Best/strangest old style grounds you’ve been to?

I’ve been lucky enough to get to a few games in Argentina. Best atmosphere by a mile was the Copa Sudamerica final in La Bombonera. 

This year I went to see Racing play and enjoyed it too. The Estadio Presidente Peron is in a high density run down outer part of Buenos Aires. It’s a bit rough and ready but they seem to attract a good community support. Before the game, there’s a bit of a party vibe with barbecues and people boozing on the grass verges around the place. Whatever about the fellas pissing, I saw a few women whip the skirts up and have a slash in the open. There weren’t many airs or graces on display. Anyway we had a few beers and joined in the fun. 

The stadium is a coliseum shaped ground with a moat separating the pitch from the stands. There’s a high enough wall beside the moat for security purposes but there is a flat surface for maybe 3 or 4 metres before the stand starts to rise. So kids use this area to play their own little matches whilst their aul lads can keep an eye on them and the game at the same time. The quality of the match was poor enough but the crowd were lively and it was good craic.

Afterwards we struggled to get a cab and I didn’t know which bus to get so we ordered an Uber. The driver turned out to be one of Racing ultras who was leaving the match himself. My Spanish is just ok but I have enough to make conversation. He entertained us with some great stories and showed me pics of him and Lisandro Lopez out boozing together. 

The experience left me with a new found soft spot for Racing. 

Got to go there in January for the QPR game and was in the away end. Great day out! 

Got the Mestailla in the week before. So different to the corporate entities that stadiums have become now. Had to go for a piss after about 30 minutes and the style of the seats and the fact you had to pass about 120 people to get to the exit stairs made it a dangerous experience!!

Spotland is a random one with the bar being in a hotel joined to the ground. Had a pint there before and after and of course the drunkest man falling about the place that day was Irish!

The Maksimir in Zagreb was a weird experience. Only about 2000 there for NK Zagreb v Hadjuk Split with away fans outnumbering home fans. NK pulled off a shock 3 nil win.

I mentioned on another ground Boundary Park as a really nice old ground I've been too. 

Enjoyed Turf Moor when I was there. For the EPL it's a nice tidy, compact ground and doesn't feel like some of the other over commercialised stadiums. Cheap beer and sound locals in the city helps!

Selhurst Park is a decent spot although I've never experienced seats being closer together...Still have pain from celebrating a Ricky Lambert goal.

The Den was a mad experience getting in and out of the away end. You barely pass a home fan but there still managed to be trouble of my times there

Upton Park was class. Hostile atmoshere with everyone standing. Some chap took off his prostetic leg to celebrate a goal and waved it around in the air. The concourse was dangerously full at HT though

Love the Loftus Road away end. Really close to the pitch and feel that you're part of the action!

Loved the old Communist bowl style of the Puskas Arena when we played in Budapest. Gone now afaik

Closer to home Glentoran was a bit like that which I enjoyed. Have a soft spot for Drogheda's ground, particularly the away shed. Tolka has its charm too

The de Kuip, San Siro and Kenilworth Road are my bucket list grounds now. Had some craic working in a bar in Manchester for the two years Feynoord fans were over. Really sound and passionate bunch and the stadium looks amazing

Also really liked the old Rheinstadio in Dusseldorf even though it had an athletics track around it. 

Same - seen them play AC Milan a few years ago. Some police presence but majority of fans behind the goal. 

For old school I like Fulham or Brentfords  Griffin park. Proper old football stadiums with peoples houses right beside them.

Went to Boca juniors match about 17/18 years ago. Best atmosphere I’ve ever seen. Non stop chanting and for the fans it’s a religion.

We went by ourselves despite everybody telling us to book a ‘tour guide experience’. Although we left our phones, wallets and camera’s at home. 

What factors contribute towards a good atmosphere:

- big match (something important at stake)

- full house 

- rivalry or acrimony between the teams and supporters

- terraces

- older prestigious stadium (preferably in bad nick)

- lack of corporate and hospitality areas 

- steep stands 

- crowd close to the pitch 

- a good size away following 

- night or evening time game 

What am I missing