Summary
AI has ranked the loudest stadiums in football, showcasing intense atmospheres like Besiktas' deafening Vodafone Park.
From historic temples like Maracana in Brazil to Dortmund's Yellow Wall, each venue offers a unique and intimidating experience.
The psychological warfare of Red Star Belgrade's raucous stadium atmosphere stands out, as do British stadiums like Old Trafford and Celtic Park.
Football without fans is nothing, and that's why the stadium and the atmosphere of every club across the globe are just as important as the team playing the beautiful game on the pitch. But the fans aren't the only measure of a great venue - some residences are famed for their architecture, history, and other hallmarks of greatness.
That's why it's nearly impossible to come to a definitive conclusion on the very best of the best, especially when a lot of people's rankings tend to veer onto the biased side - whether that’s because it’s their club’s stadium or the ground where they’ve made their fondest memories. And that’s exactly why we’ve put the question to AI to do the hard yards and call it down the middle.
Below is how ChatGPT has ranked the loudest stadiums in football, along with the reasoning it provided. We’ve also added a sentence or two of our own to give extra context and insight into why each choice was made.
Notable mentions:
Estadio do Dragao (Porto)
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Etienne)
Ibrox (Rangers)
Estadio Mestalla (Valencia)
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Old Trafford (Manchester United) - England
Capacity: 74,197
Old Trafford (Manchester United)
What AI said: "Though sometimes criticised for quiet crowds, on big nights it roars back to life."
Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams has long been a crucible of the beautiful game and remains one of the biggest stadiums in England - the sport's birthplace. The roof may leak these days, and the Red Devils' hierarchy may be eyeing a move to an even bigger residence, but nothing can take away from the countless stars and trophies that have graced the pitch at Old Trafford, which harnesses the vast majority of the home fans' vocal setlist.
Estadio Benito Villamarin (Real Betis) - Spain
Capacity: 60,721
Real Betis stadium
What AI said: "Real Betis fans are loud, passionate, and non-stop."
It says a lot about a club when, even if they aren't as successful or as big as their rivals, they still earn a mention alongside them, thanks to their stadium and the atmosphere it generates. The open-air Estadio Benito Villamarin is a prime example, with Real Betis fans - cloaked in their iconic green and white - making themselves known to the footballing world through their relentless, jubilant support under the balmy Spanish sun.
Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich) - Germany
Capacity: 75,024
Munich's Allianz Arena
**What AI said: "**On big Champions League nights, the noise and energy spike hard."
Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena is a prime example of a bowl stadium done right. While most attempts at building bowl-shaped venues in England have drained the life out of their clubs' atmospheres - West Ham being a prime case in point - Germany has long cracked the code when it comes to the matchday experience. And with over 75,000 fans packed in, it's a cauldron that's not for the faint-hearted.
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Maracana Stadium (Flamengo, Fluminense) - Brazil
Capacity: 78,838
MixCollage-22-Oct-2024-01-38-PM-673
**What AI said: "**Historic, massive - Brazilian fans bring drums, samba, and non-stop chants."
Brazilian football - known as Jogo Bonito - has a certain kind of romance stitched into its very fabric, and stadiums simply don’t come more iconic than the Maracana. Having hosted two World Cup finals, three Copa America finals, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, it's a temple of the game. Set against the breathtaking backcloth of Rio de Janeiro, it's a mythical place every football fan dreams of one day ticking off their bucket list, and those regularly inside make one hell of a racket.
Parken Stadium (FC Copenhagen) - Denmark
Capacity: 38,065
Parken stadium
**What AI said: "**Compact, loud, especially on European nights."
The concept of "hygge," which describes a feeling of coziness and well-being, is deeply ingrained in Danish culture and points toward a relaxed, easygoing way of life. But cram those same Danes into the humble-yet-charming Parken Stadium, and a whole different side comes out. The ultra group in Section 12 are among the best in Europe, and the traditional four-sided ground - often swaying, shaking, and seemingly hanging on by its hinges - earns its place on the list for their passion alone.
Vodafone Park (Besiktas) - Turkey
Capacity: 42,445
Vodafone Park before 2019 UEFA Super Cup
**What AI said: "**Modern but deafening - Besiktas fans once recorded 132 dB! (some reports)."
Turkish football supporters are famously ferocious, and having recorded volume levels of over 132 decibels, Besiktas fans can lay claim to being louder than an ambulance siren at close range, a jet engine at take-off, and a jack hammer. That probably just about gives a reason why their stadium ranks so high, but if you need further reasons, then look no further than the inferno matchdays can sometimes conjure up. See below:
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Stade Velodrome (Marseille) - France
Capacity: 67,000
Marseille's Stade Velodrome
**What AI said: "**Marseille fans are famously passionate, with huge tifos and noise."
The Stade Velodrome is one of the loudest and most electrifying stadiums in Europe, thanks largely to its passionate Marseille supporters. Known as the “Virage Sud,” the ultras create a relentless wall of noise, with drums, chants, and flares that fuel the atmosphere from start to finish. The stadium’s open, wave-like design amplifies sound, making every roar echo across the city, and any trip to the south of France is feared because of it.
Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium (Junior) - Colombia
Capacity: 46,692
Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium
**What AI said: "**Colombian fans create a carnival-like, noisy atmosphere."
As the AI noted, Colombian fans bring a more carnivalesque spirit to the beautiful game. While the atmosphere at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez isn’t necessarily intimidating, it’s certainly loud and full of life. Fans dress up, sing, dance, and jump in unison - so much so that the on-pitch action can sometimes feel like a sideshow to the party in the stands.
To enhance this already vibrant experience, the stadium underwent a major sound system upgrade, with over 80 weatherised loudspeakers from Renkus-Heinz installed to ensure powerful, crystal-clear audio throughout the venue.
Estadio Monumental (River Plate) - Argentina
Capacity: 85,018
Estadio Mas Monumental
**What AI said: "**Massive, loud — especially during the Superclasico."
While it might not be the most revered stadium in Argentina (more on that later), River Plate's Estadio Monumental is by far and away the biggest. During the Superclasico or a Copa Libertadores night, the atmosphere is so intense it feels like the concrete itself might crack under the weight of its 85,018 inhabitants.
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San Siro (AC Milan & Inter) - Italy
Capacity: 75,817
San Siro (AC Milan)
**What AI said: "**One of football’s cathedrals, roaring when full for derbies or Champions League."
AC Milan and Inter supporters will tell you the San Siro is the most iconic - and best - stadium in world football. With its rich history and thunderous matchday aura, any outsider would find it hard to disagree, too. There's a reason it has been listed as a historical sight, but it's such a shame that both Champions League giants will soon be moving houses for less outdated facilities.
Karaiskakis Stadium (Olympiacos) - Greece
Capacity: 33,079
Karaiskakis Stadium
**What AI said: "**Greek ultras pack a punch with drums, chants, and constant noise."
Greece is the cradle of sport, with the first-ever Olympic Games held in Athens in 776 BC. A country steeped in history and myth, its belief in gods has long made traditions feel larger than life. That same intensity lives on in football, where Olympiacos attract the most passionate support in the nation.
Their fortress, the Karaiskakis Stadium, may have a modest capacity of 33,079, but it punches well above its weight. On big nights - especially during the fiery “Derby of Eternal Enemies” against Panathinaikos - it transforms into a “red-hot cauldron,” where the atmosphere is as fierce as any.
Estadio Azteca (Club America) - Mexico
Capacity: 87,532
General view of Estadio Azteca
**What AI said: "**Historic, massive — can hold 85,000+, with a wall of noise."
Imagine Wembley Stadium, but under a blazing Latin sun and packed with nearly 90,000 football-mad fanaticos bouncing about in unbridled chaos, and you’ve got the Estadio Azteca. One of the crown jewels of the 2026 World Cup, the Mexico City venue is no doubt the one everyone wants a ticket to. No matter who fills it to the rafters, the sheer size and spirit of the crowd ensure an atmosphere that’s nothing short of volcanic.
Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (Fenerbahce) - Turkey
Capacity: 50,530
fenerbahce stadium Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
**What AI said: "**Another Turkish fortress; the Istanbul derbies here are LOUD."
With four towering stands pressing in tightly around the pitch, cutting off any glimpse of the outside world, stepping onto Fenerbahce’s turf feels like entering a coliseum where there’s no escape. Playing under the watchful eyes - and deafening roars - of the infamous Genc Fenerbahceliler ultras must feel like surviving a real-life Squid Game, with the walls closing in and the ground pulling you deeper into the chaos.
What's more, Fenerbahce, Jose Mourinho, and Turkey is a match made in football heaven. That fiery combination alone helps explain why the venue ranks among the loudest venues in the sport. If Mourinho isn’t already barking orders loud enough to give the opposite stand a headache, those around him will drown him out.
Celtic Park (Celtic) - Scotland
Capacity: 60,411
Celtic Park/Parkhead Stadium
**What AI said: "**Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most electric home atmospheres, especially on European nights."
The 'Green Brigade' regularly produce stunning tifos and displays before matches. Although Celtic have struggled in European competitions in recent years, they have pulled off some memorable wins under the lights at Celtic Park. Notably, they beat Barcelona 2-1 in 2012, prompting Lionel Messi to say: "The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them.” Their underdog status is no doubt a product of the 12th-man atmosphere that surrounds them.
Anfield (Liverpool) - England
Capacity: 61,276
Anfield
**What AI said: "'**You’ll Never Walk Alone' echoing on a big night can shake the stands."
Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, and Sir Alex Ferguson are among just the many names to have hailed the supernatural feeling inside Anfield that is given its reputation by England's most renowned fanbase. On European nights in particular, the Kop at one end of the pitch seems to have a mythical ability of sucking the ball into the back of the net for Liverpool.
"This means more", is a popular saying on Merseyside, while another is: "Heart as big as the city. Heart as big as Liverpool", and that is certainly immortalised at Anfield, as you really do get a sense of every emotion inside its historic bowels.
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Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Napoli) - Italy
Capacity: 54,726
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona
**What AI said: "**Naples lives for football — the atmosphere, flares, and singing are legendary."
You only need to watch a single clip of the Naples skyline after their Serie A title win to understand what football means to this one-club city. Fireworks lit up every inch of the red-clad Italian landscape, with celebrations pouring from balconies, piazzas, and alleyways alike. In Naples, football isn't just a game - it's the heartbeat of the city.
Named after the legendary Diego Maradona, the stadium may only house 54,000, but its roar does the rest of Naples justice, echoing loud enough to make sure no one feels left out. It’s proof that when Naples celebrates, the whole city shakes. See below:
Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund) - Germany
Capacity: 81,365
Signal Iduna Park on EAFC
**What AI said: "**Yellow Wall (Sudtribune) is Europe’s largest standing terrace, famously loud."
Borussia Dortmund's single-tiered Yellow Wall is one of the most striking stands in world football. The stand is steep and traditionally coloured in yellow and black by fan displays before matches. For fans looking to witness a truly unique stadium and stand, they should look no further than Signal Iduna Park. Jurgen Klopp once said:
"Every time you walk out onto the pitch it's like being born again, except with a lot more applause. You come out, and it just explodes."
La Bombonera (Boca Juniors) - Argentina
Capacity: 57,200
La Bombonera stadium of Boca Juniors
**What AI said: "**The steep stands and bouncing fans create a shaking, deafening cauldron."
Considered the most intimidating stadium in football history, Boca Juniors' unique La Bombonera takes the bronze medal in the AI's rankings. Its unique yet distinctive design makes the players feel as if the fans are towering above them and suffocating them. It has three steep stands, with one practically vertical, and this helps the home support create waves of relentless pressure.
Intentionally, the stadium was designed to unsettle opponents and therefore give Boca Juniors an edge over visiting teams. La Bombonera translates to ‘The Chocolate Box’ and it is given this title due to the structure being similar to that of a box of chocolates. But there is nothing sweet about this ground for visitors.
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Raiko Mitic Stadium (Red Star Belgrade) - Serbia
Capacity: 51,775
Stadion Rajko Mitic red star
**What AI said: "**Balkan ultras create insane noise, smoke, and fireworks — brutal away ground."
Never has a stadium lived up to its reputation as a battlefield quite like Red Star Belgrade’s Raiko Mitic Stadium, which - like Napoli's - is named after a club legend. And never has a fanbase brought the concept of psychological warfare so vividly to life as the Delije - a name that translates from Serbian as “heroes” or “braves.”
Known as the kings of pyro, their displays are among the most intimidating in world football. Many will recognise the stadium from the infamous long underground tunnel that players must walk through to reach the pitch, its concrete walls lined with hundreds of riot police - setting the tone for matchdays that are better likened to all-out war.
Rams Park (Galatasaray) - Turkey
Capacity: 52,600
Rams Park
**What AI said: "**Recorded 131 dB, Guinness World Record — known as Cehennem (“Hell”) by fans."
Where would you rather be - at war, or in hell? It’s not exactly a choice anyone wants to make, but it’s the perfect way to explain the difference between first and second on this list. And the fact that Galatasaray’s home is literally nicknamed Hell says everything you need to know about how demonic their matchday atmospheres can feel.
Galatasaray supporters were the reason the Turkish government introduced a blanket ban on pyrotechnics in football. Back in 2012, their ultras set off over 3,000 flares during a match against Fenerbahce, forcing the game to be temporarily halted. And even now, they still manage to sneak fireworks into the stadium - because really, who’s going to argue with 52,000 Galatasaray fans?
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 03/06/2025)