New Stadiums Opening in 2026

The world of stadium design is evolving quickly, with many exciting new projects set to open in 2026. These new venues will feature cutting-edge technology, improved fan experiences, and modern architectural designs. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated stadiums set to open across the globe.

Croatia: Stadion Zagreb

• Location: Zagreb, Croatia
• Capacity: 11,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Stadion Zagreb will be Croatia's second major football stadium, following years of need for modern sporting facilities. The stadium’s design will remove the cycling track around the field, bringing the stands closer to the pitch for a more football-focused layout. After the renovation, the venue will meet the requirements to host European Cup matches and national team fixtures. This project will help modernise the Croatian sports infrastructure significantly.

Russia: Streltsov Stadium

• Location: Moscow, Russia
• Capacity: 15,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Located along the banks of the Moscow River, Streltsov Stadium is a historic venue, originally opened in 1953. The stadium will undergo a significant upgrade, removing the athletics track and adding a more traditional football layout. The redesign will feature an oval-shaped canopy to reduce match-day noise, making it one of Moscow’s most beautifully located stadiums sponsored by best online casinos not on GamStop.

Bulgaria: Stadion Balgarska Armia

• Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
• Capacity: 16,000
• Type: Football Stadium

CSKA Sofia’s new home, Stadion Balgarska Armia, is being constructed on the site of the demolished old stadium. The new stadium will have a modern rectangular layout without an athletics track, making it more suited for football matches. Notably, the stadium will also feature environmentally friendly solutions, including rainwater collection and solar energy.

France: Stade Armand-Cesari

• Location: Bastia, France
• Capacity: 16,500
• Type: Football Stadium

Stade Armand-Cesari is set for a major upgrade, with work to rebuild the stand behind the eastern goal. The project will also extend the roof over the north and south stands to provide full coverage for all spectators. Additionally, new spaces will be created within the stadium, including a museum and a restaurant, along with a new VIP area in the south stand.

Israel: Ashdod Stadium

• Location: Ashdod, Israel
• Capacity: 20,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

Ashdod Stadium will be one of the most advanced sports venues in Israel. Alongside the new stadium, a sports complex will be built, featuring an Olympic swimming pool and training facilities. The existing UT Alive Stadium will be demolished to make way for housing developments once the new stadium is completed.

Uganda: Hoima Stadium

• Location: Hoima, Uganda
• Capacity: 20,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

Hoima Stadium is being constructed as part of Uganda’s preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This venue will be one of three new stadiums in Uganda used for the tournament. The stadium’s design focuses on providing a modern facility to host both football and rugby matches.

Italy: Stadio Erasmo Iacovone

• Location: Taranto, Italy
• Capacity: 21,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Taranto’s Stadio Erasmo Iacovone is expected to open in 2026, just ahead of the Mediterranean Games. The stadium will feature two levels of stands, with seating for 21,000 spectators once the renovation is complete. The project is expected to mark the start of a wider initiative to modernise Italy’s sporting infrastructure.

USA: Miami Freedom Park

• Location: Miami, USA
• Capacity: 25,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Miami Freedom Park, part of a project linked to David Beckham, will include a 25,000-seat stadium along with public parks, restaurants, shops, and football pitches for the community. This private investment project will also create over 13,000 jobs. The stadium is expected to open in 2026, and there’s speculation that football icon Lionel Messi might attend the opening.

Tanzania: Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium

• Location: Arusha, Tanzania
• Capacity: 30,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

Named after Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, this stadium will host both football and rugby matches. It will be one of the key venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. With a projected cost of over £110 million, the stadium is set to be a modern, multi-purpose arena.

New Zealand: One New Zealand Stadium

• Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Capacity: 30,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

One New Zealand Stadium will primarily serve as a rugby venue but will also host football matches. The stadium will feature stands for 30,000 spectators, with a full canopy covering both the stands and the pitch. The project will be located in the heart of Christchurch city and will also serve as a hub for concerts and other events.

Japan: Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium

• Location: Nagoya, Japan
• Capacity: 30,000
• Type: Athletics Stadium

Nagoya’s Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium will cater primarily to athletics events, but it will also host football matches. The two-tiered stadium will feature a unique wooden design in the stands and a roof with an irregular shape. The venue will provide a state-of-the-art facility for both local and international sporting events.

France: Stade de la Meinau

• Location: Strasbourg, France
• Capacity: 32,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Stade de la Meinau’s renovation project will focus on preserving the existing canopies while making major changes to the stadium’s structure. The south stand will be reconstructed, and solar panels will be added. Notably, the solar screens will be made from the fuselages of Airbus A340 aircraft, making this stadium a unique example of sustainable design.

USA: Ryan Field

• Location: Evanston, USA
• Capacity: 35,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Ryan Field, home to the Northwestern Wildcats, will undergo a complete rebuild in 2026. The new stadium will have three tiers of stands, with an entirely covered auditorium. The design will take inspiration from the iconic Chicago Stadium, creating a modern venue for college football.

Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek Arena

• Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan • Capacity: 45,000
• Type: Football Stadium

The Bishkek Arena will be a modern, 45,000-seat stadium located at the foot of the Kyrgyz Mountains. The design will incorporate both modern and traditional elements, with a circular grandstand layout and VIP amenities. The project aims to create a venue that blends contemporary sports infrastructure with local architectural styles.

Saudi Arabia: Aramco Stadium

• Location: Al Qadsiah, Saudi Arabia
• Capacity: 46,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Aramco Stadium will feature a dynamic spiral design inspired by the swirling patterns of water. The two-tiered stadium will host football matches and will be completed by the first half of 2026, ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup. The roof and façade will feature repeated overlapping segments to create a fluid, water-like appearance.

Kenya: Talanta Stadium

• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Capacity: 60,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

Talanta Stadium will primarily be used for football and rugby matches. It will be built in the Jamhuri grounds area, approximately 10 km west of Nairobi’s city centre. This stadium will also serve as a host for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and will be one of the largest stadiums in East Africa.

China: Wuxi Olympic Sports Centre Stadium

• Location: Wuxi, China
• Capacity: 60,000
• Type: Multi-sport Stadium

The Wuxi Olympic Sports Centre will be a state-of-the-art sports complex featuring a 60,000-seat football stadium. The design will incorporate a roof and a light, transparent membrane covering the entire facility. The stadium will also include an athletics track and will follow sustainable design principles.

England: Etihad Stadium

• Location: Manchester, England
• Capacity: 61,500
• Type: Football Stadium

Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium will undergo an expansion with a new third tier added to the south stand. The project, expected to be completed by 2026, will increase the stadium’s capacity to 61,500. This will improve the fan experience and help Manchester City meet growing demand for tickets.

USA: New Highmark Stadium

• Location: Buffalo, USA
• Capacity: 62,000
• Type: Football Stadium

The New Highmark Stadium in Buffalo will replace the existing arena with a state-of-the-art venue. The stadium will feature a roof, and the stands will be arranged in several tiers to accommodate 62,000 spectators. This project will also bring extensive commercial and catering facilities.

Spain: Spotify Camp Nou

• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Capacity: 105,000
• Type: Football Stadium

Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou is set for a major renovation, including the construction of a new third floor and the addition of a VIP ring. The expansion will increase the stadium's capacity to over 105,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football venues in Europe. The final stages of the renovation are scheduled to complete by 2026.