BBC Sport reporters and commentators have been sharing their verdicts on the venues across Mexico, the United States and Canada at this summer’s World Cup.
With 16 cities across three nations hosting matches, the tournament has offered a wide variety of stadium experiences for fans, players and media alike.
John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live’s senior commentator, was full of praise for the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where the opening game was played.
Murray said the ground has “football history oozing out of every crevice,” pointing to Carlos Alberto’s famous goal in the 1970 final and Diego Maradona’s exploits for Argentina in 1986.
He noted that “the pitch seems to have that same shimmering quality” he remembered from watching the tournament on television as a child, adding it “should be hosting the final.”
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin highlighted the impressive sightlines at Boston Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, though he pointed to significant issues with signage and accessibility.
Nevin joked that “even Erling Haaland would look like an ant” from the elevated media positions, and noted that getting to the ground from Boston “takes an eternity.”
BBC Sport football reporter Gary Rose named Seattle’s Lumen Field as the standout venue of his World Cup experience, citing its extraordinary atmosphere and stunning visual backdrop.
Rose described how the curved roof design acts as an amplifier, meaning crowd noise bounces back toward the pitch, causing the stadium to “physically shake with the noise.”
BBC commentator Vicki Sparks also singled out Lumen Field, noting it has made the Guinness Book of World Records twice for its noise levels, and that the roar can be heard from a 25-minute walk away.
Sparks described the north stand as “particularly striking,” saying it “juts up like the bow of a ship on a wave’s crest,” with views of the Seattle skyline visible from inside the ground.
Neil Johnston praised Philadelphia Stadium’s vibrant atmosphere, noting fans congregated around the famous Rocky statue, while Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti produced a wonderful occasion inside the ground.
Johnston highlighted the tailgating culture as a distinctive feature, with fans gathering in parking lots to cook, eat and drink before kick-off in one of the few World Cup grounds to allow the tradition.
Phil McNulty described Dallas Stadium as “superbly appointed,” with a closed roof and air conditioning creating what he called “a cool environment close to perfection for players and supporters.”
BBC presenter Kelly Somers echoed that sentiment, saying the vastness of the Dallas venue makes you “feel incredibly small,” while praising the central screens that helped visibility from the upper tiers.
Ian Dennis of BBC Radio 5 Live reserved his overall preference for Atlanta, despite being initially stunned by the MetLife Stadium, which he described as “a stadium to take your breath away” in a post that received more than five million views online.
Dennis noted that Atlanta’s striking exterior of glass and steel, combined with its unique interior layout featuring escalators, walkways and a giant circular television screen, delivered the best overall fan experience of the venues he visited.
Elizabeth Conway gave her top marks to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, calling it “a phenomenal open-air venue” with great city views and a match-day atmosphere enhanced by the city’s legendary tailgating and barbecue culture.
Conway witnessed Lionel Messi score a historic hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 opening win over Algeria at the ground, describing the sight of the sun setting over the stadium as “an unforgettable occasion.”
