About Cup Arenas

We are an independent editorial based in Sydney, writing about the stadiums that host football's greatest tournament — their design, their history and the matches they will hold in 2026 and beyond.

Why we exist

The stadium is the story.

Most football coverage stops at the final whistle. We start with the building. From the rake of the lower tier to the engineering of a retractable roof, we believe the arena shapes the game played inside it — and that understanding the ground deepens the understanding of the match.

Founded by a small team of Australian writers, designers and football supporters, Cup Arenas grew out of a simple frustration: there was nowhere that treated stadiums as seriously as the football. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings 48 nations to North America, that gap matters more than ever. We are here to fill it — clearly, honestly and without the hype.

The curving tiers of a modern football stadium

Sydney · Independent · Football-first

What we stand for

Our editorial principles

Independent

We are not affiliated with FIFA or any tournament body. Our views are our own, and we say so plainly when something falls short.

Global, written here

We cover grounds from Mexico City to Vancouver, but we write for an Australian audience — and for anyone who loves the game.

Detail-led

Capacities, sightlines, acoustics, surfaces. The small facts add up to the whole experience, and we sweat them.

The people

Inside the newsroom

Eleanor MaddoxEditor

Architecture writer who has visited grounds across Europe, from England to Croatia, and now leads the desk.

Jordan TaneFootball correspondent

Tracks the nations — France, Argentina, Australia and the rest — and how venues suit their style of play.

Priya RaoDesign & data

Turns capacities, roof types and pitch dimensions into the clear visuals you see across the site.

Have a venue we should cover?

We are always expanding the catalogue. Reach out and tell us which grounds matter to you.

Get in touch