Soccer is the world's most popular sport. Fans all over the globe literally live and die by their teams, and some countries have actually gone to war over it - all this for a sport which requires little more in the way of equipment than two feet and a ball. Experience the thrills, the passion, the artistry and the unparalleled dedication of soccer fans worldwide by taking a brief look at the world's best soccer stadiums. Note that the season in most European leagues begins in the fall and carries into early spring, while in Latin America the situation is reversed, with play beginning in the spring.
Estadio Vasco da Gama
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The English may have invented the sport, but none would dispute that el jogo Bonito (the beautiful game) has found its true home in Brazil. Estadio Vasco da Gama, an intimate 40,000-seat stadium, is the home ground for Rio de Janeiro's Vasco da Gama soccer club, one of the most successful in all of Brazil.
What's Cool: Vasco played an instrumental role in breaking the color barrier in Brazilian soccer by signing players of African descent in the 1920s.
Olympic Stadium
Munich, Germany
The Olympiastadion, home to FC Bayern Munich, is one of the most recognizable stadiums in the world. Built in 1972 for the Olympic Games, its most characteristic feature is the curving glass roof that rings the stadium. Not only is the stadium cool, but the tenants - FC Bayern Munich - have been known to put on a show for the fans. Bayern were the 2000 German league champions and remain soccer-fan favorites despite unluckily losing the European Championships to the eventual champions, Real Madrid.
What's Cool: This stadium is a work of art with a roof that needs to be seen to be believed.
Stamford Bridge
London, England
Chelsea Football Club play smack dab in the middle of swinging London, home to many trendy bars and restaurants. The stadium, called Stamford Bridge, was built in 1904 and offers a cozy atmosphere with a capacity of only 28,000. On the field, Chelsea aims to please, and the club has been accused of valuing showmanship more than winning. No matter what the motive, there is no doubt that this soccer is exciting to watch. The Bridge is a stylish stadium for a stylish team.
What's Cool: It's like Fenway Park, only with action and noise included.
Ibrox Stadium
Glasgow, Scotland
A trip to the cold north of Britain to see the Glasgow Rangers Football Club is sure to "put some hairs on yer wee chest." At Ibrox, 50,500 Rangers fanatics have created one of the most fervent, electric match-day atmospheres in the entire world, and it's worth a look. Although fans of cross-town rival Glasgow Celtic will beg to differ (will insist on differing, in fact), Rangers FC are the class leaders of Scottish soccer, having won multiple titles.
What's Cool: Rangers fans love to sing, and their songs are just that -- actual songs with melodies, not chants.
La Bombonera
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires is known throughout the world for two things -- the tango and the Boca Juniors soccer team. And as far as Boca's avid, working-class fans are concerned, the two are one in the same. La Bombonera (in English, "the candy dish") will never win any beauty prizes, and fans used to North American and European stadium amenities will feel out of place here. Instead, what visitors will find is the passion that makes soccer the most popular sport in the world.
What's Cool: Boca forward Martin Palermo seems to think of a unique celebration every time he scores a goal, and he scores a lot of goals.
San Siro
Milan, Italy
San Siro has the good fortune to be the home of two of the biggest sports teams in the world: AC Milan and Internazionale (better known simply as "Inter"). The rectangular stadium, which seats 85,500, has a distinctive Plexiglas roof supported by huge concrete cylinders at each corner. The fan culture in Italy is the best in the world -- choreographed chants, massive banners covering the entire deck of San Siro, and fireworks and flares after a scored goal are just some of the facets of a typical Italian league game.
What's Cool: The fans, the fans, and the fans: the most spirited in the world -- often imitated, never copied.
Nou Camp
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and FC Barcelona is the de facto Catalonian national team. The matches against rival Real Madrid stir up nationalistic passions throughout the region, the result of a schism dating at least to the Spanish Civil War and the autocratic regime of General Francisco Franco. Barcelona has the biggest and richest sports team in the world that plays in the grandest stadium in Europe, the 118,000 seat Nou Camp. Nearly all of the world's best players have displayed their skills at Nou Camp, and if they haven't, they probably dream of doing so some day.
What's Cool: If you attend only one soccer game in your lifetime, see FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid at Nou Camp in Barcelona.
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