The 5 Oldest Football Stadiums in Europe: Age and Capacity

Football stadiums are not just fields and stands – they are iconic urban landmarks. Some arenas have witnessed more than a century of football history and still host matches today. These temples of football preserve the spirit of past eras while continuing to write new chapters in sporting history, uniting generations of fans under their roofs.

Bramall Lane (Sheffield, England)

• Opened: 1855 (football since 1862)
• Capacity: ~32,000
• Club: Sheffield United

Located in the Highfield district, just south of Sheffield city centre, Bramall Lane is steeped in the city’s industrial history. Originally built as a cricket ground, it was converted into a football venue in the 19th century. In 1878, it hosted England’s first international match outside London. Today, it is rightly regarded as one of the oldest professional football stadiums in the world still in use. Highfield itself has its own football landmarks – most notably The Cricketers Arms, a Victorian pub where Sheffield United fans traditionally gather before every home game. For many supporters, it has become as iconic as the stadium itself.

Ülker Stadyumu (Istanbul, Turkey)

• Opened: 1908
• Capacity: ~47,000
• Club: Fenerbahçe SK

For many foreigners, Istanbul is one of the most popular cities in the world for buying real estate overseas, but for football fans it is the “home” of three giants: Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Fenerbahçe. One of Turkey’s oldest active arenas, the Ülker Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi, is located in Kadıköy, on the Asian side of the city. In 2009, it hosted the final of the UEFA Cup – the last before the competition was rebranded as the Europa League. Right next to the stadium stands the legendary Fenerbahçe Museum, as well as the iconic Rexx Café, where fans discuss matches over traditional Turkish tea. Together, these places have become inseparable from the football culture of Kadıköy.

Olympiastadion (Berlin, Germany)

• Built: 1936
• Capacity: ~74,000
• Club: Hertha BSC

Opened for the 1936 Olympic Games, Berlin’s Olympiastadion remains one of the defining examples of 20th-century sports architecture. It has hosted some of football’s biggest events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final and the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final. Nearby stands the Olympic Bell, a 9.6-ton monument cast especially for the 1936 Olympics. On matchdays, it is a traditional meeting point where fans stop to take photos before entering the arena.

Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa, Italy)

• Opened: 1911
• Capacity: ~33,000
• Clubs: Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria

Nicknamed simply “Ferraris,” this is one of Italy’s oldest stadiums. It was inaugurated in the working-class Marassi district, known for its narrow streets and tightly packed apartment blocks. The stadium has hosted matches at two FIFA World Cups – in 1934 and 1990. The atmosphere here is unique: the stands are built close to the pitch, creating the feeling of a “football box” and making the pressure from the fans almost overwhelming for visiting teams. Just a few streets away, the historic Osteria del Borgo serves Ligurian specialties. Remarkably, it’s one of the rare places where supporters of both clubs peacefully dine together after the city’s fierce derby.

Estádio do Bessa Século XXI (Porto, Portugal)

• Originally opened: 1911
• Capacity: ~28,000
• Club: Boavista FC

Located in the Boavista district of western Porto, this stadium first opened in 1911 and was completely rebuilt for UEFA Euro 2004, while keeping its historical roots. The area is known for its modern residential blocks and proximity to the city’s business centre. Estádio do Bessa hosted matches during Euro 2004 and is considered one of the coziest and most intimate stadiums in Portugal. Nearby is the Casa da Guitarra, a shop-museum dedicated to Portuguese guitars. Many fans stop in before games to listen to the sounds of traditional fado music, adding a cultural touch to their matchday routine.