Stadium density per population

Density here is the number of first-division (top-flight) stadiums divided by national population, per million. Restricting to the top division keeps countries comparable regardless of how many lower leagues are in our dataset.

League size is part of this story. A bigger top flight means more top-tier stadiums per capita, and Italy's Serie A is at the centre of a long-running debate about shrinking from 20 clubs to 18, or even 16, to ease fixture congestion, raise quality and give the national team more rest. England, Spain and Germany have all weighed similar moves. If Serie A cut to 18, Italy's top-flight density on this map would drop accordingly, a reminder that these numbers reflect competition design as much as football culture.