The stadiums hosting major tournament finals in the next decade

Bayern's Allianz Arena will host the 2023 Champions League final
Bayern's Allianz Arena will host the 2023 Champions League final / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The current state of the world kept us locked out of stadiums for the bulk of 2020 and start of 2021.

While the stadium visits and holidays have stopped for now, they can't forever. The football can't either; 2021 will be the year of playing catch up and is set to host just about every major tournament known to man, leaving us spoilt for choice in which ones to attend (if we can attend, that is).

Fortunately, major football organisations are always planning ahead, so there's more to look forward to than just the next year. Grab a pen and paper and be ready to start scribbling down some travel plans; here's 90min's one-stop guide to all the stadiums that are hosting major tournament finals in the next few years.


1. Wembley Stadium, England (Euro 2021)

Football's coming home. Sort of.

Euro 2020 - now scheduled for 2021 due to obvious reasons - sees the format change in that the tournament will be held across Europe, rather than in one or two countries like usual.

England has been fortunate enough to be able to host the final at Wembley; fingers crossed fans are allowed in to pack it out.


2. Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Turkey (Champions League Final 2021)

Liverpool fans hold fond memories of the one of a kind Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul
Liverpool fans hold fond memories of the one of a kind Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul / EuroFootball/Getty Images

The venue that hosted an immense 2005 final between Milan and Liverpool was set to hold the 2020 final, but the pandemic means it's been pushed back to next year.

Incredible heat, passionate fans and plenty of seats, this one has potential.


3. Gdansk City Stadium, Poland (Europa League Final 2021)

Gdansk City Stadium is a beautiful example of modern football architecture
Gdansk City Stadium is a beautiful example of modern football architecture / AFP/Getty Images

Similarly to the previous entry, Gdansk has had to wait another year to host a Europa League final, with last season's mini-tournament instead being held in Germany.

Gdansk is one of several places worth visiting in Poland. Perfect excuse to make a long trip of it.


4. Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez, Colombia (Copa America Final 2021)

The Copa America is the Southern Hemisphere's answer to the European Championship.

It's one that slips under the radar of mainstream football fans, but is a guaranteed trip of a lifetime. Make your way around South America to follow the tournament before finishing off in Colombia with the final.


5. Paul Biya Stadium, Cameroon (AFCON 2021 Final)

The Africa Cup of Nations is often overlooked but always delivers in every department.

Drama, obscene talent, incredible kits and this time a new stadium. The 60,000-seater Paul Biya Stadium remains under construction and is set to close out the tournament next year.


6. International Stadium Yokohama, Japan (2021 Olympics)

Japan will provide a unique look for the football at the Olympics in 2021
Japan will provide a unique look for the football at the Olympics in 2021 / Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

If that isn't a busy enough calendar for 2021, here's some Olympic football just to top it off.

Currently the Nissan Stadium for sponsorship purposes, the stadium has regularly hosted football and will be used to crown the gold medallists in both men's and women's football.


7. Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar (World Cup Final 2022)

France will defend their 2018 World Cup trophy in the first ever World Cup held in the UAE in 2022.

Should they make it to the final, they'll get the luxury of playing in the 80,000 capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium, which remains under construction.


8. Krestovsky Stadium, Russia (Champions League Final 2022)

The Gazprom stadium is sure to create a passionate atmosphere
The Gazprom stadium is sure to create a passionate atmosphere / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/Getty Images

Home to Zenit, the Krestovsky Stadium - currently the Gazprom Stadium - was opened in 2017 and used at the 2018 World Cup, and will add the 2022 Champions League final to its CV in the near future.

Not a bad few years for a brand new stadium and definitely one to add to the bucket list.


9. Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, Spain (Europa League Final 2022)

It's happening.

2022, the Europa League returns to it's rightful home in Seville, where undisputed Europa League champions Sevilla will host the final.

Sevilla winning the tournament at home is a must.


10. Allianz Arena, Germany (Champions League Final 2023)

The Allianz Arena is the pinnacle of modern football stadiums
The Allianz Arena is the pinnacle of modern football stadiums / Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

The ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have essentially knocked back the schedule for both the Champions League and Europa League by a year.

Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena is set to host the 2023 final, and with the way they're playing under Hansi Flick, they'll likely be playing in it too.


11. Puskas Arena, Hungary (Europa League Final 2023)

Hungary's Puskas Arena hosted the 2020 UEFA Super Cup
Hungary's Puskas Arena hosted the 2020 UEFA Super Cup / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Budapest's impressive Puskas Arena will host the final of Europe's secondary club competition in 2023, giving you the perfect excuse to take a trip to the country.

It's the perfect blend of doing city break things, and watching live football. What more could you ask for?


12. Stade Olympique d'Ebimpé, Ivory Coast (AFCON 2023 Final)

Opening just last month, the Stade Olympique d'Ebimpé is set to host both the opening ceremony and the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

It's jumped up the ranks and become one of the most modern stadiums in Africa, and will be a spectacle to behold at full capacity...hopefully.


13. Olympiastadion, Berlin (Euro 2024 Final)

Berlin's Olympiastadion is a seriously unique spectacle
Berlin's Olympiastadion is a seriously unique spectacle / Jan-Philipp Burmann/Getty Images

Three-time Euro winners Germany are hardly short of stadiums, meaning Euro 2024 is set to become the trip for the stadium enthusiasts, and beer fans.

Hertha BSC's Olympiastadion is tipped to host the final of the competition. With a capacity of almost 75,000 and some incredible architecture, it's one that many would love to attend.


14. Wembley Stadium, England (Champions League Final 2024)

Wembley will host the 2024 Champions League final
Wembley will host the 2024 Champions League final / NICK POTTS/Getty Images

The only stadium to make it onto the list twice, Wembley returns in 2024 to satisfy the domestic game and crown the winner of the Champions League.

It last hosted the Champions League final in 2013, where an all-German affair saw Bayern Munich edge past Borussia Dortmund.


15. MetLife Stadium (2026 World Cup Final)

The incredible MetLife stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final
The incredible MetLife stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final / Al Bello/Getty Images

Football returns to the USA in 2026 and we're in for a treat. If anyone knows how to well and truly overdo it, it's the Americans.

The 2026 World Cup is guaranteed to be a spectacle and will culminate in the spectacular MetLife stadium in New Jersey.

The stadium is home to the NFL's New York Jets and New York Giants but regularly hosts football matches, and has even hosted WrestleMania twice. It promises to be one massive party.