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The New York Yankees wrote another chapter in their storied history last week when they moved into their new, $1.5-billion stadium.
While the new Yankee Stadium is by all accounts a marvel of modern engineering, it's hard not to lament the loss of the team's old home. Situated just across the street, the House That Ruth Built will soon be demolished -- yet another sporting shrine sacrificed to the wrecking ball.
But even though their numbers are dwindling, plenty of great stadiums still remain standing -- places where architecture, history and atmosphere combine to give fans an unforgettable experience.
10. Ibrox Stadium
For more than a century, Ibrox has been the home of Glasgow's Rangers F.C., who have won more league titles than any club in the world. Located on the south bank of the River Clyde, the stadium's charms are best summed up in a single word -- atmosphere. Within its historic brick facade, Ibrox's steeply sloping stands hold 51,082 of the most passionate, leather-lunged fans in all of sports, especially when arch-rival Celtic pays a visit.
9. Cameron Indoor Stadium
As with soccer and college football, one's choice of the perfect college basketball venue depends a lot on one's allegiances. While Tarheel fans might disagree, the 69-year-old home court of the Duke Blue Devils has been referred to as "the toughest road game in the nation," thanks mostly to its raucous student section, known as the Cameron Crazies.
8. The Colosseum
Commissioned by Roman Emperor Vespasian in the first century AD, the Colosseum hosted the empire's gladiatorial games for almost four centuries. It was also home to one of the longest winning streaks in history, with an approximate final score of Lions 50,000 - Christians 0.
7. Churchill Downs
For horse racing enthusiasts, the 134-year-old site of the Kentucky Derby is the sport's spiritual home. On the first Saturday in May, the grandstand at Churchill Downs, with its distinctive twin spires, is awash in mint juleps and garish hats, as upwards of 150,000 spectators gather for what has been dubbed "the most exciting two minutes in sports."
6. Notre Dame Stadium
Even Notre Dame haters -- I'll raise my hand here -- have to admit the home of the Fighting Irish holds a special place in the lore of U.S. college football. With a capacity of just under 81,000, it's nowhere near as big as Michigan Stadium or the Rose Bowl, but thanks to the Golden Dome, Touchdown Jesus and the lingering ghost of Knute Rockne, visiting Notre Dame is something akin to a religious experience for scores of football fans.
5. Madison Square Garden
The "world's most famous arena" has had four incarnations, the first two of which occupied the same site on Manhattan's Madison Square during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The current Garden opened in 1968 and has been home to the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, countless big prize fights and most importantly, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
4. Lambeau Field
The legend of Lambeau was born in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the infamous "Ice Bowl" game to win the NFL Championship. Since then, the "frozen tundra" has become known for its frigid playoff games, great Packer teams and the celebratory Lambeau leap, in which players jump into the stands after scoring a touchdown.
3. Wrigley Field
Built in 1914 for the Chicago Whales of the old Federal League, Wrigley Field -- then known as Weeghman Park -- became the home of the Chicago Cubs two years later. Since then, the North Side shrine has become famous for its ivy-covered outfield walls, the lovable losers who play there and the fans who watch the games for free from the roofs of neighbouring buildings.
2. Centre Court
The world's most famous tennis stadium, Wimbledon's Centre Court sees action for just two weeks every year but its grassy surface still ends up looking like scorched earth at the end of the fortnight. Along with its Royal Box, strawberries and cream and all-white dress code, the 87-year-old venue is famous for its interminable rain delays ... until this year, when a new retractable roof will finally be in place.
1. Fenway Park
Two years older and not as charming as Wrigley Field, Boston's Fenway Park is nevertheless the most iconic stadium in baseball. With its cosy confines, quirky dimensions and towering Green Monster in left field, Fenway has hosted many of the greatest moments and players in baseball history, from Babe Ruth to Ted Williams to Carlton Fisk to Bucky Dent. And unlike Wrigley, some good teams have actually played there.
Disagree with our picks? E-mail yours to topten@sunmedia.ca.