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When the new Wembley opened last year it was feted — mostly by those behind it — as the most spectacular stadium in the world. If nothing else, it was certainly the most expensive, with costs topping $1.5 billion. London’s latest architectural showpiece may only hold 90,000 spectators (try telling that to regulars at Rio’s Maracana, which used to pack 220,000 back in the day), but its signature arched roof is the largest on the planet, and can be seen from 40 miles around. Woohoo! That’s cause enough to turn up the volume when Foo Fighters (June 6 and 7) and Madonna (September 11) turn up. But, hey — you might want to keep it down May 28 if you’re in the home supporters’ seats and you’re gunning for Team USA: that’s when they take on England’s national soccer team.
Wembley will also be joined by a new Olympic Stadium (which breaks ground tomorrow), plus the one-year-old O2 arena as star venues for the 2012 Olympics. The former $1.4 billion snafu that was the Millennium Dome has now been revamped and rechristened — to the tune of another $1.2 billion — and is now gearing up for a second bumper summer: the star-packed schedule includes Mary J Blige (June 3), Santana (June 22), Duran Duran (July 3), Alicia Keys (July 8), and multi-date performances from Kylie in July and August.
read more: 10. Culture | architecture | performance
