Ten super stadiums (with astronomical costs) that will mark the coming years
Billion-dollar projects for clubs such as Manchester United, Flamengo, Roma, and in countries such as the USA and Saudi Arabia; stages with a capacity for 115,000 people and costs of… 8 billion euros
More and more clubs are interested in renovating their stadiums, in order to generate more income and provide a better experience for their fans, but not all have the capacity to invest.Manchester United , Flamengo and Roma are some of the teams that have a great long-term project, but there are also surprising names on this list.
10 – National Stadium of Serbia
One example doesn’t even concern a club: Serbia, which aims to build a stadium for its national team and is willing to spend a total of one million euros, according to StadiumDB . This is, without a doubt, the biggest investment in the history of sport in Serbian territory, which will have capacity for 52 thousand people. The plan began in 2019, but was delayed by the pandemic, with the hope of completing it by the end of 2026. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has revealed that this will be the venue for the 2027/28 UEFA Europa League final after speaking to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
9 – Roma Stadium
Next we have the Roma project, in which the number of spectators increases to 56 thousand, as well as the costs, estimated at over 1.1 billion, according to Gazzetta dello Sport . The final presentation of the project is scheduled for April 21, after several obstacles that led to several postponements. The stadium was planned to open in the club’s centenary year, in 2027, but the owners revealed that it should only be ready in 2028.
8 – Stadium of the Future (Jacksonville Jaguars)
In eighth place, with 63,000 seats, is the new stadium of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. This is just one of three American football team locations on this list, and the cheapest, targeting $1.5 billion, according to the team itself. The owners approved the plan in 2024 and construction is due to begin this year, with the possibility of a conditional move until 2027, while the work is completed, or adopting a borrowed house , also being studied . It is also worth mentioning that in University Football games the capacity can increase to 71 thousand seats.
7 – Burnham Park (Chicago Bears)
Right after that we have the Chicago Bears, with similar figures in relation to spectators (65 thousand), although the cost is much higher: 2.5 billion, according to the team itself. The owners believe this will create a huge and immediate economic impact on Chicago, so they are willing to pay 70% of that amount. Construction will begin this summer and the opening is scheduled for three years from now. Just like the Jaguars’ stadium, this stadium will also have the necessary technology to, for example, lower or increase the temperature by 15 degrees.
6 – Bank of America Stadium (Caroline Panthers)
The Caroline Panthers also want to renovate their stadium, now holding 75,000 spectators, in a project that will cost 2 billion, according to the club itself. New Bank of America Stadium has been the NFL team’s home for the past 30 years in Charlotte, and will continue to be so, especially since the initial goal was to build a new stadium, but due to legal issues, this idea was completely abandoned.
5 – The Cathedral (Inter e Milan)
Returning to football, we have the case of Inter and Milan, rivals who currently share San Siro, but who have a plan to build a new stadium: The Cathedral. They would go from around 76 thousand seats to… 70 thousand, leaving the historic stage, which is almost 100 years old, in 2026, and which will be demolished. The cost is estimated at €1.3 billion, according to Gazzetta dello Sport , and the fruits will only be reaped in 2029/30, although the plans began more than five years ago. Naturally, they encountered many problems ahead.
4 – Flamengo Stadium
Flamengo , the only South American club on this list, has plans to leave the Maracanã, shared with Fluminense , and build a 60-meter-high stadium with a capacity for 78,000 people. The project was presented at the end of last year and the works are expected to be completed on November 15, 2029. The costs are not expected to exceed one billion euros, according to Globo Esporte , although the former management had in mind lower values, but it was quickly realized that this would not be possible.
3 – King Salman International Stadium (Saudi Arabia)
In the top 3 stadiums with the highest number of spectators is the King Salman International Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which will undoubtedly be the most expensive in the world: it is estimated that it could reach 8 billion euros (!), according to StadiumDB . This stage is part of the great Saudi project, with a view to the 2034 World Cup. It is expected to be built by 2029 and will have a capacity of 92 thousand people. This will also be the new home of the Saudi national team and probably the big stage for the World Cup final.
2 – Future Old Trafford (Manchester United)
Returning to European football, but only briefly, Manchester United also has a plan to replace Old Trafford, while keeping the name, in an operation that will cost around 2 billion euros, according to the English press, which also states that this new stadium could generate around 7 billion euros for the country’s economy. The costs will be lower compared to the previous one, but the number of seats will increase: 100 thousand people! However, there is also the possibility of remodelling the current stadium, but in that situation the increase in capacity would not be as significant, from 76 thousand seats to 87 thousand. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of United, has already spoken about the subject and explained that the first option is the one that offers the most benefits, but the final decision will only be made in the summer.
1 – Hassan II Stadium (Marrocos)
Finally, in Morocco , the goal is to build one of the largest stadiums in the world, the Hassan II, with capacity for 115,000 fans, in Benslimane, near Casablanca. However, the cost is unlikely to exceed €700 million, figures lower than all other venues on this list, according to StadiumDB . This will be one of the Moroccan stadiums for the 2030 World Cup , a competition in which the African country joined Portugal and Spain to host the tournament. Construction begins this year and is scheduled to end in 2028, just in time for the long-awaited World Cup.
