The covered football stadiums in the world

How many covered football stadiums are there in the world? Traditionally, the king sport has always been considered an outdoor game where weather conditions played a decisive role. Rain, cold, heat, wind, snow, few were the excuses for a match not to be played. However, technological advances have caused the number of stadiums with retractable roofs to increase in recent years, allowing the enclosure to be closed at a certain moment. Here are some of them.

Covered football stadiums in the world

Wembley

The Cathedral of Football opened its doors in 2007, replacing the old Wembley. It did so with a stadium that has a capacity for 90,000 people and a retractable roof that can cover the stadium in a very short time. The total cost was 126 million euros. You have to pay the price for what you want. It is one of the covered stadiums in the world and also one of the global temples of football.

Amsterdam Arena

Opened in 1996, it has the honor of being the first European stadium to have a retractable roof. It did so in 1996, the year it opened to the public. It closes in just 18 minutes and in it, Real Madrid won the seventh European Cup and Chelsea the last Europa League. In between, France won the Euro 2000. With 52,960 seats, this four-star venue (the highest distinction) cost 140 million euros.

Sapporo Dome

It was one of the icons of the 2002 World Cup, where it hosted Germany’s thrashing of Saudi Arabia (8-0) and the thrilling England-Argentina match with Beckham’s famous goal that secured victory for the Europeans. Small but charming, this Japanese venue allows the natural grass pitch to slide out of the stadium on an air cushion to promote growth, while also enabling other uses of the structure such as concerts or exhibitions. The roof closes in just 20 minutes.

Pontiac Stadium in Detroit

The venue is not exclusive to football but primarily serves for NHL games. In the United States, there are many other indoor stadiums of similar characteristics due to the extreme cold experienced in some regions. However, what sets this stadium apart is that it hosted the first official indoor game in history. The inaugural indoor match took place between USA and Switzerland during the 1994 World Cup, ending in a 1-1 draw. With a capacity for over 80,000 spectators, its cost amounts to $55 million.

National Stadium of Warsaw

The crown jewel of the Euro 2012. It hosted the inaugural match and will be the venue for the Europa League final in the 2014-15 season. With seating for over 58,000 spectators, its roof can be closed in 20 minutes provided the temperature is above five degrees Celsius. It does so in a beautiful way, as the roof is transparent, giving the sensation of still being outdoors. It is the most expensive stadium in the world, with a budget of €485 million for its construction. To top off its aesthetics, four large LED screens are located on its roof.

Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt

What hasn’t happened here is difficult to happen elsewhere. Known in its time as the Waldstadion, Muhammad Ali fought here, matches of the 1974 World Cup, the 1988 European Championship, and the 2006 World Cup were played here. Remodeled in 2005, the year it hosted the final of the Confederations Cup, its price of €126 million accommodates 48,000 spectators, all under cover, as well as its turf when desired. A luxury of German technology.

National Stadium of Bucharest

It hosted the Europa League final that crowned Atlético champions against Athletic in 2012. Up to 63,000 people can fit into a venue with 3,600 VIP boxes and a retractable roof that can be closed in just 15 minutes. Home to national team matches and the Romanian Cup final, its construction in 2011 cost €226 million.

Friends Arena

Home to AIK Solna and the Swedish national team since the old Rasunda was demolished just a few months ago, with Pelé in attendance. With a capacity of 50,000 spectators and a cost of €300 million, few games have been played here, but in the first one, one of the most beautiful goals ever was seen: a bicycle kick from Ibrahimovic from over 30 meters that went around the world. Its roof closes in about 20 minutes.

Parken Stadium

It hosted the final of the 2000 UEFA Europa League and the 1994 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, serving as the home of the Danish national team and one of the most prestigious stadiums in the Old Continent. Created in 1992 and renovated in 2009, it can be quickly closed in adverse weather conditions. Its only drawback is that it does not have 50,000 spectators (it has 48,000), so it cannot host UEFA Champions League finals. A pity.

Santiago Bernabéu 

The new Bernabéu, after its renovation, has joined the list of covered stadiums with a retractable roof. A true spectacle of 21st-century technology.