These stadiums may not be used by some of the best clubs in the world or located in countries where there is a well known team. However, each of them has something that makes them unique, whether it is their location, design, or structure.
For this piece, we decided to put together a series of stadiums in which nature is involved. In some cases, the surroundings were even used as part of the venue. The pictures are really impressive and there is no doubt that fans would like to play in more than one of these fields.
Enjoy the architecture and surroundings of these 25 soccer stadiums that are close to nature.
25. Wörthersee Stadion (Austria)
Located in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt, this venue was built in 2007 specifically for Euro 2008. However, this stadium caught everyone's attention in September 2019 when it was converted into a work of art. The Swiss art dealer, Klaus Littmann, transformed the Wörthersee into a European forest with around 300 trees.
It was launched on September 8th and was in effect until October 27th, 2019. The goal was to raise awareness of climate change and deforestation, and was based on a dystopian drawing made by Austrian architect Max Peintner more than 30 years ago.
24. Estadio Olímpico Pedro Arispe (Uruguay)
This stadium belongs to Uruguayan side, Rampla Juniors. It was built in 1923 in Villa del Cerro overlooking the bay of Montevideo and has a capacity of 6,000 people.
Two of its sides do not have stands, so it is very common for balls to end up in the river called Río de La Plata. Regardless, it is still a very picturesque stadium.
23. Mmabatho Stadium (South Africa)
It was built on the outskirts of Johannesburg in 1981 and has a capacity of 59,000 people. The curious thing is its structure, which is unlike any other stadium.
In addition to its striking design, the stands are facing the opposite direction and the venue is surrounded by trees.
22. Undir Myruhjalla (Faroe Islands)
Unlike the other venues we mentioned, this stadium, which is located in the city of Skáli, only has a capacity of 1,000 people. That being said, it caught our attention for everything that surrounds it. Having opened in 1968, it is made of synthetic grass and hosted the Faroe Islands Cup final in 1984.
21. Estadio Cibao FC (Dominican Republic)
Do you notice anything strange in this picture? That's right, there is a huge tree behind one of the goals that is right in the middle of the stands.
Being the first stadium in the country built under FIFA guidelines, Cibao FC Stadium was inaugurated in 2015 after completing its first phase of construction. It can fit 10,000 people.
20. Manuel Bonilla de Miraflores (Peru)
Having opened in 1995, this stadium has a capacity of 6,500 and stands out for being on the side of a cliff. However, it will cease to exist as we see in these images.
In 2019, it was confirmed that the stadium will be completely rebuilt. According to the mayor of Miraflores, Luis Montes, the plan is to demolish the property and have it reconstructed on an underground level on the cliff.
19. Stade Francis Di Giovanni (France)
It belongs to Union Sportive de Marseille who play in France's fourth division. As you can see in the image, it is built right between a cliff and a building that shades the field.
18. Princes Park Stadium (England)
This stadium is where Dartford FC play their games and was designed with a true commitment to the environment and is considered one of the greenest in the world. It has a sedum room blanket called green roof, which provides a natural air filtration system.
In addition, it has solar panels for community areas, a rainwater recycling system, and a wooden sculpture in the stands as a symbol of its ecological commitment.
17. The New Lawn Stadium (England)
You will surely be wondering why this stadium is on our list. It may not be located in a stunning area or surrounded by mountains. However, this venue, which is where Forest Green Rovers play their games, has the first organic field on the planet.
Power is taken from more than 100 solar panels, the lawn is mowed using an electric lawnmower with solar power, rainwater is recycled, and the game day menu is 100% vegan.
16. Estadio Mariano Matamoros (Mexico)
Located in the city of Xochitepec, it has hosted several teams since its inauguration. It has a capacity of 16,000 and does not have a side stand as the Apatlaco River runs through there.
The teams that have played in this stadium are the already extinct Colibríes de Morelos, Ballenas Galeana, and Inter de Acapulco.
15. Estadio Saturnino Moure (Argentina)
It is considered one of the strangest venues in the country as it is located on a peninsula of less than 50,000 square meters. This venue is where the club, Victoriano Arenas, play their games and has a capacity of 1,500 people.
There are only two ways to enter. One is through the train tracks that pass over the Matanza-Riachuelo River and the other is on foot from the Avellaneda district.
14. Svangaskaro (Faroe Islands)
It hosted the Faroe Islands national team from 1991 until 2000 when a stadium was built in the capital city of Tórshavn. It was opened in 1980 and has a capacity of 6,000 people.
It is located in the town of Toftir and has a second soccer field next to it. As in most of the stadiums on our list, the view around the complex is spectacular.
13. Central Coast Mariners Stadium (Australia)
The curious thing about this stadium is that the architect did not want to close it and decided to leave one part without stands. In its place, they put palm trees to appreciate the view.
It fits more than 20,000 people and is where the Central Coast Mariners of the Australian league play their games. In addition, the venue is also used for rugby games.
12. Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella (Andorra)
This stadium is not a too big and only has capacity of 1,000 people. However, it is the field that the Andorran national team uses to play its international games.
It is located in a unique area surrounded by the Pyrenees mountains allowing visitors to enjoy both the games and wonders around it.
11. Rheinpark Stadion (Liechtenstein)
With a maximum capacity of 8,000, this stadium, located in the city of Vaduz, is surrounded by mountains and close to the banks of the Rhine River. It was opened in 1998 and is where the national team plays its international games.
10. Cocodrilos Sports Park (Venezuela)
This stadium was built in 2005 in Venezuela's capital city and it belongs to Caracas FC. It is in the mountains and giant steel plates were placed to prevent any kind of landslide.
It has a capacity of 3,500 and is used for the club's youth academy, although the first team has also played in this venue.
9. Kantrida Stadium (Croatia)
It was opened in 1912, but has been renovated several times over the years. It is where HNK Rijeka play their games and has a capacity for 12,600 people.
This stadium is unique for its remarkable surroundings. One side has steep cliffs, while the other has the Adriatic Sea.
8. Estadio Hásteinsvöllur (Iceland)
In 2017, the BBC named it one of the 10 most beautiful stadiums in the world. It was built on Heimmaey Island and can fit 2,834 people.
The view from the playing field is truly spectacular. It was opened in 1912 and was renovated in 1960 and 2012.
7. Estadio Municipal de Braga (Portugal)
It was built in a Monte Castro quarry for Euro 2004. It only has bleachers on the sides of the field, but it has a capacity of more than 30,000 people.
A large amount of rock was mined to carry out this incredible design. This stadium is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
6. Eidi Stadium (Faroe Islands)
This venue is only used for semi-professional games, but its view is simply spectacular. It sits right next to the Atlantic Ocean, but it has a very low capacity. As you can imagine, a big problem that occurs is the number of balls that go missing in the water.
5. Estadio Janguito Malucelli (Brazil)
Known as the Janguito Malucelli Eco-Stadium, it is located in Curitiba and has a capacity of 4,200 people. What makes this stadium special is that it was the first “ecological stadium” in Brazil. It was built without the use of concrete, taking advantage of the hill to place the seats, which was an unprecedented idea.
4. Henningsvaer Stadion (Norway)
It is located in the fishing village of Henningsvaer in northern Norway. The field does not have bleachers and is only used for amateur soccer, but its view is something extraordinary.
3. Marina Bay (Singapore)
It was the scene of the opening ceremony for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. As you can see in the image, it was built in the city center on a floating structure in the middle of the bay. It can fit 30,000 people and is entirely made of steel. In addition, it can support up to 1,070 tons.
2. Stade Ottmar Hitzfeld (Switzerland)
It is the highest field in all of Europe. Located in a small village called Gspon on the edge of the Swiss Alps, the Ottmar Hitzfeld is 2,000 (6561 feet) meters above sea level.
In addition to playing the beautiful game, you can also appreciate the extraordinary view. Of course, the main problem is the number of balls that get lost when they go over the fence.
1. Gospin Dolac (Croatia)
Having been built in 1989 in the city of Imotski, it has a capacity of 4,000 people and is named after a nearby church.
It is located near Modro Lake and Illyrian Fortress. It is considered by many in the media as one of the 10 most beautiful stadiums on the planet.