Out of Play
Check out the seven most expensive stadiums in the sporting world
CHELSEA made a massive blunder in the planning of their new 60,000-seater stadium… and could now be out of pocket £1BILLION.
The Blues were originally quoted a price of around £500million when they received planning permission in January.
According to The Times, the final bill could come to double the original estimate… because building their new home could take five or six years.
Economic factors over that period – such as Brexit and the exchange rate – could hit Chelsea in their pocket.
But where would the Premier League side’s new stadium rank amongst the most expensive stadiums of all-time? Find out below…
7. Levi’s Stadium
Cost: £990m
Teams: San Francisco 49ers
Opened: 2014
Capacity: 68,500
HOME of the San Francisco 49ers, the Levi’s Stadium seats a whopping 68,500.
In 2016, the arena in Santa Clara had the honour of hosting the Superbowl in its 50th year.
The near-£1bn stadium has also been used a host of times by European football giants for pre-season tours in the past few seasons.
6. AT&T Stadium
Cost: £990m
Teams: Dallas Cowboys
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 80,000
FORMERLY known as the Cowboys Stadium, another near-£1bn arena, the AT&T Stadium seats a gigantic 80,000 spectators.
Home to NFL side the Dallas Cowboys, it was opened in 2009 after four years of construction.
The arena boasts one of the largest HD screens in the world – hanging over the middle of the field.
5. Wembley Stadium
Cost: £1.06bn
Teams: England, Tottenham (for 2017-18)
Opened: 2007
Capacity: 90,000
AT just over £1bn, Wembley was worth the seven-year wait.
The original Wembley was torn down in 2000, with the new 90,000 arena sitting on the very same spot in North London.
Home of England’s national football team, it’s also being used by Tottenham for all home games in the 2017-18 season.
Wembley also hosts major music concerts and a couple of NFL games – amongst other events – every year.
4. Montreal Olympic Stadium
Cost: £1.14bn
Teams: No regular tenant
Opened: 1976
Capacity: 80,000
AT a whopping £1.14bn, the Olympic Stadium in Montreal doesn’t even play host to a regular team.
Built for the the Olympic Games in 1976, the arena was the home of the Montreal Expos until 2004 – before they moved to Washington DC.
The massive 80,000-seater stadium occasionally plays host to Montreal Impact (football) and Montreal Alouettes (Canadian football).
3. Yankee Stadium
Cost: £1.14bn
Teams: New York Yankees, New York City FC
Opened: 2009
Capacity: 49,642
THE new Yankee Stadium not only plays host to arguably the most successful team in baseball history… but also one of its newest football teams.
The Yankees opened the new near-50,000-seater stadium in 2009, with New York City FC also playing their matches in the ground.
The arena is set to host Patrick Vieira’s men until they can find a permanent home of their own, but they could do worse than the £1.14bn stadium.
2. MetLife Stadium
Cost: £1.21bn
Teams: New York Giants; New York Jets
Opened: 2010
Capacity: 82,566
THE second-largest NFL stadium, the MetLife Stadium may have cost an absolute fortune… but it was a bargain for the Giants and the Jets.
After all, the two New York-based American football teams split the cost down the middle.
The massive arena has also hosted such huge events as Wrestlemania 29 and Superbowl XLVIII.
1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Cost: £1.38bn
Teams: Atlanta United
Opened: 2017
Capacity: 71,000
THE newest and arguably most impressive on the list, the No2 spot goes to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The 71,000-seater stadium may not be the biggest, but Atlanta United fans are certainly happy with it.
Amongst its many features, the arena boasts a 1,100ft-long, 58ft-tall, 360-degree big screen, an LED-clad coliseum and well over 1,200 beer taps.