28 Forgotten Stadium Grounds Around The World Left Abandoned

Stadiums are built to be timeless—monuments to human passion, competition, and unity. They are designed to hold deafening cheers, unforgettable victories, and moments that shape history. But what happens when the final whistle blows, the gates are locked, and the crowds never return? Across the world, once-great sporting arenas now sit in eerie silence, left to decay as nature and time reclaim them. We’ve expanded our list to 28 forgotten stadiums, each with its own story of rise and fall. These stadiums, now crumbling and overgrown, were once the beating hearts of their cities. They hosted legendary football matches, historic Olympic events, and championship battles that defined generations. Today, their stands are empty, their scoreboards frozen in time, and their fields littered with memories of a past they’ll never relive.

1. Astrodome – Houston, Texas, USA

Opened in 1965, the Houston Astrodome was a groundbreaking venue, widely considered the first modern domed stadium in the world. Nicknamed the "Eighth Wonder of the World," it served as the home of the Houston Astros (MLB) and the Houston Oilers (NFL) for decades. The stadium was also used for various other sporting events, concerts, and even served as an emergency shelter during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. However, as newer stadiums were built and the costs of maintaining the Astrodome soared, it was officially closed to the public in 2009. Though it remains structurally intact, the once-revolutionary stadium has fallen into disrepair. Efforts to repurpose or renovate the Astrodome have been discussed over the years, but bureaucratic delays and financial challenges have left the facility in limbo. Today, it is used primarily as a storage facility for the surrounding NRG Park, with its exterior showing signs of decay.