Updated January 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.*
In September of 2021, the Cumbre Vieja, a volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, erupted, sparking weeks of daily spectacles of plumes of black smoke and lava spewing into the air. The eruption destroyed everything in its path down to the Atlantic shore, with some 6,000 locals forced to evacuate.
✉️ You can receive our Bon Vivant selection of fresh reads on international culture, food & travel directly in your inbox. Subscribe here.
Mesmerized by the dramatic images, all of Spain — and pretty much all of Europe — soon became obsessed with all things volcano. Madrid-based daily La Rázon, for instance, pointed out to its readers that inside a volcano (albeit, a non-active one) in Mexico, lies a soccer pitch. Yes, you read that correctly.
This led us to explore, and find examples of places around the world where the love of soccer has prompted locals to carve a field into whatever natural surroundings were there first — defying the elements and often offering breathtaking views.
From Iceland, Japan, Brazil and beyond, take the tour below:
El "Teoca", Santa Cecilia Tepetlapa, Mexico
Teoca means "the place where the gods live," and it is found right in the middle of an extinct volcano crater. You don't have to be a pro to play with the gods on this pitch located in the southern borough of Mexico City of Xochimilco, as both amateurs and professionals train and play on this field, rising 2,435 meters above sea level.
Hásteinsvöllur, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
The floor is lava! Well, was, actually. This football pitch, located in the only human settlement in the Westman Islands archipelago, was built on a soil once covered in lava from the eruption of the Eldfell volcano in 1973. The volcano is actually still active and less than a mile away from the field. This doesn't stop the ÍBV club (Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja) from holding their matches here.
Henningsvær Stadion, Norway
Despite being a small fishing village of 500 inhabitants, located in the Lofoten archipelago, Henningsvær has one of the most famously beautiful football pitches in the world. Offering a spectacular backdrop of sea and fjords, it has no stands but rocks.
Shell Football Pitch, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Football can be a dirty game when it comes to energy consumption. This field instead is tapping into the players' very own kinetic energy thanks to PaveGen energy-capturing tiles placed under the artificial turf. They thus provide electricity to the spotlights around the pitch.
Jánošovka Stadium, Slovakia
Forget about your vuvuzela! To cheer the players of TJ Tatran Čierny Balog, the local amateur club, trains will provide the right amount of whistles and steam as they pass slowly between the field and the supporters.
Adidas Futsal Park, Tokyo, Japan
If soccer players want to be at the top of their game, they can try being on the top of a building. Located in the heart of Tokyo's busy district Shibuya, on the rooftop of the Tokyu Department Store, this outdoor futsal park is open day and night, for school children to professional players and offers a great panoramic view.
One might argue futsal court is not a football pitch. Yet, this one was built as an introduction to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosted by both Japan and South Korea.
Meshchersky Park Pitch, Russia
If you're looking for some peace and quiet with your soccer, this is your place. Located 20 minutes outside the bustle of Moscow, right in the middle of the Meshchersky forest park, playing or watching a game can be followed by time on hiking trails and ski tracks. The pitch is open 24/7.
The Float at Marina Bay, Singapore
Like the Eiffel Tower, this football pitch is a good example of a temporary construction that was so popular it became permanent. This impressive floating platform is fixed to the seabed by six pylons while the stands sit separately on the shore.
It was designed in 2007 for the Singapore National Team to play while the National Stadium was being built. However, it never held a single match from the team but it has been used for concerts, ceremonies, community events and even otters gathering during COVID.
Yucai High School football pitch, Beijing, China
When Yucai High School was planning to building the soccer pitch, officials asked permission from the city to relocate the 100-year-old tree. No luck. Because of the tree's age, a removal would have been too risky for what is considered a national treasure. The field, instead, was built around it and now it has become the symbol of the institution.
A similar configuration can be found in the Romanian village of Tonciu, reports the Irish Mirror. And in Estonia, in the parish of Orissaare, the 150-year-old oak was even named 2015 European Tree of the Year.
Á Mølini Stadium, Eiði, Faroe Islands
There is a chance that as many footballs ended up in this pitch's goals as they did in the sea. Located between the Norwegian Sea and Lake Niðara Vatn, it is subject to very strong and unpredictable winds that make it difficult to control the ball trajectory.
Nevertheless, it hosted matches of the Faroe Islands national team until recently, despite having very little space for fans to sit, or stand.
*Originally published Oct. 6, 2021, this article was updated January 20, 2025. with enriched media and audio file.