STADIAWORLD | SPORTS VENUES 2019/20

14    |   SPORTS VENUES 2019/20 www.stadiaworld.com OPERATION Estadio Santiago Bernabéu The home of the “Royals” – the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – is at least as rich in history as the club that plays in this stadium. Renovated more than once, 81,044 spectators fit into the stadium, which opened in 1947. In December 2018, another story was written: The return of the Copa Libertadores final between the Boca Juniors and River Plate was the first ever final of a non-European club competition on the continent. But the big renovation has already begun: for 575 million euros, the stadium will be modernised – and it will certainly not lack in technical highlights. Picture: imago Picture: Atleticodemadrid.com Picture: imago images/AFLOSPORT Status quo Wanda Metropolitano Over the last few years, Atlético Madrid has caught up in terms of sport in comparison to the national giants Real and Barça. In terms of infrastructure, the Rojiblancos are also in similar spheres, since the Wanda Metropolitano has opened its doors in 2017. 67,700 spectators have space in “La Peineta”, with the old home Estadio Vicente Calderón simply getting too old. However, the new stadium is one of Europe’s best. In the summer of 2019, it was the site of the most important club game in Europe: In the UEFA Champi- ons League final, Liverpool FC battled the Tottenham Hotspur – with the better outcome for the Reds. Camp Nou The largest stadium in Europe – the largest club stadi- um in the world. The Camp Nou is already in the lead in some rankings. One of the most memorable UEFA Champions League finals took place here in 1999, when Manchester United turned around the game against Bayern Munich in extra time. The home of FC Barcelona can host almost 100,000 spectators, but it is certainly not the most modern stadium. In particular, the lack of complete roofing is a major disadvantage compared to the top stadiums of the continent. There- fore, the club is investing about 600 million euros in order to modernise the Camp Nou – to be world class in terms of sports as well as on an infrastructural level.