These cities treat football more than a sport, upon visiting, one can feel the true impact of the game on people’s lives and cultures!
Football is a worldwide sport. It consistently has greater global appeal than other sports do. Although it hasn't taken off in North America entirely, football is becoming more popular in both the US and Canada. It's enormous everywhere else as well. Nearly anywhere is a good place to play a game: in towns, villages, and rural areas. However, there are additional options in the larger cities. Where the sport of football already holds prominence and is followed like a religion. So, today we explore the best among those great football cities.
Two of the largest and most successful clubs in England historically are Liverpool and Everton; yet, the Reds have had more success recently than the Blues. Two of England's most recognisable stadiums are Anfield and Goodison Park, which are situated on opposite sides of Stanley Park. The latter will need a quick trip, as the Toffees are now constructing a new residence at Bramley-Moore Dock. But the Merseyside derby will always be a major event, regardless of the sport or competition.
Argentina has one of the best fan cultures in the world, and Buenos Aires is the country's major football city. Of course, there is the Superclásico between River Plate and Boca Juniors, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Greater Buenos Aires hosts numerous teams, including Independiente, Racing Club, Vélez Sarsfield, Banfield, San Lorenzo, Huracán, Argentinos Juniors, and many others. La Boca has a tonne of football graphics if you're still craving more!
The only city to have two clubs competing in the Champions League final is Madrid. In the 2014 and 2016 finals, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid squared off, with Los Blancos emerging victorious both times. Since Real Madrid is the most successful team in European Cup history, any football fan should make a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu a priority. But there's so much more to it than that. Visit Rayo Vallecano for an authentic vintage football experience, Leganés for the sunsets, and Atleti for the atmosphere.
The Home of the Los Blancos
Istanbul is home to nearly 15 million people living in one stunning but chaotic metropolis that is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. Istanbul's main three teams—Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas—dominate the sport, and football is a major aspect of city life. As recently as 2020, Istanbul Basaksehir, a fourth club, also took home the championship. Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce, the Intercontinental Derby, is one of the most competitive matches in international football.
The Allianz Arena in Bayern Munich resembles a massive spacecraft that has landed outside of a town. One of the best contemporary stadiums, it was constructed in advance of the 2006 World Cup. Bayern, by far the most successful team in Germany, is also one of the most decorated in all of Europe. Now, 1860 Munich, the other team in the city, plays their home games in the smaller Grunwalder Stadium. Additionally, the Olympiastadion served as the venue for the 1974 World Cup and Euro 88 championships.
In terms of football, Uruguay is very powerful for such a tiny country. Despite having a population of only about 3.4 million, the Celeste are two-time World Cup winners, Olympic champions, and 15-time Copa America winners. With Peñarol and Nacional being the two major clubs and having one of the oldest rivalries in the game, Capital Montevideo is a football fanatic. The Uruguayan Football Museum is located at the Estadio Centenario, which was constructed for the 1930 World Cup.
Some other great football destinations include cities like Paris, Manchester, Glasgow, Cairo, Amsterdam, Naples, and Rome!
