For the uninitiated, there’s nothing more surreal than the conglomerates of fans that group together in unison to turn the world's footballing cathedrals into cauldrons of noise and song. In America, this sort of thing can be seen in college football and basketball, but the choreographed support largely dies at the professional level (save for a stadium wave here and a seventh-inning stretch there).
MLS is changing that, with Minnesota United’s 2,920-seat, safe standing “Wonderwall” section being the most recent example, but still, nothing compares to these famous stands at historically world-renowned grounds.
The Most Famous Stands In Football
Borussia Dortmund | Westfalenstadion
The “Yellow Wall”
Dortmund’s southern terrace, famously known as the “Yellow Wall,” is Europe’s largest free-standing section with a capacity of 25,000.
Liverpool | Anfield
The Kop
A single tier that has a capacity of 12,409 and is home to the Kopites, Liverpool’s most vocal supporters.
Tottenham | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The South Stand
The largest single-tier stand in England, Tottenham’s Park Lane end has seating for 17,500 fans at a 34 degree incline.
Newcastle United | St James’ Park
Gallowgate End
The moniker refers to the stand’s proximity to the old City gallows, and the southern end is where the most vociferous and rowdy of the Geordies sit.
Boca Juniors | La Bombonera
The North Stand
While the entire stadium combines to create the most insane atmosphere on the planet, the North Stand is where “La Doce” (“The 12th Man”) has its spiritual home.
Celtic | Parkhead
Lisbon Lions Stand
The east stand of the ground holds 13,000, including a section of 2,975 rail seats (safe standing). This section is home to the Green Brigade, Celtic’s ultra group.
Real Madrid | Santiago Bernabéu
Lateral Este
Beginning with the 2017-18 season, Real Madrid moved its most vocal supporters behind this goal in a new singing section. The Grada fans are easily spottable as they’re all dressed in white.
Aston Villa | Villa Park
Holte End
With a capacity of 13,472, the Holte End is one of the largest stands in England. Welcome back to the Premier League, lads.
Manchester United | Old Trafford
Stretford End
"Attacking the Stretford End..." still has an aura to it, and for good reason: The 14,263 in this stand provide Old Trafford with its atmosphere.
AC Milan | San Siro
Curva Sud
The south end of the San Siro is home to Milan's ultras, and they regularly create some of the world's most impressive tifos.