Key facts

Club: none | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 40,000 seats

History and description

Al Thumama Stadium is one of the newly built stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Construction of the stadium began in 2017 and took over four years. Al Thumama Stadium officially opened on 22 October 2021 with the 49th Amir Cup Final between Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan (1-1).

The stadium’s circular design has been inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven cap that is commonly worn by men across the Middle East.

During the World Cup, Al Thumama Stadium will host five first round group matches, one round of 16 match, and one quarter-final. The stadium is also one of the playing venues of the 2021 Arab Cup.

After the World Cup, capacity will be reduced to 20,000 seats by removing the upper tier.

How to get to Al Thumama Stadium

Al Thumama Stadium is located in the south of Doha, about 7 kilometres south of central Doha (the Souq Waqif area).

The stadium is not close to a metro station so either take a taxi or a local bus (or use special shuttle arrangements for the event). If taking the bus, catch bus 10 from Al Ghanim Bus Station near Souq Waqif. The stadium is at almost the end of the line at Al Thumama Bus Stop 7.

Of the 2022 World Cup Stadiums, Al Thumama Stadium is one of the closes located to Hamad International Airport.

Eat, drink, and sleep near Al Thumama Stadium

Al Thumama Stadium is located in the Al Thumama area in southern Doha, a relatively bland residential neighbourhood of little interest.

There are few if any places to eat or drink near the stadium and neither are there any hotels. If picking a hotel as close as possible to the stadium is your aim, go for one of the many options on the southern side of the Corniche in and around the Souq Waqif area. Click here for an overview of hotels.

Images of Al Thumama Stadium

Useful websites

Visitqatar.qa – Qatar tourist information.

Al Thumama Stadium

Key facts

Club: PFC Ludogorets | Opening: 1954 | Capacity: 10,471 seats

History and description

Huvepharma Arena, also known as Ludogorets Arena, got built in the 1950s, though the current stadium took shape in the 2010s following the rise of Ludogorets after its takeover by entrepreneur Kiril Domuschiev.

As soon as the club promoted to the top league in 2011, works began to upgrade the stadium, a process that took until 2018.

The first new stand got completed in 2011, followed by new stands in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

How to get to the Huvepharma Arena

The Huvepharma Arena is located in the north of the small city of Razgrad at just under a kilometer from its city centre. It’s a short 10-minute walk from the iconic clock tower in the centre.

Razgrad is located in the north-east of Bulgaria. The nearest large city is Varna on the Black Sea coast, about 120 kilometres away. Sofia lies over 300 kilometres away.

Razgrad’s train station is located north out of the city about 5 kilometers from the city centre. There is one daily direct train from Varna and Sofia (a night train in case of the latter), though it is a slow journey (3hrs from Varna and over 8hrs from Sofia).

Buses are an alternative. Razgrad’s bus station is located just east of the centre.

Address: Bul. Vasil Levski 43, 7200 Razgrad

Ludogorets Tickets

Ludogorest tickets can be bought online, or at Ludogorets’ training centre on the southern edge of the city.

On the day of the match, tickets can be bought at the ticket point at Vasil Levski Blvd a few hundred meters south of the stadium

Tickets range in price from BGN 8.00-10.00 for the stands behind the goal to BGN 15.00 for the central seats of the stands on either side.

Useful websites

Ludogorest.com – Official website of PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.

Photo credits: IAmCrisWTF513

Huvepharma Arena

Key facts

Clubs: HJK Helsinki & HIFK | Opening: 2000 | Capacity: 10,770 seats

History and description

The Bolt Arena, also known as Töölö Football Stadium, was built in place of the old Helsinki Football Ground that had stood at the same site. It was built to provide Helsinki with a modern football stadium.

Construction of the stadium began in 1999 and it took just under a year to complete. It opened in June 2000 with a league match between HJK and Jokerit (0-3).

In 2015, HIFK announced that they would move into the stadium following their promotion to Finland’s top league.

The stadium has had various sponsor names over the years, including Finnair Stadium, Sonera Stadium, Telia5G-areena and since 2020 Bolt Arena.

How to get to the Bolt Arena

The Bolt Arena is located towards the north of Helsinki next to Helsinki Olympic Stadium at just over 2 kilometres from central Helsinki and its main railway station.

The walk north along Helsinki’s main boulevard Mannerheimintie takes about 30 minutes.

Alternatively, take one of the various tram lines that run along Mannerheimintie, which include tram 2, 4, and 10. Tram 2 takes a slightly longer route. Take any of the lines from Helsinki’s main railway station or elsewhere in the city centre, e.g. Senaatintori (tram 2 and 4) near Helsinki Cathedral.

If you arrive in Helsinki by ferry at the Western Terminals from Tallinn, first catch tram 7 or 9 into the centre and change to one of the above lines at Helsinki main railway station.

Address: Urheilukatu 5, 00250 Helsinki

Eat, drink, and sleep near the Bolt Arena

The Bolt Arena is located in the Taka-Töölö area just north of central Helsinki. It is a relatively well-off area with a lot of green and plenty of restaurants and cafes around for a bite.

The stadium itself is part of a sports complex including Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

There are two large hotels a short 10-minute walk away from the stadium: the Crown Plaza Helsinki and Scandic Park Helsinki. Both lie next to each other on the way to the city centre so you’re just as quick in Helsinki’s city centre.

Otherwise, there are plenty of other options in Helsinki’s centre from which it is easy to get to the stadium. Click here for an overview of hotels near the Bolt Arena and here for other options in Helsinki.

HJK Helsinki Tickets

HJK tickets can be bought online, or at the ticket windows of the stadium on the day of the match.

Tickets cost either €20.00 or €30.00 for the main stand. Tickets are €5.00 more expensive if bought on the day at the stadium.

HJK only sell out in exceptional circumstances and tickets will be easily available for a typical league match.

HIFK Tickets

HIFK tickets can be bought online through Lippu or at the ticket windows of the stadium before the start of the match.

HIFK never sell out, but tickets are €5.00 cheaper if bought online in advance.

Tickets cost €11.00, €20.00, or €25.00 if bought in advance.

Photos of the Bolt Arena

Useful websites

Hjk.fi – HJK Helsinki official website.
Hifkfotboll.fi – HIFK official website.
Myhelsinki.fi – Helsinki tourism information.

Bolt Arena

Key facts

Club: Austin FC | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 20,738 seats

History and description

Q2 Stadium is the recently opened stadium of MLS expansion club Austin FC. Plans for the stadium were made as part of a bid to attract an MLS team to Austin. Initially this was a possible move of Columbus Crew to the city, but this later became a new expansion team.

Plans for the stadium were approved in the middle of 2019 and soon after construction works began.

Q2 Stadium officially opened on 16 June 2021 with a match between the US Women’s National Team and Nigeria (2-0). Three days later, Austin FC kicked off their first match at the stadium versus San Jose (0-0). The stadium came at a cost of $260 million.

In early 2021, the stadium announced a naming rights sponsorship deal with fintech firm Q2 resulting in the name Q2 Stadium.

How to get to Q2 Stadium

Q2 Stadium is located in the north of Austin about 10 miles north of downtown Austin. It lies just south of The Domain area, a recent development serving as Austin’s second downtown with lots of (high-end) shops and restaurants.

The stadium is an easy walk from anywhere in The Domain area that takes at most 30 minutes. There is therefore also plenty of parking near the stadium or anywhere in The Domain area, though for the official parking areas directly near the stadium you need to buy a parking ticket in advance.

You can also get to the stadium by public transport with the Metro Rail 550 service that connects downtown Austin with the north of the city. Kramer station lies a 10-minute walk away from Q2 Stadium.

It’s a 30-minute journey from downtown Austin to Kramer. It’s a commuter service so trains run infrequently outside rush hours, but extra trains run on matchdays including trains at later hours to make sure you will make it back.

In 2023, McKalla Place station that will be located even closer to stadium will open.

Address: 10414 Mc Kalla Place, Austin, TX 78758

Austin FC Tickets

Austin FC tickets can be bought online through Seatgeek. Tickets are dynamically priced, but expect to pay $50.00 for the cheapest tickets in the corners.

Photos of Q2 Stadium

Useful websites

Austinfc.com – Official website of Austin FC.
Austintexas.org – Texas tourist information.

Q2 Stadium

Key facts

Club: FC Cincinnati | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 26,000 (3,170 standing)

History and description

TQL Stadium is the recently opened new home of FC Cincinnati. The stadium was part of Cincinnati’s proposal to join the MLS that was submitted in early 2017, just over a year after FC Cincinnati was founded.

The project was confirmed in 2018 when the MLS selected Cincinnati as one of the expansion teams. The club settled on the site of an existing high school stadium in the West End district, which would get demolished.

Construction works started in April 2019, and the stadium officially opened just over 2 years later on 1 May 2021 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The first match was played two weeks later on 16 May when Cincinnati hosted a MLS match versus Inter Miami (2-3). Brek Shea scored the first goal at the stadium.

Before FC Cincinnati moved to TQL Stadium, the club played its home games at Nippert Stadium of the University of Cincinnati.

TQL Stadium is fully covered. It has a capacity of 26,000, amongst the highest of the soccer-specific stadiums in the USA, including over 4,500 premium seats. The stadium furthermore has a safe standing section of just over 3 thousand seats.

The stadium received its name from a naming rights sponsorship deal with the company Total Quality Logistics (TQL).

How to get to TQL Stadium

TQL Stadium is centrally located in the West End neighbourhood just west of Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine district, which in turn lies just north of downtown Cincinnati.

It is at most 15 minutes walking from any place in the Over-the-Rhine district to the stadium. The walk from Fountain Square in the middle of Downtown takes 20 minutes.

Address: 1501 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214

FC Cincinnati Tickets

FC Cincinnati tickets can be bought online through Seatgeek. Tickets are priced dynamically, but expect to pay from $35.00 for the cheapest upper corner seats.

Email tickets@fccincinnati.com for more information.

Useful websites

Fccincinnati.com – Official website of FC Cincinnati.
Cincinnatiusa.com – Cincinnati tourist information.

Photo credits: Travis Estell

TQL Stadium

Madrid Football – in numbers

No. of major clubs in Madrid*: 4
No. of major clubs in Madrid metro area*: 9
No. of major clubs in Madrid wider region*: 11

Average stadium capacity Madrid metro: 23,732
Largest stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (81,044)
Smallest stadium: Estadio Cerro del Espino (3,500)

Inhabitants Madrid metro area: 6.9 mln
Inhabitants per club: 764,667
Inhabitants per stadium seat: 32.2

* Clubs in the top two leagues or that have played in the highest two divisions in the recent past.

Which stadiums to pick

Whether you prefer the iconic Bernabeu or the passion of the Atletico fans at the Wanda Metropolitano, make sure to catch at least a match at one of Madrid’s two major stadiums.

Rayo, a proper working class club in a dense Madrid neighbourhood, will also be a favourite for many, but also Leganes and Getafe offer a charming football experience.

Finally, there are a number of smaller grounds, mostly dotted around the suburbs, for the purists that fancy a lower-league match in front of a small crowd.

There are relatively few grounds in the wider region, but Toledo is a splendid city well worth a visit that could be combined with a match at the Salto del Caballo.

Madrid Stadiums

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Club: Real Madrid | Opening: 1947 | Capacity: 81,044

Wanda Metropolitano

Club: Atletico de Madrid | Opening: 2017 | Capacity: 68,000 seats

Estadio de Vallecas

Club: Rayo Vallecano | Opening: 1976 | Capacity: 14,708 seats

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano

Club: Real Madrid Castilla | Opening: 2006 | Capacity: 6,000 seats

Madrid football – getting around

Madrid has an extensive public transport network consisting of the metro, the Cercania commuter trains, and buses, though the latter are generally not required to get to any ground.

The major Madrid stadiums, the Bernabeu, Wanda Metropolitano, and Vallecas, are all easily reached by metro. Estadio Alfredo di Stefano is best reached by Cercania train.

The stadiums in the southern suburbs (Getafe, Leganes, and Fuenlabrada) are also on the metro, though are quicker to reach by Cercania train. Alcorcon and Guadalajara are also easy to reach by Cercania, as is Majadahonda, though to then reach Estadio Cerro del Espino a further half-hour walk or bus ride is needed. To get to Toledo, catch a train.

Madrid Metro Area Stadiums

Coliseum Alfonso Perez

Club: Getafe | Opening: 1998 | Capacity: 17,500 seats

Estadio Municipal Butarque

Club: Leganes | Opening: 1998 | Capacity: 10,958 seats

Estadio Municipal de Santo Domingo

Club: Alcorcon | Opening: 1999 | Capacity: 5,880 seats

Estadio Cerro del Espino

Club: Rayo Majadahonda & Atletico B | Opening: 1995 | Capacity: 3,500 seats

Estadio Fernando Torres

Club: Fuenlabrada | Opening: 2011 | Capacity: 6,000 seats

Madrid football – eat, drink & sleep

Madrid is jam-packed with bars, cafes, and restaurants, mostly concentrated in the central areas but in good Spanish fashion also spread across local neighbourhoods of the city.

That said, with the exception of the Bernabeu (which lies along the major Paseo de la Castellana in a business district) and Vallecas (in the lively Vallecas working class neighbourhood) most stadiums including Wanda Metropolitano lie in residential areas that offer little in terms of entertainment.

Likewise, there are plenty of hotels near the Bernabeu, but otherwise there is not really any reason to stay close to any of the other stadiums.

Madrid Wider Region Stadiums

Estadio Pedro Escartin

Club: Guadalajara | Opening: 1970 | Capacity: 7,000

Estadio Municipal Salto del Caballo

Club: Toledo | Opening: 1973 | Capacity: 5,500 seats

Madrid Football Guide

Key facts

Club: Real Madrid Castilla | Opening: 2006 | Capacity: 6,000 seats

History and description

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano got built in the 2000s to serve as a training venue for Real Madrid, and as the home of the Real Madrid Reserves team (Castilla).

The stadium officially opened on 9 May 2006 with a match between Real Madrid and Stade de Reims, the sides of the first 1956 European Cup final won by Real Madrid. The stadium got named after Alfredo di Stefano, one of the great all-time footballers of the club, and includes a statue of the player in front.

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano currently boasts 6,000 seats, but could be easily expanded up to 25,000 seats. It is part of the larger Ciudad Real Madrid sports complex, which included multiple pitches and sports facilities.

In 2020, the Real Madrid first team temporary made the stadium their home while Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was getting renovated. The club had planned to keep playing at the Bernabeu while it was under construction, but as all games were moved behind closed doors due to the Corona pandemic, works were accelerated and Real moved to their reserves stadium.

Around the same time, the stadium also hosted a few matches of the Spain national team with no spectators in the stands.

How to get to Estadio Alfredo di Stefano

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano is located in the newly developed Valdebebas neighbourhood near Barajas International airport.

The stadium lies about 12 kilometres north east of Madrid’s city centre and can be reached by Cercania commuter train. Station Valdedebas lies right next to the sports complex. It is on line C1 and C10 that run to the airport (T4) and can be boarded at, among others, Chamartin railway station, Recoletos station near the city centre, Atocha railway station, or Principe Pio station near the Palacio Real.

The stadium is furthermore easily reached by car with multiple motorways running near the stadium and plenty of parking available.

Useful websites

Realmadrid.com – Official website of Real Madrid CA.
Esmadrid.com – Official guide for the city of Madrid.
Metromadrid.com – Travel information for the Madrid metro.
Emtmadrid.es – Madrid public transport information.

Photo credits: Brgesto

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano

Key facts

Club: CSKA 1948 | Opening: 1953 | Capacity: 43,358 seats

History and description

Vasil Levski National Stadium got built in the 1950s to provide the city of Sofia with a large football venue. Until then, the national team had played their matches at a small ground of 10,000 spectators that had stood roughly at the same site.

Vasil Levski Stadium officially opened on 5 July 1953. The stadium could initially hold just over 40,000 spectators but got later expanded to a capacity of close to 80,000.

By the 2000s, the state of the stadium had severely deteriorated and the stadium was closed for a while to undergo refurbishments to keep it eligible for hosting international matches. Plans were made for the construction of an entirely new national stadium, but these never came to fruition.

At the moment, tentative plans exist to renovate the stadium, which would be required if Bulgaria would succeed in their joint bid with Romania, Greece, and Serbia to host the Euro 2028 tournament.

Save from hosting national team matches, Vasil Levski Stadium did not have a permanent club occupant for most of its history (though did regularly host European matches). Since 2018, newly formed CSKA 1948 has used the stadium as their home.

How to get to Vasil Levski National Stadium

Vasil Levski National Stadium is located centrally in Sofia on the south-eastern edge of the city centre. The stadium lies in Borisova Gradina park, the city’s main park that also includes CSKA’s Balgarska Armia Stadion.

The stadium lies a 15-20 minute walk from most city centre destinations including Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, Vitosha Boulevard, and Sveti Georgi Rotunda.

From other destinations, the stadium can be reached by metro or tram. Metro station Vasil Levski Stadium lies right next to the stadium. It is on line M1 and M4 which runs through the centre to the north-west coming from the south-east. From the main railway station, which is on line M2, a transfer to line M1 or M4 is required, though you can also get off at stop NDK and walk 15 minutes to the stadium.

Tram 10, 12, and 18 furthermore pass by the stadium. They all run through the city centre and tram 18 can be boarded a little south from the main railway station at Ul Kozloduy.

Address: 38 Evlogi & Hristo Georgievi Blvd, Sofia

Eat, drink, and sleep near Vasil Levski National Stadium

Vasil Levski Stadium is located on the edge of the city centre so there are plenty of places to eat and drink in the vicinity of the stadium.

Likewise, there is a large choice of hotels spread around the city centre at 10 minutes walking from the stadium (or apartment rentals even closer). Click here for an overview of hotels near Vasil Levski National Stadium and elsewhere in Sofia.

CSKA 1948 Tickets

Tickets for CSKA 1948 games can be bought online through the official website or the eventim network.

Tickets are also available at the stadium before the start of the match.

Tickets for Bulgarian national team games can also be bought through the eventim network.

Useful websites

Cska1948.bg – Official website of CSKA 1948.

Photo credits: railroadwiki

Vasil Levski National Stadium

Key facts

Club: none | Capacity: 55,000 seats | Scheduled opening: 2024 | Status: in planning

Description

Serbia National Stadium is the planned new national stadium of the Serbia national team. The stadium is a project of Serbian President Vucic to upgrade the sports venues of the country including a new centerpiece national stadium.

Serbia does not have a national stadium at the moment and the national team currently play most of their home matches at Red Star’s Stadion Rajko Mitic.

First plans were announced in 2019, which became more concrete in 2020 with the release of the first images. The proposed stadium will have a capacity of 55,000 seats which will make it the largest of the country. It will have a steel frame with wood and natural materials on the inside. The stadium is expected to come at a cost of EUR 250 million financed by the state.

Serbia National Stadium will be built in the town of Surcin off the A1 motorway on the north bank of the Sava river not far from the international airport. The stadium is part of a wider project of new developments including retail, entertainment, offices, and residential buildings called “Stadium City”.

The government had hoped to start construction in 2020 but the Corona crisis pushed the start of works back to 2021. Works are expected to last two to three years. The stadium is part of the joint Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania Euro 2028 bid.

None of Belgrade’s major clubs is expected to move into the new stadium.

Images of Serbia National Stadium

Serbia National Stadium

Key facts

Club: none | Opening: 2019 | Capacity: 21,690 seats

History and description

Air Albania Stadium, also often referred to as Arena Kombëtare, is the new Albanian national stadium that replaced Qemal Stafa Stadium that had stood at the same site.

Plans for the construction of a new national stadium were announced in 2010. Demolition of the old national stadium started in 2016 after which the national team moved to the Elbasan Arena for its home matches.

Construction works took three years and the stadium officially opened on 17 November 2019 with the Euro qualifier between Albania and France (0-2).

Air Albania Stadium does not have a permanent club occupant but may host the occasional high-profile match from Tirana or Partizani.

How to get to Air Albania Stadium

Air Albania Stadium is located right in the centre of Tirana at about a kilometre south of Skanderbeg Square and just east of the Blloku entertainment district.

The stadium is at easy walking distance of most central locations. From any destinations further out make your way to the centre by bus or taxi.

Eat, drink, and sleep near Air Albania Stadium

Air Albania Stadium is located right next to the Blloku district which is packed with bars and restaurants so there is plenty of entertainment around.

The stadium can be walked to from pretty much any hotel in the city centre so there are plenty of options to choose from. Click here for an overview of hotels near Air Albania Stadium and in Tirana’s city centre.

Photo credits: ErtonKashta

Air Albania Stadium