Inside Club World Cup stadiums with $1.6BILLION arena that hosted Taylor Swift concert and NFL team's home ground

The Sun

6 hours ago

THE Club World Cup kicks off this Saturday and preparations are underway in the United States.
Some of the globe's top clubs will take part in a new-look tournament over the next month, each battling for a place in the final on July 13 in New Jersey.
With 32 teams competing, some of the biggest and most iconic stadiums in the US have been selected as host venues.
From the MetLife Stadium to Lincoln Financial Field, SunSport has looked at each of the grounds in preparation for the tournament.
Rose Bowl (Los Angeles)
The Rose Bowl is an 88,700-capacity stadium located in Pasedena, California.
First opened in 1922, the venue primarily hosted American football games throughout its early years.
It instantly became home to the Rose Bowl Game, a yearly college football game played on New Year's Day.
In addition, the Rose Bowl has played host to five Super Bowl games, the most recent being in 1992.
Although it is primarily recognised for its American football history, the stadium is also used for regular football.
It hosted the 1994 World Cup final and the 1999 Women's World Cup final.
Furthermore, the US men's national team has played there 17 times and it was previously the home fo LA Galaxy for six years.
The Rose Bowl has also hosted some huge entertainment events and concerts.
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The likes of Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Green Day have all played there.
Oasis are scheduled to perform at the stadium in September this year.
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MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
The MetLife Stadium is an 82,500-capacity stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
It is the designated venue for the Club World Cup final this summer, which is set for July 13.
Opened just 15 years ago, the stadium - which cost an estimated $1.6billion (£1.2bn) to build - has played host to numerous NFL games and is now home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants.
It also hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, which was won by the Seattle Seahawks.
The US men's national team has played there on several occasions, with some pre-season friendlies having taken place at the ground as well - including a match between Arsenal and Manchester United in 2023 and one between Barcelona and Real Madrid last year.
In addition, the likes of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Elton John, Lady Gaga and P!nk are among the stars to have performed there.
Taylor Swift also performed three dates of her iconic Eras Tour at the MetLife Stadium two years ago and had a record-breaking total attendance of 217,625 fans across the weekend.
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Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
The Bank of America Stadium is a 74,800-capacity venue in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Opened in 1996, the stadium has continued hosting every Carolina Panthers game.
It is also the home of MLS team Charlotte FC, founded six years ago.
In addition, several international football matches and club friendlies have taken place there.
The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and SZA are all among the acts to have performed there.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a 71,000-seater venue in Atlanta, Georgia.
Opened in August 2017, it is one of the youngest stadiums on this list and cost an estimated $1.6bn to build.
The venue has played host to several high school and college American football events alongside NFL games.
It hosted Super Bowl LIII in 2019, which was won by the New England Patriots.
And it is next due to host the showpiece NFL event in 2028, as announced in October last year.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also home to MLS team Atlanta United.
Atlanta have played every home match at the venue since moving there from the Bobby Dodd Stadium in the year it was opened.
Several international matches have been played there as well, including two in the 2024 Copa America.
Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Beyonce are among the superstars to have played concerts there
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Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Lincoln Financial Field is a 77,900-seater stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It was opened in August 2003 and is home to Super Bowl winners the Philadelphia Eagles.
The stadium also hosts games for the Temple Owls football team of Temple University.
Although it is primarily known for American football, regular football has been played there on several occasions.
Some international games have taken place at Lincoln Financial Field, as well as some club friendlies.
It even played host to four group games at the 2003 Women's World Cup.
At this summer's Club World Cup, seven matches will be played there in total, including a quarter-final.
Some of the world's biggest music acts have also played at the stadium.
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Lumen Field (Seattle)
Based in Seattle, Lumen Field has a capacity of 68,740 and is home to NFL team Seattle Seahawks, MLS team Seattle Sounders and NWSL outfit Seattle Reign.
It opened in 2002 and cost an estimated $752million (£554m) to build.
It is used for both American and regular football, putting it in good stead to host three group stage games and three knockout games at this year's Club World Cup.
A temporary grass surface is set to be installed especially for the event.
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Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
The Hard Rock Stadium is a 65,000-capacity venue based Miami, Florida.
It is home to the Miami Dolphins of the NFL and college American football team the Miami Hurricanes.
The stadium has played host to numerous major events over the years, including six Super Bowls and two World Series.
It has also held some regular football games - including the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.
Eight Club World Cup matches are set to be played there, including the opening match betweem Al-Ahly and Inter Miami.
In addition, Paul McCartney, Guns N' Roses, Madonna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce are among the music artists to have performed there on their respective tours.
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Camping World Stadium (Orlando)
The Camping World Stadium was opened in late 1936 and is located in Orlando, Florida - less than a mile away from the Inter&Co Stadium, which is also set to host Club World Cup matches.
It has continued to host different sports - mainly American and regular football - over the years.
From 2017 to 2020 it held the NFL Pro Bowl, which then returned last year under the new title of Pro Bowl Games.
In terms of football, matches were held there in both the men's and women's competitions at the 1996 Olympic Games.
MLS side Orlando City played there from 2015 to 2016, as did NWSL team Orlando Pride when they were established nine years ago.
Four Club World Cup games will be held there, including a round-of-16 match and a quarter-final.
It has a capacity of 65,000.
Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando)
Just a short walk from the Camping World Stadium is the Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando.
It is a football-specific venue that is the home of MLS side Orlando City and NWSL club Orlando Pride.
Opened in 2017, it has a capacity of 25,500 and cost around $155m to build.
As well as club football, several international games - both men's and women's - have taken place there.
The stadium will host two games for the Club World Cup.
Geodis Park (Nashville)
Geodis Park is a 30,109-seater football-specific stadium located in Nashville, Tennessee.
It has been the home of MLS club Nashville SC for the last three years and has also hosted a number of international games.
Three Club World Cup group stages matches will be held at the venue, which cost an estimated $335m to build, this summer.
Guns N' Roses and Green Day have both played concerts there in recent years.
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TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the TQL stadium is a 26,000-seater football-specific venue that is the home of FC Cincinnati.
It was opened just four years ago and cost around $250m to build.
FC Cincinnati have played every home game at the stadium since it was opened, with some international games also taking place there.
Four Club World Cup games will be played there, with the first on June 15.
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Audi Field (Washington D.C.)
Audi Field is a football-specific venue in Washington D.C.
It is the home of MLS club D.C. United as well as women's teams DC Power and Washington Spirit.
Having cost $450m to build, it opened in 2018 with a match between D.C. United and Vancouver Whitecaps.
International games have also taken place at the stadium.
Three Club World Cup games will take place at Audi Field this summer.