Gallery: Signature Sports Venues as Seen From Space
(c) GeoEye LLC |01the-colosseum-rome
Mammoth sports stadiums and venues are always a sight to behold when you're sitting in them, but what if you're looking at them from space? That's a whole new perspective that we rarely see, but our friends at NASA and GeoEye have eyes in the sky that allow for us to gain a new appreciation for these architectural and natural landscapes that are more just hulking steel structures or sand traps by the sea. Indeed, looking at these monuments of sport from above makes you think differently when you're visiting down below. Here are 12 notable venues that stretch across all periods of history to show us that times may change but our societal love of sports is endless. __Above:__ The Colosseum, Rome ------------------- The emperor [Vespasian](http://www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm) not only brought stability and order to a dysfunctional Roman Empire during his 10-year reign, but he also commissioned what would become the lasting inspiration for so many sports stadiums built milleniums afterwards. The [Colosseum](http://www.rome.info/colosseum/) took eight years to build and was finished by his son Titus, but this behemoth was unlike any structure of its kind. (Still, it was nowhere as big as the [Circus Maximus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Maximus), which held more than 150,000 spectators and more closely resembled modern-day horse racing venues than circular sports stadiums.) Now a popular Roman tourist attraction, the Colosseum held 55,000 fans who came to see gladiators, public executions and theatrical performances. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=261&gid=10))*
02augusta-national-golf-course-augusta-georgia
Augusta National Golf Course, Augusta, Georgia ---------------------------------------------- So scenic and yet so controversial, [Augusta National](http://www.augusta.com/) has long been home to the prestigious Masters golf tournament as well as a stubborn [refusal to admit women as full members](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125856102). And yet, the 7,435-yard, par-72 course remains one of the jewels of the PGA Tour season. Odd then that, despite its enduring prestige, what is the arguably the most famous golf course in the world only just got ported to videogamedom with [the release of *Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12*](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2011/03/qa-tiger-woods/) this past spring. Now if you want to try your hand steering your iron shots through Augusta's tight turns, all you have to do is fire up your gaming console of choice. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=39&gid=12 ))*
03invesco-field-at-mile-high-denver
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver ---------------------------------- In the fall of 2001, Denver's Invesco Field officially joined the mile-high club, replacing Mile High Stadium, whose exterior had to be slightly carved away to even make room for this $365 behemoth. (Although, financial firm Invesco's $120 million naming rights deal helped offset some of that cost.) Invesco Field is also home to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, and has hosted U2, the AFC Championship Game and the 2008 Democratic National Convention. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=41&gid=12))*
DigitalGlobe04the-birds-nest-beijing
The Bird's Nest, Beijing ------------------------ Beijing's National Stadium, more commonly regarded as "the Bird's Nest" for obvious aesthetic reasons, was the public face of the 2008 Summer Olympics, playing host to the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the track and field events and the men's and women's gold medal soccer matches. With a reported cost of more than $400 million, the stadium -- like many venues in their post-Olympic lives -- has hosted nothing resembling the pomp of those 16 days in the summer of '08. Low-level soccer matches, and even lower attendance, plague this stadium, although the [2015 World Championships in Athletics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_World_Championships_in_Athletics) is slated to be held there in four years' time. *Image: Digital Globe ([high-res version](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8988))*
05busch-stadium-st-louis-missouri
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri ---------------------------------- The center of St. Louis sports since it opened in 1966, Busch Stadium -- which closed in 2005-- sat just under 50,000 fans, saw six World Series, as well as the 1966 All-Star Game, and was known for its signature 96 white arches which encircled the upper rim of the stadium. The above photo, taken in September 2004, also shows the earliest stages of construction on the new Busch Stadium, which opened in April 2006. Even better, the 46,000-seat replacement offers a [much nicer view into the ballpark](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Busch_Stadium_new_construction.jpg) when you're looking out the top floor of the Gateway Arch. *Image: Digital Globe ([high-res version](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=4945))*
06dodger-stadium-los-angeles
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles --------------------------- Walter O'Malley's dream of bringing baseball to the west finally materialized in 1958, when he moved the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles, but it would be another four years before the team could play in Dodger Stadium, which has hosted [more than 130 million fans](http://mlb.mlb.com/la/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=history) over 50 seasons of baseball. (The team played home games at the LA Memorial Coliseum while Dodger Stadium was under construction.) Although, with a team that's currently [more than 14 games out of first place](http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/) and an ownership situation that is in [complete financial shambles](http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/dodgers/2011-07-20-dodgers-bankrupcty_n.htm), Dodgers fans headed to Chavez Ravine can only hope for better days ahead. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=42&gid=12))*
07fedex-field-landover-maryland
FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland ------------------------------- Sure, the Washington Redskins have seen better days. They've only won 10 games in a season [once in the past decade](http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/), and billionaire [Dan Snyder](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Snyder) is perhaps the most hated owner in all of football. (He still has a way to go before reaching [Donald Sterling levels](http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/15/players-had-to-cover-coach%E2%80%99s-cancer-surgery-because-clippers-wouldn%E2%80%99t/).) However, the Redskins are still the [fourth most-valuable sports franchise in the world](http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45fdhk/no-4-washington-redskins), according to *Forbes*, owed in large part to FedEx Field, which turns 14 years old this fall. Built for $250 million, the stadium also hosts Major League Soccer, concerts and international soccer friendlies. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=43&gid=12))*
08fenway-park-boston
Fenway Park, Boston ------------------- Surrounded by Lansdowne Street, Kenmore Square and the campus of Boston University, the pride of Boston's Back Bay neighborhood has always been one of Major League Baseball quirkiest stadiums since opening in 1912. The 37-foot-high wall in left field, known lovingly as the Green Monster, stands as a perpetual tease to right-handed pull hitters and poor, unfortunate left fielders. Although, it's still not half as weird as the long-gone [Huntington Avenue Grounds](http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/huntin.htm), where the Red Sox played from 1901 to 1911. With a capacity of 11,500, that field (located near, what is today, Northeastern University), featured a center field wall that measured 635 feet from home plate. The right field wall? A mere 320 feet away. *Image: Digital Globe ([high-res version](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=4945))*
(c) Space Imaging LLC |09soccer-city-stadium-johannesburg-south-africa
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa ----------------------------------------------- Last summer's World Cup in South Africa was historic not just for [Spain's finals victory over the Netherlands](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/sports/soccer/12soccer.html), marking the first time a team had [lost its opening match](http://www.aolnews.com/2010/06/16/switzerland-upsets-tournament-favorite-spain/) and gone on to win the whole shebang. It was also the first time either the World Cup or the Olympics, the largest sporting events on the planet, was held in Africa. Although, the tournament itself was marred by [controversial refereeing](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7857725/England-v-Germany-Fabio-Capello-blames-referee-and-linesman-for-World-Cup-exit.html), which may eventually lead to the implementation of [goal-line technology](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2011/02/fifa-goal-detection-tech/), the spectacle of nearly 95,000 fans cheering on soccer's elite players was the ultimate takeaway from this battle between *futbol*'s finest. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=317&gid=12))*
10arrowhead-stadium-kauffman-stadium-kansas-city-missouri
Arrowhead Stadium & Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri ----------------------------------------------------------- Kauffman Stadium (right), home to the Kansas City Royals, has long been regarded as one of the hidden gems of Major League Baseball. Not flashy or retro cool, Kauffman has played host to Royals baseball for 39 seasons and despite being the sixth-oldest structure in the league, raves for the stadium continuously flow in from fans. Compare that to its neighbor to the immediate west, Arrowhead Stadium, which is famous for its extreme loudness -- as high as [116 decibels](http://www.city-data.com/articles/Arrowhead-Stadium-Kansas-City-MO.html) -- and ever-loyal fan base; the team [sold out 155 consecutive home games](http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/30/football-valuations-10_Kansas-City-Chiefs_309072.html) from 1991 to 2009). *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=46&gid=12))*
11pebble-beach-golf-links-monterey-california
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey, California --------------------------------------------- If Augusta National is the jewel of the East Coast golf scene, then [Pebble Beach](http://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links) in northern California is tops west of the Rockies. Located on picturesque Monterey Bay, Pebble Beach has hosted the US Open five times since 1972 and [most recently in 2010](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/2010/06/inside-pebble-beachs-nerve-center-for-golf-geeks/). Just watch out for the [infamous par-3 17th hole](http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1997924,00.html). It's that little bit of land that juts into the water, with a sand trap that resembles an octopus. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=48&gid=12))*
12university-of-phoenix-stadium-glendale-arizona
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona ------------------------------------------------ Let's be clear: Domed stadiums should *always* be the exception, not the rule, concerning sports venues. However, when you're an NFL team in an areas that boasts an [average temperature of 99 degrees](http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USAZ0166) on opening day, a domed building is an absolute necessity. So it is with the unfortunately named [University of Phoenix Stadium](http://www.universityofphoenixstadium.com/index.php?page=stadium_facts§ion=statistics), which typically hosts the Arizona Cardinals. Just under five years old, this $455 million structure has already Wrestlemania, the BCS National Championship Game and [Super Bowl XLII](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/sports/football/04game.html), which saw the New York Giants knock off the undefeated New England Patriots in one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. *Image: GeoEye ([high-res version](http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/detail.aspx?iid=180&gid=12))*
