Photo by Wikimedia Commons, CC by 2.0
The silence of empty stadiums during the pandemic showed us the true power of a live crowd. Thankfully, those days are far behind us and full stadiums are back. Here’s a look at the eight biggest crowds to ever watch a sports event live in a stadium.
8) 134,000: East Bengal vs Ohun Bengal, Salt Lake Stadium – July 13, 1997
We start our list in India and focus on the 1997 Indian Federation Cup semi-final clash between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
East Bengal and Mohun Bagan squared off at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with the former earning a 4-1 victory.
There were 134,000 fans in attendance to watch the Kolkata rivals battle it out, and that remains a record for a sporting event in a stadium in India.
Supporters of the Red and Gold Brigade certainly weren’t left wanting as Bhaichung Bhutia, who would later go on to feature for Mohun Bagan, netted a hat-trick.
7) 135,000: Benefica vs Porto, Estadio da Luz – January 4, 1987
Another bitter rivalry brought the crowds out in vast numbers when Benfica and Porto stepped onto the field at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
There was little to pick between the two Portuguese giants at the turn of the year, tied in first place, but Benfica edged clear after sealing a 3-1 triumph on home soil in front of 135,000.
Rui Aguas, who ended the campaign as Benfica’s top scorer, bagged a hat-trick to set the club off on a 16-game unbeaten run, and they finished three points clear of Porto to claim the title.
6) 149,415: Scotland vs England, Hampden Park – April 17, 1937
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, just 22,500 fans were in Wembley to watch England and Scotland play out a dull goalless draw at Euro 2020.
It was reminiscent of the first meeting between the two nations, which also ended 0-0 at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, in 1872.
But in April of 1937, Scotland beat the Auld Enemy, running out 3-1 winners at Hampden Park courtesy of a brace from Bob McPhail and a strike from Frank O’Donnell in the British Home Championship.
It garnered major interest, and there were officially 149,415 people in the stadium, although it’s claimed that number could be much higher with many getting into the ground without tickets.
5) 155,523: Flamengo vs Santos, Maracana Stadium – May 29, 1983
The record for the highest attendance at a domestic football league match belongs to Flamengo’s 1983 Serie A decider against Santos at the Maracana.
After surviving three gruelling group stages, the quarter-finals, and semi-finals, Santos and Flamengo met in a dramatic two-legged final. Santos took the upper hand with a 2-1 home win, but Flamengo stormed to a 3-0 triumph in the decisive second leg, cheered on by 155,523 at a packed Maracana.
Zico struck just 50 seconds into the match to give Flamengo the lead, Leandro doubled the advantage in the 39th minute, and Adilio sealed the win with a goal in the 44th minute of the second half.
4) 160,000: Brazil vs England, Maracana Stadium – May 13, 1959
The old Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro has long been a record-setting venue in both football and wider sporting history—including the largest-ever crowd for a friendly: Brazil vs England in 1959.
An overcast sky offered England a welcome reprieve from the usual Brazilian heat as they faced the reigning World Champions at the iconic Maracana—kicking off the first of four tour matches across the Americas.
But the Three Lions could not take advantage of the conditions as Julinho and Henrique found the back of the net in the first half for the home side. England could not engineer a way back into the game and had to leave the field suffering a 2-0 defeat.
3) 170,000: Brazil vs Paraguay, Maracana Stadium – March 21, 1954
The trauma of the 1950 Maracanaço, when Brazil fell to Uruguay in a World Cup decider, lingered—but it did little to dampen the nation’s enduring love for football.
A staggering 170,000 fans filled the Maracanã in April 1954 to witness Brazil’s 4–1 victory over Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier. Yet their ultimate triumph on the world stage was still four years away.
Julinho gave Brazil an early lead once again, but Eulogio Martínez levelled for Paraguay in the second half. Baltazar restored Brazil’s advantage just past the hour, Julinho added a second, and Maurinho sealed the 4–1 win with a late fourth for the Selecao.
2) 190,000: May Day Stadium – April 29, 1995
Football has unsurprisingly dominated this list so far, but it’s a wrestling event that comes in a number two.
North Korea’s Rungrado 1st of May Stadium hosted a two-day event, and 190,000 fans turned out to watch the action on day two.
Collision in Korea was broadcast around the globe as people tuned in to watch the Ric ‘Nature Boy’ Flair go toe-to-toe with Antonio Inoki in the headline act.
Former WWE star Flair described the experience as “extremely intimidating” and admitted he didn’t realise they had a “facility to hold that many people”.
1) 199,854: Maracana Stadium – June 16, 1950
South America has a history of being football mad, so it’s no surprise to see the largest ever attendance come from Brazil.
The famous Maracana Stadium was bursting at the seams when a world-record 199,854 people squeezed in to watch the World Cup final tie between hosts Brazil and Uruguay.
It was the fourth edition of the competition and the first since 1934 due to events in 1942 and 1946 being cancelled following the outbreak of World War II.
Fans were clearly eager to get their football fix, but it ended in disappointment for the host nation as Uruguay won 2-1.
