All over the world, once vibrant football stadiums now stand empty, others started construction but never finished. Here’s a look at ten of these amazing, abandoned stadiums and the stories behind their demise:
1. Nou Mestalla – Valencia, Spain
Valencia CF began construction on Nou Mestalla in 2007, envisioning a 50,000-seat stadium that would replace the historic Mestalla Stadium. However, the project stalled just two years later due to the financial crisis that hit the club hard. Now, nearly 16 years later, Nou Mestalla remains an unfinished shell. Recent reports offer some hope that construction may restart, but as of now, it stands as a symbol of ambitious dreams left unfulfilled.
2. Astrodome – Houston, USA
Although not exclusively a football stadium, the Astrodome is legendary in sports history. Once hailed as an architectural marvel, it was the first domed stadium of its kind when it opened in 1965. Today, it remains closed, with efforts to repurpose or redevelop it stalled, leaving it a lonely relic of a past era.
3. Estádio Olímpico Monumental – Porto Alegre, Brazil
This iconic stadium was the home of Grêmio until 2012 when the team moved to the modern Arena do Grêmio. Since then, Estádio Olímpico Monumental has stood idle, its stands empty and its future uncertain, as locals remember its heyday as a fortress for the club.
4. Stadio Flaminio – Rome, Italy
Built for the 1960 Olympics, Stadio Flaminio hosted football matches and even rugby events, including a World Cup match. Decades of neglect have left the structure in a dilapidated state, and debates continue over whether to restore or demolish it.
5. Selman Stermasi Stadium – Tirana, Albania
Home to Albania’s most decorated club, KF Tirana, since 1956, Selman Stermasi Stadium has aged into disrepair. Without significant renovations, it now stands unused as the team alternates between various stadiums, leaving fans nostalgic for the once-glorious venue.
6. Stadio Sant’Elia – Cagliari, Italy
Once a vibrant venue, Sant’Elia fell into disuse due to its inability to meet modern safety and comfort standards. Deteriorating conditions and high maintenance costs ultimately led to its abandonment, paving the way for a new stadium project for Cagliari Calcio.
7. Guangzhou Evergrande Stadium – Guangzhou, China
Construction on this enormous 100,000-seat stadium began in April 2020, backed by the Evergrande Group, one of China’s biggest property developers. But Evergrande’s financial collapse left the stadium only partially built. In 2021, the Chinese government seized the site, and by 2022, construction had halted entirely, leaving cranes and half-built stands abandoned.
8. Donbass Arena –- Donetsk, Ukraine
Donbass Arena, once the pride of Donetsk, suffered severe damage during the Donbass conflict in 2014. Almost a decade later, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the future of this once-impressive stadium remains bleak, its fate tied to the uncertain future of the region.
9. Stadion Za Luzankami – Brno, Czech Republic
Opened in 1953 with a capacity of 50,000, this stadium was once the proud home of FC Zbrojovka Brno. However, the stadium closed in 2001 when it no longer met FIFA standards. Now overgrown and neglected, it stands as a reminder of Czech football’s golden era.
10. Stadio Olimpico – Sicily, Italy
Planned in 1985 as a 20,000-seat Olympic stadium and initially intended as a polo ground, the stadium was left unfinished when funding ran dry. Though unused for its intended purpose, the locals now use the grounds for casual football, and runners circle its crumbling track.
