The largest football stadiums in Iran

In today’s world, developed countries are showcasing their capabilities in art, architecture, culture, and engineering by building beautiful stadiums rather than commercial towers. Here are five beautiful football stadiums in Iran (photos included).

According to “Varzesh3”, Iran, which has previously hosted the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup, has made significant efforts to host the AFC Asian Cup in recent years. However, despite these efforts, Iran was not able to secure the hosting rights, and the 2019 tournament was held in the UAE, where Iran was eliminated by Japan in the semifinals, and Qatar won the championship. This was considered a prime opportunity for Iran to claim the title.

Fortunately, in recent years, the importance of constructing beautiful stadiums in Iranian cities has been recognized more than ever, and significant steps have been taken in this regard. One common criticism of Iranian stadiums is the old-fashioned design and the inclusion of tartan tracks, which significantly reduce the stadiums’ aesthetic appeal. Additionally, some newly built stadiums have high capacities in cities where such large capacities are unnecessary. For instance, the Pars Stadium in Shiraz, although modern, lacks the necessary charm due to its tartan track. The question arises: why build a 70,000-seat stadium in Shiraz? Have more than 20,000 spectators ever attended a Shiraz team match, and has anyone ever been left outside during a significant game?

Moreover, some stadiums have been constructed in cities with no football history, and it’s unlikely they will host football teams in the future. In contrast, cities like Anzali and Qaemshahr, which have a longstanding football tradition, still rely on old stadiums.

If the construction of beautiful stadiums in Iran continues, the Iranian Football Federation can confidently bid to host significant matches in the near future, especially since steps are being taken to allow women to attend football matches. This social demand seems likely to be fulfilled soon. Let’s take a brief look at five beautiful football stadiums in Iran.

1- Azadi Stadium

Azadi Stadium, once one of the most beautiful and largest stadiums in the world, is well-known among football enthusiasts worldwide. It was introduced to the football world through the famous Blue-Red derby and has a capacity of 100,000 spectators. Although it was built with a tartan track, it remains a beautiful and nostalgic stadium in Iranian football. With proper and serious renovations, Azadi Stadium can continue to serve Iranian football for many years. Recently, some renovations were made for Persepolis’s AFC Champions League match, but with comprehensive restoration, Azadi can remain one of Iran’s beautiful football stadiums.

2- Takhti Stadium

Takhti Stadium’s unique structure, built long ago, has only one side with stands and a capacity of 30,122 spectators. Many Premier League and even national matches don’t attract this number of spectators. This stadium also needs serious renovation. If the pitch were in good condition, it could host Olympic qualifiers, but unfortunately, it has been neglected. Located in the southern part of the city, it can attract many spectators for significant matches, but due to the pitch’s condition, teams are reluctant to play there.

Built in 1974 and inspired by Munich’s stadium, Takhti Stadium was designed by an Iranian engineer. It is a sports complex and, after Azadi, the second-largest sports complex in the country.

3- Imam Reza Stadium, Mashhad

Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, currently hosting Padideh Mashhad’s matches, was constructed between 2005 and 2016 with a budget of nearly $80 million by Astan Quds Razavi. With a capacity of 27,700, it fills up during Padideh’s home games, as seen in their last match against Zob Ahan.

The stadium’s structure is very beautiful, with a roof constructed by a French company that worked on the London Olympic Stadium and several 2014 World Cup venues. The seats were provided by a Spanish company that previously worked with Real Madrid. The pitch and surrounding tartan track are supported by a German company.

Although approved by Carlos Queiroz for national team matches, the Iranian Football Federation has never shown interest in taking the national team to other cities.

4- Foolad Shahr Stadium

Foolad Shahr Stadium, with a capacity of 30,655, took 10 years and a budget of nearly 150 billion tomans to build. It is the only Premier League club stadium that is both chic and well-equipped. Although clubs like Machine Sazi and Zob Ahan have dedicated stadiums, they cannot compare to Foolad Shahr in terms of professionalism and beauty.

This stadium, perhaps the only one in the country without a tartan track, was engineered and constructed by Iranian experts using the latest global methods. For example, the stadium’s floodlights are pole-free. Foolad’s dedicated stadium can undoubtedly host major international events. The best decision was to consider its capacity and eliminate the tartan track. While Iranians may believe that the bigger the stadium, the better, predicting spectator attendance is crucial, as empty stands can be unattractive.

5- Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium

Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium, with a capacity of 75,000, is the second-largest football stadium in the country. The second tier has yet to be fully utilized. This stadium, which began construction in 1993, faced numerous challenges before reopening in 2016. It currently hosts Sepahan’s Premier League matches. The entire first tier rarely fills up during Sepahan’s home games, leading to complaints from coach Amir Ghalenoei. Additionally, access routes to the stadium pose significant problems for spectators.

With the installation of canopies over the second tier, Naghsh-e Jahan’s beauty would be significantly enhanced. As Isfahan is a historic city, it can be an excellent host for international events.