EVERY STADIUM HAS A STORY TO TELL.

Camp Nou, May 2016

On a short stint to Barcelona during a family trip, I was blessed enough to tour my favorite club’s stadium, Camp Nou!  The Camp Nou is the most visited stadium in Spain, which is saying something as El Clasico rivals, Los Blancos’ stadium, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, resides in Madrid. It is also, the most visited stadium in the entire world.  The facility itself holds more than 98,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in Europe.  Despite it holding less than Michigan Stadium, the second largest stadium in the world, it actually feels much more immense due to the stadium seating and several tiers of seats within the facility.  It was such a thrill to step foot onto the same pitch that some of the all-time greats have played on. It is also a great moment to walk through the tunnel that leads from the locker room past a chapel and out to the bench and pitch. 

The experience here alone could have ended and I would have been satisfied, but then there is the FC Barcelona museum. Littered with club and player trophies and memorabilia, the museum, with incredible design, pays homage and respect to the storied team.  One of my favorite parts of the museum is an interactive experience, where you are able to here the sounds of a game-day crowd, as you watch a filmed crowd on a large screen. So, even though I didn't have the pleasure of watching a game, at the Camp Nou, I got to taste the experience.  Lastly, the stadium is situated in a neighborhood filled with housing, shops, and restaurants, with a stunning view of the Tibidabo Mountains. Oh, and I can’t forget, the Barcelona Mega Store. It is three floors filled with everything FCB from apparel to homeware, to soccer balls. It even has a customization section, for on the spot apparel personalization, of which I took full advantage.  It was truly the most fun and impressive stadium tour that I've ever taken.

Inside Camp Nou | Gallery

Stade de france, May 2016

Just days before touring the Camp Nou, my father-in-law and I went to the Stade de France in Saint Denis, just outside of Paris.  We attended the Coupe de France Finale between Le Classique rivals, Paris Saint Germain and Marseille. It was an unbelievable experience, and words can’t quite do it justice, but I’ll try. The stadium itself, which houses the French National Team as well as hosts the Coupe de France Finale every year, holds roughly 80,000 fans.  It is almost fortress-like experience, as on our game-day, there were three security checkpoints.  The first checkpoint was a block away from the stadium and the last was at our specific section’s gate.  Our seats were in row two of the mezzanine, in line with one of the goals, and had a spectacular view of the pitch. Our covered overhang, also, kept us dry whilst it rained intermittently throughout the first half.  The atmosphere was all that I hoped for with both fanbases throwing chants at each other and shooting off flares.  Important side note, stay away from Marseille fans unless you're rooting for Les Olympiens. We witnessed them starting riots in the streets before the game and lighting several fires inside the Stade de France after the game. Passion runs high in the city of love.

INSIDE STADE DE FRANCE | GALLERY

Aviva Stadium, August 2013

My wife and I toured Aviva Stadium while on our honeymoon.  Aviva is home to the Ireland National Soccer and Rugby teams, as well as to club Leinster Rugby.  It has also played host to a couple of college football games, most notably Notre Dame vs Navy in September of 2012.  The stadium, which sits on the banks of the River Dodder, is said to be the greenest stadium in the world.  This because the glass facade catches rain water, that gets recycled into usage for the restrooms, kitchens, etc. within the stadium.  Also, the scrapes of building from the old arena, Landsdowne Road Stadium, that originally graced the grounds, were recycled and used for Aviva’s construction.  It’s considered a true gem of European facilities, which led to it hosting the 2011 Europa League Final. And, we will all be able to enjoy it as it hosts the upcoming EURO 2020 fixtures. While there was a focus on the stadiums construction and architecture during the tour, we were able to enjoy some memorabilia as well, most excitedly we were able to see a signed Brazilian jersey by the one and only Pelé. The stadium is known as the greenest in the world for its sustainability, but it's worth noting that the grass, like all grass in Ireland, is exceptionally green. As, I sit here writing this in Detroit, Michigan, the grass really is greener on the other side.

INSIDE AVIVA STADIUM | GALLERY

Michigan Stadium, July 2016

The “Big House”, as it’s referred to by many Wolverines, is home to the University of Michigan Football Team.  It’s the largest stadium in the United States and the second largest in the world, behind Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea.  By way of being a Michigan native, residing in Metro Detroit and in general a football fan, I’ve been to the Big House on several occasions. Most recently, I was drawn to the Big House for a different kind of football match to watch Real Madrid take on Chelsea in the International Champions Cup.  The crowd drew over 100,000 fans, who were delighted to get a rare chance to see their favorite international footballing stars in action.  I, particularly, enjoyed seeing Brazilian fullback Marcelo, who was player of the match, and Spanish center back Sergio Ramos, in-person.  The only real disappointment from the match and more poignantly for my wife, was that Cristiano Ronaldo was recovering from an injury sustained in the EURO 2016 Final, thus he didn’t make the trip.  Michigan Stadium is a must see venue for those here in the States, particularly during night games, when the energy is at an all time high.  Finally, although, it is a bit against my religion, as a Notre Dame fan, the maize out is pretty cool sight to see.