A Retrospective of Famous Olympic Stadiums

The upcoming Olympics 2024 in Paris, France, will be another monumental event. If anything is true to the definition of “Olympic” in size and breadth, it would be the iconic stadiums that the world has come to know. The location of the opening and closing ceremonies alongside the parade of nations, the stadiums are more than a pretty facade. With this theme in mind, LUXUO presents some of the most iconic stadiums used for the Games in recent history. From stadiums inspired by the shape of a bird’s nest to ones that take the shape of Middle Eastern jars — these engineered structures are showstoppers.

Maracaná Stadium

Maracaná Stadium has held many memorable World Cup events. Image: Archidaily.

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Designed by: Raphaël Galvão and Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos in 2013

One of the most incredible gems of international sports in Rio de Janeiro, is Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium. This enormous stadium is more than simply a place for sports; with its unique saucer-shaped design and seating capacity for over 78,000 people, it is a proper football refuge. The Maracaná opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup and has seen some of the most memorable events in the beautiful game’s history. This stadium has played host to two World Cup finals and created memories that will live on in the minds of millions of fans worldwide. Pelé’s iconic goal in the 1970 World Cup final sticks out among these memories; it was a wonderful moment that will live on forever in the annals of football history. The gigantic stadium was designed by seven architects: Raphaël Galvão, Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos, Miguel Feldman, Orlando Azevedo, Waldir Ramos, Oscar Valdetaro, and Antonio Dias Carneiro. The stadium offers a built-up area of 86,000 square metres and has been expanded to approximately 160,000 square metres. The structure has some eco-friendly features, such as reusing water drained from the stadium roof, which saves 45% of the water used in field maintenance.

Beijing National Stadium

Beijing National Stadium, lit up at night, looks like a bird’s nest. Image: Iwan Baan.

Location: Beijing, China
Designed by: Herzog & de Meuron in 2008

The Beijing National Stadium, located in the capital of China, is an architectural masterpiece popularly known as the “Bird’s Nest”. Purpose-built to host the 2008 Olympic Games, this stadium symbolises China’s ambition and greatness on the world stage. Its unique design and capacity for more than 80,000 spectators make it a symbolic monument of modernity and progress in the Asian country. In addition to its impressive structure, the Beijing National Stadium has witnessed sporting and cultural events of international importance, leaving an indelible mark on the history of sport and architecture. Its imposing presence and legacy as host of the Olympic Games make it a symbol of pride for the Chinese people and a must-see destination for visitors who want to see a true modern wonder.

Lusail Stadium

Lusail Stadium’s architecture is inspired by Middle Eastern jars and bowls. Image: Visitqatar.com

Location: Qatar, Dubai
Designed by: Foster + Partners in 2022

Foster + Partners, a renowned architecture firm, created a bold and futuristic stadium in Qatar that blends modern architecture with historical sites. Among the biggest in Qatar, this stadium was the host site for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup (2022). Lusail City Center’s beautiful golden facade is 15 kilometres north of Doha. With space for 8,000 people, Middle Eastern bowls and jars influenced the building’s recognisable shape. It displays its elaborate and well-considered planning and design, which highlights the significance of climate and cultural factors.

The “eye” of Lusail Stadium designed by Foster + Partners. Image: Foster + Partners.

The Lusail Stadium’s high-performance façade and creative design features that aid in lowering energy usage make it another example of sustainable architecture. The stadium’s external façade and design combine modern and traditional architectural elements. The stadium’s external façade serves as a screen to keep the building cool. The entire façade has triangle apertures that function as a perforated screen to filter light entering the building and provide shade. Since the stadium has lowered its energy consumption with high-efficiency façade and sustainable roofing technologies, its design and performance have earned it a five-star grade for the Global Sustainability Assessment System. The stadium is beautifully and intricately designed. Additionally, lighting design is crucial since it highlights attractions for spectators by placing them in key locations across the stadium.

Zaozhuang Stadium

Many sinuous supports hold the roof of Zaozhuang Stadium. Image: Architizer.

Location: Shandong, China, 2017
Designed by: United Atelier

The Zaozhuang Stadium is part of the Cultural and Sports Park in the new city centre. With 40,000 seats, the stadium can accommodate a variety of public events in addition to national and international competitions. The Municipal Plaza and Fengming Lake, which define the city’s north and south axes, are arranged symmetrically in the stadium design, a component of the larger local civic centre project. Scattered throughout this verdant urban park setting are the stadium and additional infrastructure. Situated at the southernmost point of the new city axis, the stadium links squares, main urban spaces, and other sporting venues.

Zaozhuang Stadium cuts a striking figure in the city of Shandong, China. Image: Architizer.

The tension of the PTFE membrane material creates the spoke-shaped oblique cross-light cable film system used in the roofing system. The radial tension of the cable bundle caused by the tension produced with the membrane material makes the whole complex structure light and elegant.

Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium was designed by Dublin-based architects Scott Tallon Walker and worldwide architect Populous. Image: Avivastadium.ie

Location: Dublin, Ireland, 2010
Designed by: Populous and Scott Tallon Walker

Ireland’s national football stadium is the Aviva Stadium, formerly the Lansdowne Road Stadium. The Irish rugby and football teams call this stadium, which was finished in 2010, home and designed in partnership with Dublin-based architects Scott Tallon Walker and worldwide architect Populous. The stadium’s design could have been more modest and expansive to show consideration for the homes on the property’s north and south boundaries. The building’s flowing shape was intended to produce a lovely form while allowing the nearby homes’ ventilation and light to pass through.

Regarding the context of the site and its surroundings, the Aviva Stadium is the most creatively planned. A new stadium with a 50,000-seat capacity was constructed because the capacity of the old stadium could not accommodate the number of attendees. Together with concerts and other events, the famous stadium is the site of international rugby and soccer matches. Software used for parametric design was used to create the architecture’s recognisable, intricate, undulating appearance. Visitors and spectators are treated to stunning views as the structure’s striking design rises in both the east and the west. The stadium’s primary steel grid is fashioned like a horseshoe and is held up by columns that dangle over the seating levels. The structure’s characteristic front is covered in glass and polycarbonate louvres, creating a stunning sky background.

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