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Footballing clubs are inseparable from their stadiums. They are home to generations of players and fans who consider the stadium a part of their lives. Stadiums represent a club's history, ambitions and values, and are living and breathing parts of the football ecosystem.
However, there may come a time when a club's journey with their stadium ends. With the world progressing and populations increasing at a rapid rate, many clubs have had to progress accordingly to meet demands for more capacity and accommodations.
In doing so, their previous stadiums became archaic and were either demolished or abandoned. We will be looking at five of the most iconic stadiums that have met their end to make way for new milestones.
#5 Estadio das Antas - FC Porto
Formerly home to FC Porto, Estádio das Antas was the third largest stadium in Portugal. It came into effect in 1952, when Porto shifted from their previous stadium, Campo da Constituição. Along with football, it was also home to a few other sports.
The stadium had a capacity of 55,000, but reached its peak of 95,000 in 1986 when the athletic track was removed during the renovation. Porto enjoyed the majority of their trophy laden dominance here, and Estádio das Antas will always be remembered as the place that created one of the greatest teams in Portugal.
The stadium, which was also home to the Portuguese national team for half a century, was demolished in 2004. Although some parts of the stadium remain intact, it is currently a parched land with no hopes of getting renovated.
#4 Maine Road - Manchester City
Built in 1923, Maine Road was Manchester City's home for 80 years before it was retired as a football stadium. It was built after the club could no longer expand their previous stadium. Over the years, the stadium has undergone many renovations, but had its major expansion in 1935.
After it was completed, the stadium could hold 88,000 people at its peak capacity. In the late 20th century, the club modernized the field by tearing down certain stands and constructing new ones. However, the multiple renovations had made the stadium a hazardous venue as all sides were now of different heights and designs.
Further plans for renovations to increase seating capacity were abandoned. Manchester City moved to their new home, the City of Manchester Stadium, commonly known as the Etihad Stadium in 2003. Maine Road was demolished after proposals for it to be used for other sports failed, and is now a site for housing buildings.
#3 Vicente Calderón Stadium - Atlético Madrid
The Vicente Calderón Stadium, one of Spain's most famous grounds, was home to current La Liga title holders Atlético Madrid. Initially known as Estadio Manzanares, it was renamed to pay tribute to the club's long-time president, Vicente Calderon. Opened in 1966, the stadium was the venue for many glorious fixtures until 2017.
Atlético Madrid moved to the Vicente Calderón Stadium from Estado Metropolitano de Madrid in 1966. The final match at the ground saw a charity fixture between Atlético Madrid and World XI. After its abandonment, the stadium was demolished in 2020 and converted into a waterfront park.
Atlético Madrid shifted to the Metropolitano Stadium in 2017. They were meant to move there in 2013, but Madrid's bid to host Olympic events delayed the shifting process. After Atlético gained ownership of the stadium, it was completely renovated and now has a capacity of 68,456.
#2 Camp de Les Corts - Barcelona
Camp de Les Corts was the stadium that groomed the famous Barcelona club. This stadium was Barcelona's home during one of their most dominant eras. With many big names playing for them, the Catalan club dominated the pre-La Liga era. Building on that greatness, they went on to win the inaugural La Liga title as well.
Over time, the club had grown so widely that the Camp de Les Corts could not accommodate more people. Despite expanding the stadium to its maximum potential, the 60,000 capacity fell short. Having to compete against their fiercest rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona went on to build Spain's largest stadium, the Camp Nou in 1957. Camp de Les Corts was sold and developed for housing purposes.
#1 Arsenal Stadium - Arsenal
Although named Arsenal Stadium, it was popularly known as Higbury due to its location. Nicknamed the "Home of Football," Highbury had been home to Arsenal Football Club for almost a century.
Since it opened in 1913, the stadium went through two transformative renovations. Highbury, the ground which witnessed Arsenal's most glorious days, could hold 73,000 people at its peak. In 1993, the club became an all-seater after the terraces were also replaced. However, further attempts to extend the stadium were denied by the community.
Arsenal were unable to meet the financial requirements at the club due to the limited seats, as a result of which they decided to build a new stadium. At the end of the 2005/06 season, Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium—one of the largest in England. Arsenal Stadium was then converted into a residential development known as Highbury Square.
