmosphere has got worse). When going to united games i would if possible go to other stadiums nearby so also grew found of the closeness of Boundary Park in Oldham.

Although none of them came close to the matchday experience of the San Paolo in Naples, myself and my wife visited recently on our honeymoon and whilst the stadium does have a running track which i hate the actual noise from the fans and the sense of community in the ground was unrivalled. The stadium is showing its age and really hasnt been touched since Italia 90 but i would recommend all football fans to get over at least once.

The Golden Miller

The Mestalla. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. Only about a 50,000 seater, but it's a towering stadium. The steepness is like a cliff face

Motivator

Strumms wrote: »

That was horrible beyond belief, a truly evil and toxic atmosphere from their ‘supporters’ I was there too, scary when the seats were being fired down not a million miles from the schoolboy terrace where we were.... but under as you’ve described must have been heart failure stuff... that was heavy stuff they were firing..

We were at the back of the stand, not in any danger of getting hit with anything but I remember the fear of waiting for them to come down the stairs and start dishing out hidings. There were quite a few lads around us that wanted to go up the stairs to get at the English fans but the guards did a good job that night to be fair to them.

I remember walking in to Landsdowne across the dart line before the game and it was a horrible atmosphere. It was a miracle nobody was killed. It was great to hear that on their way down to the boats with the English after the match, the guards and some of the locals that hung around were able to dish out quite a few hidings to a good few English.

irishguitarlad

The Estadio Benito Villamarín and the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan, both in Seville.

Soulsun

Metropolitano in Madrid
Celtic Park
Croke Park on all Ireland final day

mikemac2

Certainly not the best but the wackiest was Kenilworth Rd, home of Luton town FC

It's as if it is built by lego haphazardly over the decades. The corporate boxes take up one side but no space for fans. There simply is no overall design to the place

To enter the away end you walk through a former terraced house and then up the stairs where you can spy into the neighbours garden. I wonder if they get free season tickets or something as compo. Its mad I tell ya.


A great day out and it will be gone in 6 months is Griffen Park, west london home of Brentford FC. A pub on every corner they say and it is true! Great pre match buildup. Catch it if you can before its gone in May 2020