In FIFA 21 you can virtually step onto the pitch in numerous stadiums from the real football world, of which EA Sports holds the licenses. Fans are eagerly awaiting which new stadiums EA has secured this year. The complete stadium list for FIFA 21 is not yet known, but fans have already discovered a new arena.
Which stadiums will FIFA 21 have? FIFA 20 could boast 90 licensed stadiums upon release, which were spread across the globe and came from various leagues. FIFA 21 will likely be released with a similar number and diversity of “real” stadiums, although the complete stadium list is probably not going to be revealed until mid or late September 2020. In recent years, the official list has typically been released in mid-September (on September 17 for FIFA 20). However, since the release for FIFA 21 is being pushed back by 2 weeks, we also expect a later stadium reveal.
Until then, fans still have time to create wish lists and vote for their favorite stadiums on relevant FIFA sites. Additionally, there will be continual unveilings throughout the summer regarding which licenses EA Sports managed to secure and which went to Konami for the competing game “Pro Evolution Soccer”. FIFA recently introduced 2 new German venues.
Providence Park is in FIFA 21
This new stadium is already known: In the first trailer for FIFA 21, some gameplay scenes are seen, with the camera repeatedly capturing the fans in the stands along with the stadium atmosphere. Here, fans discovered brief scenes from a stadium that has never been featured in any FIFA installment before: Providence Park. This stadium can be seen starting at minute 1:24, though due to the green smoke, not much is visible:
This is Providence Park: This stadium, which has a capacity of around 25,000 spectators, is the home of the Portland Timbers. The Portland Timbers have been playing in the MLS, Major League Soccer, since the 2011 season, which is the top division of North American football. The Portland Timbers wear a green home jersey, which fits the green smoke and fan jerseys in the trailer.
The discovery of Providence Park in FIFA 21 is confirmed by the official Twitter account of the Portland Timbers. They write: “What’s this?” and tag the video at the relevant point:
In the comments, the excitement of the Portland Timbers fans is tremendous. One writes: “Damn, now I have to get the PS5 and FIFA 21 after all.”
Which stadiums from North America are still in the game? FIFA 20 was released with 5 North American stadiums. Unless there are any changes to the licenses, they should also be included in FIFA 21:
- BC Place Stadium (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
- Centurylink Field (Seattle Sounders FC, USA)
- Mercedes-Benz Arena (Atlanta United, USA)
- Dignity Health Sports Park (LA Galaxy, USA)
- Red Bull Arena (New York Red Bulls)
Further new North American stadiums are not yet known. FIFA fans on Reddit, however, hope that the scene in the trailer is a teaser that all new MLS stadiums will be in FIFA 21.
Stadium Wish List for FIFA 21 – What about the Allianz Arena?
These are the stadiums fans around the world wish for: Big English-speaking sites like fifplay are already holding votes where fans can vote for new stadiums they wish to see in FIFA 21.
Over 75,000 fans have already participated in the vote on fifplay – with this preliminary result:
- Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris (Genoa, Italy) – 24% of all votes
- Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium (Istanbul, Turkey) – 10%
- Stadio San Nicola (Bari, Italy) – 10%
- Stadio Via del Mare (Lecce, Italy) – 7%
- Stade Bollaert-Delelis (Lens, France) – 6%
- Stadio San Filippo (Sicily, Italy) – 5%
It is noticeable that especially Italian stadiums occupy the top spots. In a survey by fifauteam with significantly fewer participants, however, world-famous stadiums like Camp Nou or Celtic Park rank higher. However, the rights to Camp Nou in Barcelona have been with Konami for years.
Bear in mind that these are international voting polls. If only Bundesliga fans were asked, stadiums like the Allianz Arena would surely rank higher. So far, only 1% of votes on fifplay have gone to the Munich Allianz Arena.
Is there already information about the Allianz Arena in FIFA 21? The venue of FC Bayern was missing in FIFA 20. Because Konami managed to secure the exclusive rights to it. However, it is not known how long this partnership lasts. It might be a multi-year contract, or perhaps EA Sports was able to compete for the Allianz Arena this year already.
Before FIFA 17, FC Bayern entered a partnership with EA Sports, which led to FIFA fans having a “realistic” representation of the Allianz Arena in FIFA installments for three years. How long they will have to wait without it remains to be seen.
More Atmosphere in the Stadiums of FIFA 21
This is what EA Sports officially says so far about stadiums in FIFA 21: EA has not yet released a stadium list. However, they promise an upgraded stadium atmosphere on the next-gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X. Thus,
- the “Deferred lighting & rendering” will provide more realism and “even more authentic football in all areas of the stadium,”
- a “next-generation atmosphere” and better stadium experience through “fan reactions and explosive emotionality” will be possible
- and you will be visually and acoustically immersed in professional sports.
What new stadiums are you wishing for in FIFA 21?
