7 Teams With the Smallest Stadiums Playing in Europe's Top 4 Leagues
Football's top divisions in Europe contain some enormous stadiums that provide for amazing atmospheres bringing the game to life. However, this list looks at seven teams who currently play in Europe's top four leagues but have really small stadiums.
It's amazing how top flight clubs with minor capacity stadiums can still have intimidating fans!
7. Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli FC)
Country = Italy
League = Serie A
Stadium capacity = 16,800
The Azzurri club has now spent consecutive seasons in Italy's top flight and finished in an impressive 10th place in the 2015/16 season. The Tuscan club's stadium is known for its well-maintained pitch and its countryside view.
6. Stadio Ezio Scida (FC Crotone)
Country = Italy
League = Serie A
Stadium capacity = 16,547
A small Calabrian team with two bankruptcies has seen them climb from Italy's eighth division of football to the Serie A for the first time in the 2016/17 season.
At the start of this current season, the Squali had to play home games 600 kilometres away in Pescara due to the stadium's update changes to meet the Serie A requirements.
5. Stadio Sant'Elia (Cagliari Calcio)
Country = Italy
League = Serie A
Stadium capacity = 16,000
The Islanders of Sardinia have a small stadium that just complies with the league standards.
However, this stadium has witnessed some great footballing moments like the Rossoblu winning their only Scudetto back in 1970 and hosting three matches throughout the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
4. Audi Sportpark (FC Ingolstadt 04)
Country = Germany
League = Bundesliga
Stadium capacity = 15,800
The German club won its first promotion to the Bundesliga in 2015 and managed to finish in an impressive 10th place in the 2015/16 season.
The minnow club had its stadium renovated in 2009 and reopened in 2010 with a new name called Audi Sportpark. It is one of the modern-looking stadiums in Germany.
3. Dean Court/Vitality Stadium (AFC Bournemouth)
Country = England
League = English Premier League
Stadium capacity = 11,464
The Cherries were playing in England's fourth division in 2009 and from then on they went and gained promotion to the English Premier League for the first time in the 2014/15 season.
The small English club from the south coast has the smallest stadium in the Premier League, however, it always has an intimidating atmosphere on match days. The Cherries decent home performances have been vital to some of their success in the top flight.
2. Estadio Municipal de Butarque (CD Leganes)
Country = Spain
League = La Liga
Stadium capacity = 10,954
This small Spanish club located in the outskirts of Madrid has had a fairytale run over the last three years. Their promotion to the La Liga last season was the club's first time and will forever remain with the fans.
They currently play in the second smallest stadium throughout the whole entire La Liga and have also used this stadium to host Spanish rock concerts.
1. Ipurua Municipal Stadium (SD Eibar)
Country = Spain
League = La Liga
Stadium capacity = 7,083
Finally, the smallest stadium in Europe's top four leagues is Spain's La Liga club SD Eibar. The Los Armeros are a fan-owned club with more than 10,000 shareholders and are currently in no debt.
Eibar have ignored critics and have punched above their weight; sitting in 8th place so far during the 2016/17 campaign. It might be a surprise to football fans that over a 7,000 seated stadium is permitted in one of the top football leagues.
All these close-packed stadiums are under 20,000 seaters. For some of the small clubs, it is an opportunity to bring in huge popular clubs with superstars to less populated towns. Although some these of tight stadiums can be daunting to many oppositions.
