Which Europa League clubs have the biggest and smallest stadiums?
73,261 highest capacity
©TM/IMAGO
The Europa League returns this week with 36 clubs dreaming of glory in UEFA’s second most prestigious club competition. The Europa League lacks the glitz and glamour of the Champions League but it’s still a coveted trophy. Two of England’s biggest clubs participated in the final last season with Tottenham edging out Manchester United to win their first silverware in 17 years.
It’s an incredibly open competition this campaign with no clear favourite but the two most valuable clubs are from the Premier League. Nottingham Forest have the most valuable squad in the Europa League this season at €556 million, with Aston Villa ranking second at €547m. Roma, Porto and Stuttgart complete the top five but which clubs have the biggest stadiums in the competition? Let’s find out.
The highest capacity stadiums in the Europa League
Eleven clubs have stadiums with capacities exceeding 50,000 with Roma boasting the biggest ground in the Europa League. The Stadio Olimpico, which Roma famously shared with their city rivals Lazio, holds 73,261 supporters. Roma, however, seldom sell-out the iconic old stadium with an average of just over 63,000 across their two home Serie A games this season.
Real Betis rank second, but that’s only because they aren’t playing at their spiritual home this season. The Villamarin stadium, with a capacity of 60,721, is undergoing redevelopment and they are playing at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, which holds 70,000. Two Scottish clubs feature in the top ten with Celtic in third and Rangers in 8th – Turkish giants Fenerbahce rank ninth.
The lowest capacity stadiums in the Europa League
Only two clubs have stadiums with capacities under 10,000 with Ludogrets’ Huvepharma stadium in Bulgaria holding just 8,000 supporters. Go Ahead Eagles are the other club to fall below the 10,000 threshold with the De Adelaarshorst stadium holding just 8,0111. Interestingly, there’s no top five league clubs in the top ten smallest stadiums with FC Midtjylland’s MCH arena possessing a capacity of 11,535.
