The top 10 most expensive stadiums in world football revealed
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The top 10 most expensive stadiums in world football contains two English grounds - but neither compares to a US stadium built at an eye-watering cost.
The biggest stadiums in the world have to be built at a high cost, given the infrastructure and size involved.
The stadium with the highest capacity is reportedly the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, which holds a staggering 150,000 people.
Costs can differ greatly depending on the type of stadium built, and whether there are hospitality areas or other facilities on-site.
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There is, though, a noticeable theme throughout the top 10 list that illustrates the potential that football has in one particular country.
Here is the full list, starting from the 10th most expensive stadium and counting down to number one.
10) Levi's Stadium (United States) - $1.3 billion
Situated in San Jose, California, Levi's Stadium is largely used for NFL games but does host football as well.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the footballing giants to have played at the stadium during pre-season matches, while the 75,000-capacity ground has played host to three MLS matches featuring the San Jose Earthquakes.
Built at a pre-inflation cost of $1.3 billion, Levi's Stadium will also host several matches at the 2026 World Cup.
9) Singapore National Stadium (Singapore) - $1.31 billion
The Singapore National Stadium, opened in 2015, has a capacity of 55,000 for football matches and also hosts rugby, cricket and athletics.
It has hosted Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal and the Brazil national team, and was built at a cost of just over $1.3 billion.
On Wednesday, Tottenham defeated Lion City Sailors 5-1 at the stadium, with Liverpool hosting Leicester on Sunday.
8) Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (England) - $1.33 billion
Tottenham's new home comes in at eighth place on this list, having hosted Spurs and a select number of NFL games since it opened in 2019.
A multi-purpose stadium, it features a dividing and retractable football pitch, making it suitable to host other sports and concerts. It cost around $1.33 billion to build.
7) AT&T Stadium (United States) - $1.48 billion
The second-oldest stadium on this list in terms of opening time, the AT&T Stadium is situated in Arlington, Texas, and hosts NFL franchise Dallas Cowboys. It cost $1.48 billion, as per ESPN.
It holds 80,000 people but that capacity can be extended to 100,000, and it is due to host games at the 2026 World Cup.
It hosted the pre-season International Champions Cup between top European clubs in 2018, and an El Clasico 'friendly' between Real Madrid and Barcelona last month.
6) Yankee Stadium (United States) - $1.5 billion
Built in New York, the Yankee Stadium was built at a staggering cost of $1.5 billion (as per Field of Schemes), and hosts both MLS franchise New York City and MLB franchise New York Yankees.
It currently holds a capacity of 28,743 people for football matches, although that is expandable to a total of 47,309. The stadium is not approved for CONCACAF matches, however.
5) Wembley Stadium (England) - $1.5 billion
The new Wembley was re-opened in 2007 after the original ground was demolished between 2002 and 2003, as per The Telegraph.
It was originally due to re-open in 2004, but a series of delays and other issues meant cup and play-off finals were moved to the Millennium Stadium in the intervening period.
Overall, the cost is said to be $1.5 billion, and the ground now hosts cup finals, international matches, concerts, boxing and NFL matches.
4) Mercedes-Benz Stadium (United States) - $1.5 billion
Another multi-purpose stadium on this list, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atalanta, Georgia is estimated to have cost $1.5 billion, as per Sports Illustrated.
With a capacity of 71,000, the stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2019, and MLS franchise Atalanta United currently play their home games there.
3) MetLife Stadium (United States) - $1.7 billion
Primarily used for NFL matches involving the two New York franchises, the MetLife Stadium is also built to host football.
Retractable seating was utilised in the design to allow for football matches to take place, and it hosted Manchester United's 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona and the Brazil national team have played there.
Away from football, the MetLife Stadium also hosted WWE's WrestleMania 35 - the first WrestleMania to have a women's main event and the last to date to be held over one night.
2) Allegiant Stadium (United States) - $1.9 billion
Opened in 2020, the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, has already hosted 10 football matches, with several of those involving the USA or Mexico national teams. It cost $1.9 billion, as per Fox Business.
It will have hosted two more by the end of July, with Manchester United taking on Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan facing Barcelona.
The stadium houses NFL franchise Las Vegas Raiders. It also hosted WWE's SummerSlam premium live event in 2021.
1) SoFi Stadium (United States) - $5.5 billion
The most expensive stadium on this list by some margin is the SoFi Stadium, situated in Los Angeles, California. It cost a staggering $5.5 billion to build, as per The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan.
The stadium is co-owned by Kroenke Sports Entertainment - the owners of Arsenal - and is part of a neighbourhood design build known as Hollywood Park.
It is enlisted to host a series of elite sporting events, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
With an expandable capacity of 100,000, the stadium has already hosted four football matches, including Arsenal's 5-3 win over Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Wembley Stadium, Football, NFL, WWE
