Experiencing a legendary concert in one of the world’s most iconic stadiums is something you never forget. However, the scale of investment behind these stadiums often reaches billions of dollars, as seen with SoFi Stadium’s $5.5 billion price tag. Many incorporate innovative features, like Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s unique retractable roof system with independent petals that can create either a closed dome or a circular skylight.
These ten stadiums demonstrate the evolution of venue design, each adding distinct character to the world of sports and entertainment architecture. From Wembley Stadium’s iconic 134-metre-high arch supporting 75% of the roof load to Singapore National Stadium’s world’s largest self-supporting dome spanning 312 meters, these structures showcase the latest in construction technology and sustainable design.
SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium stands as the most expensive stadium ever constructed, with development and construction costs exceeding $5 billion. The 298-acre complex includes retail spaces, commercial offices, a hotel, residential units, and outdoor parks, making it a comprehensive mixed-use development. Ed Sheeran would go on to break attendance records to the stadium with a performance that drew more than 80,000 people to the venue.
The stadium features a revolutionary cable net roof structure covered with translucent ETFE panels, including 46 mechanized vents for temperature control. The 13-acre roof consists of 302 ETFE panels and uses more than 1,400 tons of double orthogonal grid steel, supported by a 20,000-ton steel truss compression ring that connects to the ground at three points.
Yankee Stadium
The 2009 Yankee Stadium project saw its initial $1.3 billion cost estimate balloon to $2.3 billion during construction. The increased costs stemmed from additional amenities like parking garages, with the federal government providing $431 million in subsidies through tax-free municipal bonds.
The stadium has been home to a variety of massive concerts, and not just baseball games. For example, Metallica’s “Big 4” show was played here, and drew in 42,000 people. Interesting, the stadium has also been host to historically significant gatherings – such as a massive welcome from 80,000 people to Nelson Mandela following his release from South African prison.
Allegiant Stadium
Allegiant Stadium opened in 2020 with a construction cost of $1.9 billion, following a three-year building period that began in November 2017. The stadium incorporates an interchangeable playing surface system that allows for both natural grass for Raiders games and artificial turf for UNLV Rebels games.
The venue holds 65,000 people for NFL games and can expand to accommodate 71,835 attendees for special events. The stadium hosts multiple major sporting events, including the Las Vegas Bowl, and Pac-12 Championship Game, and will serve as the venue for the 2028 Men’s Final Four. Moreover, the stadium regularly hosts massive concerts, the highest-grossing of which include artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyoncé, and the Rolling Stones.
MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium encompasses 2.1 million square feet and required a $1.6 billion investment to construct. The stadium holds 82,500 people for football games, though it once accommodated 82,529 during Super Bowl XLVIII.
The venue holds the distinction of serving as the home field for both the New York Giants and New York Jets, making it unique among NFL stadiums. The stadium’s been packed to the brim multiple times, including an eye-popping 105,000 people for a Rolling Stones concert in 2019.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium cost $1.6 billion to construct, significantly more than its initial $1 billion estimate. The stadium accommodates 71,000 spectators, an increase from the original plan of 65,000. An ATLive event drew over 100,000 people to watch acts like Eric Church and George Strait.
The stadium’s design includes a unique retractable roof system with independent petals that can create either a closed dome or a circular skylight. A distinctive panoramic screen surrounds the internal perimeter of the roof, ensuring visibility for all attendees.
Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium cost £798 million to build (equivalent to £1.51 billion today), constructed by Australian firm Multiplex. The stadium’s defining feature, the 134-metre-high Wembley Arch, supports over 75% of the roof load while serving as a London landmark.
The construction required 90,000 cubic meters of concrete and 23,000 tonnes of steel. The facility contains 2,618 toilets, features 56 kilometers of power cables, and rests on 4,000 separate foundation piles. The venue itself has been host to multiple massive concerts throughout its storied history, including artists like Adele, Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson.
AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium’s construction costs rose from an estimated $650 million to $1.15 billion. The City of Arlington supported the project with $325 million in bonds, funded through increases in sales tax, hotel occupancy tax, and car rental tax.
The NFL provided an additional $150 million loan to facilitate construction. The project required moving 1.4 million cubic yards of earth to create a 13-to-14-acre stadium bowl averaging 54 feet deep. Recently, the stadium hosted the final performance in George Strait’s final tour: “The Cowboy Rides Away”, and drew in nearly 105,000 people.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s costs escalated from initial estimates of £400 million to approximately £1 billion. The stadium holds 62,062 spectators, making it the third-largest venue in the Premier League.
The South Stand functions as the designated home end, accommodating 17,500 fans in a single tier. The project forms part of the larger Northumberland Development Project, aimed at regenerating the surrounding area.
Singapore National Stadium
Singapore National Stadium cost S$1.87 billion to construct as part of the Singapore Sports Hub development. The stadium features the world’s largest self-supporting dome, spanning 312 meters, with a retractable roof system requiring 20 minutes to open or close.
The venue accommodates multiple sports configurations, offering 55,000 seats for football/rugby, 52,000 for cricket, and 50,000 for athletics. Each seat includes an individual cooling system that delivers 12 liters of cool air per second. Taylor Swift currently holds the record for the largest concert at the venue, attracting around 63,000 people.
Levi’s Stadium
Levi’s Stadium required a $1.2 billion investment and achieved LEED Gold certification as the first new-construction NFL stadium to reach this environmental standard. The stadium holds 68,500 seats with expansion capability to 72,000, including 9,000 club seats and 176 luxury suites.
The construction utilized a first-of-its-kind hybrid design-build model that emphasized owner-project team collaboration. The stadium includes nine club spaces and features one of the NFL’s largest lower seating bowls. Ed Sheeran holds the record for largest concert at the venue – drawing roughly 80,000 people to the stadium.
