Football
The 7 most intimidating football away days
Could you handle the heat? Here are the world’s scariest soccer grounds for fans of the other team.
Home advantage: we know that it matters, but it's not always easy to say exactly why. Scientists have spent years working on theories around why teams perform so well in their own backyard, but haven't yet cracked the code.
Luckily, when it comes to the arenas below, the answer is simple – they're just scary to visit. A red-hot atmosphere, lack of oxygen and noise louder than a jet taking off – and that's even before kick-off.
Estadio Hernando Siles, Bolivia
Don't look down
© Jose Luis Quintana/CON/Getty
Home to: Club Bolivar, The Strongest, and La Paz FC Capacity: 41,143 Fear factor: 8
Don’t look down. Sitting 3,637m above sea level, Estadio Hernando Siles is one of the highest stadiums in the world. What’s the impact of that? Just ask Lionel Messi, who had to be given oxygen and was sick on the pitch during a 2013 clash between Bolivia and Argentina. “It’s terrible to play here at altitude,” said the Barcelona goal machine. “Some of the players had headaches and felt dizzy. Every time you make an effort to play at high pace, you need to recover.” Next time you go mountain climbing, take a big breath – and then imagine running a 90-minute marathon.
Anfield, England
Don't forget your scarf
© Clive Brunskill/Getty
Home to: Liverpool FC Capacity: 45,522 Fear factor: 7
Being taken off free-kick duty; an international hair gel shortage – it would take a lot to strike real fear into the heart of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. So what was it about Liverpool’s Anfield that led the Portugal star to call it the toughest Premier League ground to visit? Well, let’s start with the fans. It doesn’t hold the most – but these 40,000 are some of the most passionate in the world, and they can carry their team through any situation – just ask Borussia Dortmund, who lost the 2016 Europa League semi-final second leg at Anfield 4–3 in stoppage time, and with it the tie 5–4. Liverpool had needed three goals on aggregate earlier in the match to go through. And then there’s the heritage. One hundred and twenty-four years of it, in fact. Recently, a group of statisticians worked out that Liverpool have won the highest percentage of home games of any team in English Football League history.
Türk Telekom Arena, Turkey
A perfect stadium on a cold winter's night
© Laurence Griffiths/Getty
Home to: Galatasaray Capacity: 52,652 Fear factor: 9
Planning a visit to this Istanbul landmark? Don’t forget your earplugs. The Galatasaray faithful hold the world record for soccer’s loudest fans, having registered an ear-bleeding 131.76 decibels back in 2011. That’s louder than your average rock concert (The Who hit 126 decibels during a homecoming gig in London), operating a chainsaw at close quarters – or even louder than standing behind a fighter jet at take-off. And if your ears aren’t burning, your clothes might be: the Gala fanatics are famous for throwing flares onto the field in order to, er, 'stoke up' the atmosphere.
La Bombonera, Argentina
Climbing the cage
© Valentino Rossi/STR/Getty
Home to: Boca Juniors Capacity: 49,000 Fear factor: 7
There’s a reason why locals call the atmosphere within this structure ‘La 12’ (‘the 12th man’). That’s because, as stunning as it may be, there’s no hiding that it is ridiculously tough for opposition sides to play at. With an unusual, flat side, and the smallest possible pitch size allowed under FIFA regulations, the fans – furiously waving eye-catching blue and gold cloth – are, almost literally, on top of the pitch, creating a caged-in effect. In fact, this place becomes so alive during games that it has even been known to shake – or beat, like a heart.
Stadio San Paolo, Italy
'Beyond the result'
© Maurizio Lagana/Getty
Home to: SSC Napoli Capacity: 60,240 Fear factor: 9
Football is a religion in Naples – and this place is the church. However, for visiting teams, it’s definitely more hell than heaven. Built in 1959, this is not a state-of-the-art or even modern stadium, but more like a medieval arena, with the fans creating a fiery cauldron of an atmosphere. Rich in history, some of the biggest names in football – like Diego Maradona – have graced its turf. Oh, and it also has a pretty insane stadium announcer, who goes by the name of ‘Decibel Bellini’. Bet you can’t guess why.
Camp Nou, Spain
Say hello to the astronauts
© David Ramos/Getty
Home to: FC Barcelona Capacity: 99,354 Fear factor: 7
The home of FC Barcelona, this one makes the cut for sheer size and grandeur. Proving that, sometimes, bigger is better, Camp Nou boasts the largest capacity in Europe, and when the fans whip into a frenzy, you can tell. As if facing Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar isn’t tough enough, try doing it while almost 100,000 voices scream their lungs out in unison. Thinking of going to a game? What are you waiting for? if making your way to the back of the top tier doesn’t take your breath away, the view from your seat certainly will.
Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena, Moldova
Think you can win here? Think again
© Ullstein Bild/Getty
Home to: FC Sheriff Tiraspol Capacity: 13,300 Fear factor: 6
You might not have heard of the Bolshaya Sportivnaya, but it’s probably the most formidable arena in Europe. It looks like a military compound – and it's probably harder to invade. Since moving in 14 years ago, Moldova’s FC Sheriff Tiraspol have won a massive 13 league titles and 11 cups – and only lost eight home league games! They might not be Barcelona or Boca Juniors, but they’ve certainly made a name for themselves on the European stage, scalping the likes of FC Twente and Dynamo Kiev, whilst pushing Marseille and Spurs all the way, too. Not bad for a side ranked 159th in the UEFA standings.