They comply with all crowd and safety regulations, offer comfort and superior views of the pitch, and employ the latest technology. They have provided clubs with new commercial opportunities and increased revenues, and have often led to significant growth in attendances.
Still, many fans consider them to be a dime in a dozen with a lack of soul. They have seen the same kind of arenas pop up in places all over Europe and long back to their old stadium, that, though lacking comfort, made up in atmosphere and character.
They are the new generation of mid-size European arenas. Part of a massive regeneration of football stadiums that started in the mid 1990s and continues up until today.
We present you ten of them in this photo gallery. They range in capacity from 20,000 to 33,000, and have all been built in the last seven years. What do you think, soulless concrete boxes or the salvation of football?
