When we think soccer pitches, the first ones that come to mind are popular stadiums like Wembley Stadium. We looked a little further and found that pitches can exist in unlikely and beautiful places. Here we present a list of mind-boggling examples.
1. Agdz, Mexico
Photo: Cultura/Rex
A desert pitch in Tamnougalt village, near Agdz, Morocco.
2. Ko Panyi Muslim Stilt Village, Thailand
Photo: Larry Goodman/Alamy
Floating soccer field at Ko Panyi Muslim stilt village with Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park in background in southern Thailand. We wonder what happens if a badly aimed kick sends the ball off the platform, though.
3. La Paz, Bolivia
Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images
Right smack in the middle of the residential area, the perfect central node for everyone to join the good game!
4. Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium in Switzerland
Photo: Anthony Cullen/Ford Fascinating World of Football
At 2,000 metres above sea level, the Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium in Switzerland is Europe’s highest pitch – and we daresay one of its most beautiful ones.
5. Rock at Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar
Photo:Marcos Moreno/AFP/Getty Images
Imagine playing while enjoying the lovely view of the mountains. Victoria Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Gibraltar. It is currently used mostly for football matches, but also hosts the yearly Gibraltar Music Festival.
6. Sao Carlos favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo: Tony Burns/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image
A community football pitch in the Sao Carlos favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
7. The Float at Marina Bay, Singapore
Photo:Paul Briden/Alamy
The Float at Marina Bay, right here in Singapore, is the world’s largest floating football stadium. The surface is made entirely of steel and is so strong that it can bear the weight of more than 9000 people. In spite of having seating facility only on one end, the gallery around it can host 30,000 people.
8. The Adidas Futsal Park, Tokyo
Photo: Shaun Botterill/FIFA/Getty Images
The Adidas Futsal Park in Tokyo sits on top of the Tokyu Toyoko department store, high above Shibuya district. It’s one of a mini-chain of futsal facilities operated by Tokyu (parent company of Tokyu Hands) with Adidas branding, called Adidas Futsal Park. There are five of them in total; the others are in Ikebukuro, two are in Yokohama, and one in Kawasaki. The Ikebukuro one is also on the rooftop of a building.
9. Imotski, Croatia
Photo: Terrain News
Built in 1989 to serve as home stadium for the NK Imotski football club who play in Druga HNL, Croatia’s second level, the Stadion Gospin dolac is truly one of the great wonders of the fútbol world thanks to the bygone relics of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires that surround it. It is also close to rocky cliffs and a jaw-dropping 500-meter drop into the Modro Jezero (Blue Lake), located right behind the grandstand.
10. Toftir, Faroe Islands
Photo: Imgur
Although the Faroe Islands doesn’t immediately scream thoughts of memorable fútbol moments, the Svangaskard Stadium has been home to several international clashes after serving as the home stadium for the national team for several years before they relocated to Tórsvøllur in the city of Tórshavn. Perched precariously on the edge of rugged rocks that frame the Atlantic Ocean, rumor has it that a man in a boat is often down below to retrieve any balls that have fallen off the edge of the world.
11. Lofoten Islands, Norway
Photo: JJerms2
This oasis of green nestled conspicuously amidst rocky terrain is certainly eye-catching, especially from an aerial view.
