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Hello, all!
I was thinking it might be fun to turn it to you all again. Shall we?
Ramble of the Day
I have a question, and very little introductory material to begin with: What are some stadiums that are on your bucket list to visit? Two things before I continue: I’ll be sticking to football/soccer, but you can choose any stadium you like; I’m working with the assumption that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is on everyone's list, so no reason to include it.
I’ve basically loved stadiums — and the idea of soaking up different atmospheres — since I became a football fan. I’ll list a few off the top of my head, but I’m basically up for visiting any stadium and watching football in basically any country and probably every stadium. I don’t care if it’s old or if it’s new, or if the stadium’s packed or not. I just want to sample it.
So, the list off the top of my head:
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At the top of my list is the well-known stadium built into a quarry, Estádio Municipal de Braga. It’s obviously gorgeous and unique, making it worth the visit just for the look alone (and maybe worth a stadium tour, too). Bet taking in a match might be fun there, too.
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Estadio Azteca’s on my list mostly for the experience. Naturally, the U.S.-Mexico rivalry is a big part of my football/soccer education and understanding, and taking in not just that game, but any game at the Azteca sounds like an amazing experience. Plus, Mexico City is a very attractive destination (close to the top of my list of places I haven’t visited yet), and it would probably be one of the mandatory stops when I eventually make the trip.
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These are the three Red Bull Arenas — Leipzig, Germany at the top, Salzburg, Austria in the middle, and Harrison, New Jersey on the bottom. (Fun fact — that image is from a Tottenham open training session in 2012 that I went to. Me picking the picture is a matter of coincidence.) I include the American one out of obligation because I’ve been there a gazillion times, but I have this weird and ambitious plan to one day visit all three in a week. It just seems cool and fun, and I can’t explain the appeal beyond that, but it is a unique desire of mine. Maybe then I can discover which one is the best Red Bull Arena to settle the (non-existent) debate once and for all.
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Last one for good measure is the stadium formerly known as Soccer City, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. (Note: I love the name Soccer City.) I took a look at a couple of “best stadium” lists to get some inspiration, and this one automatically stood out to me. Gorgeous on the outside and the inside, I don’t think I’ve actually seen a stadium like it in person. It probably won’t be the first I’ll see that essentially lights up on the outside, but it’s still not a bad one to have on the eventually list.
I’ll cap it there for today. Looks like it’s your turn now.
tl;dr: Some cool stadiums I’d like to visit.
Links of the Day
UEFA might open an investigation after Chelsea fans were heard chanting anti-semitic messages during the team’s Europa League match against MOL Vidi.
FA chairman Martin Glenn has resigned from his post and will leave at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Aston Villa has suspended youth coach Kevin MacDonald after he was accused of bullying by a former player.
Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths is taking a leave of absence to focus on personal issues.
Today’s longer read: Andrew Keh interviews Ada Hegerberg on newfound recognition and achievement and quitting the Norwegian national team for The New York Times