England, a nation steeped in football history and passion, is home to some of the largest and most iconic football stadiums in the world.
These grand arenas serve as the epicenters of exciting matches, echoing with the cheers of fervent fans. From historic venues with a rich legacy to state-of-the-art modern arenas, each stadium tells a unique story, contributing to the tapestry of English football.
Football is deeply ingrained in the hearts of millions of fans in England, and the splendor of football stadiums adds an extra layer of excitement and passion to the game.
Attending a live football game on matchday at the stadium is considered one of the most unforgettable experiences for fans worldwide.
In this article, we delve into the top 10 biggest football stadiums in England, celebrating these magnificent venues that have witnessed countless memorable moments in the beautiful game.
- Which Is The Biggest Football Stadiums In England?
- 1. Wembley Stadium (90,000)
- 2. Old Trafford (74,310)
- 3. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,850)
- 4. London Stadium (62,500)
- 5. Anfield (61,015)
- 6. Emirates Stadium (60,704)
- 7. Etihad Stadium (53,400)
- 8. St. James’ Park (52,404)
- 9. Stadium of Light (48,339)
- 10. Villa Park (42,573)
Which Is The Biggest Football Stadiums In England?
1. Wembley Stadium (90,000)
- Construction cost: £789 million, (£1.27 billion today)
- Opened: March 9, 2007; 16 years ago
- Location: South Way Wembley HA9 0WS
- Field size: 115 yds × 74 yds (105 m × 68 m)
- Surface: Desso GrassMaster
Wembley Stadium is a football stadium in Wembley, London. It’s been around since 1923 and is known for hosting important football matches, like England’s home games and the FA Cup Final.
The Football Association (the FA) owns it through a group called Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL). With 90,000 seats, it’s the biggest stadium in the UK and the second-largest in Europe.
Architects Populous and Foster and Partners designed Wembley Stadium, and it’s recognized by the iconic 134-meter-high Wembley Arch.
This arch not only looks cool but also holds up most of the roof. It cost £798 million to build, which is about £1.27 billion in today’s money.
The stadium has retractable roofs on the east and west ends, allowing sunlight to reach the pitch.
Wembley Stadium hosts not only England games and the FA Cup Final but also other big football events like the FA Community Shield, League Cup final, FA Cup semi-finals, and more.
It’s a top-tier UEFA stadium and has hosted major events like the UEFA Champions League Finals and UEFA Euro 2020. It’s also home to the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final.
Apart from football, Wembley Stadium has been a venue for the gold-medal matches in the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament, rugby league’s Challenge Cup final, and concerts.
Tottenham Hotspur used it as a temporary home while building their new stadium, and it also hosted the NFL London Games until 2019. It’s a versatile and iconic spot in the world of sports and entertainment.
2. Old Trafford (74,310)
- Construction cost: £90,000 (1909)
- Opened: 19 February 1910; 113 years ago
- Location: Sir Matt Busby Way Old Trafford
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: Desso GrassMaster
Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, is the largest football stadium for a club in the United Kingdom and the second-largest overall after Wembley Stadium.
It ranks twelfth in size among football stadiums in Europe. Situated approximately 0.5 miles (800 m) from the Old Trafford Cricket Ground and a nearby tram stop, it holds a prominent location.
Given the nickname “The Theatre of Dreams” by Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home since 1910.
However, during the period from 1941 to 1949, the club shared Maine Road with local rivals Manchester City due to bomb damage during the Second World War.
Over the years, the football stadium has seen expansions in the 1990s and 2000s, with additional tiers added to the North, West, and East Stands, nearly restoring the stadium to its original capacity of 80,000.
Plans for future expansion may include adding a second tier to the South Stand, potentially increasing the capacity to around 88,000.
The stadium’s highest attendance was in 1939, with 76,962 spectators watching the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town.
Old Trafford has a rich history of hosting various football events, including an FA Cup Final, two final replays, and serving as a neutral venue for the competition’s semi-finals.
It has also been a venue for England fixtures, matches during the 1966 World Cup, Euro 96, and the 2012 Summer Olympics, which included women’s international football for the first time.
Also, it hosted the 2003 Champions League Final. Beyond football, Old Trafford is known for hosting rugby league’s annual Super League Grand Final, except in 2020, and the finals of Rugby League World Cups in 2000, 2013, and 2022.
3. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,850)
- Construction cost: £1 billion (entire project)
- Opened: 3 April 2019
- Location: Tottenham, London, N17
- Field size: 105 m × 68 m (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: Desso GrassMaster
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is where the Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur plays in north London.
It’s their new home, replacing the old White Hart Lane. It’s the third-largest football stadium in England and the biggest among London clubs. The stadium is not just for football – it’s also the place where the NFL plays in the UK.
What makes it special is the world’s first retractable football pitch, revealing a synthetic turf field underneath for things like NFL games, concerts, and other events.
The stadium’s construction was part of a big plan to renew and develop the Tottenham area.
Even though they started talking about it in 2007 and officially announced it in 2008, the building didn’t start until 2015 because of arguments and delays. The stadium opened on April 3, 2019, with a special ceremony before the first Premier League game there.
Originally, they planned to sell the naming rights to a sponsor, so the name “Tottenham Hotspur Stadium” was supposed to be temporary.
But even though they haven’t renamed it yet, some fans and the media sometimes call it “New White Hart Lane” as a nod to the old stadium.
4. London Stadium (62,500)
- Construction cost: £486 million (£717 million in 2024 pounds), £274 million (2013–16 renovations)
- Opened: 5 May 2012; 11 years ago
- Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)[5]
- Surface: Grass (Desso GrassMaster)
The London Stadium, previously known as the Olympic Stadium and situated in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the Stratford district of London, is a multipurpose outdoor venue.
Located 6 miles (10 km) east of central London in the Lower Lea Valley, it was initially built for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
The stadium played a big role as the venue for athletics events and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies during the Games.
After the end of the 2012 events, the stadium underwent renovations to transform it into a multi-purpose facility.
It is currently the home ground for the Premier League club West Ham United.
The process of preparing the land for the stadium began in mid-2007, and official construction commenced on May 22, 2008.
The stadium’s first public event took place in March 2012 when it served as the finish line for a celebrity run organized by the National Lottery.
Initially designed to accommodate 80,000 spectators for the Olympics and Paralympics, the stadium reopened in July 2016 with a reduced capacity of 66,000 seats, limiting football capacity to 60,000 under the lease terms.
The decision to make West Ham United the primary tenant sparked controversy, leading to a rerun of the initial tenancy process.
5. Anfield (61,015)
- Construction cost: N/A
- Opened: 1884
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool,
- Field size: 101 by 68 metres (110.5 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: GrassMaster
Anfield is a football stadium in Liverpool, England, and it’s the fifth largest football stadium in the country.
It has been the home of Liverpool since the club was formed in 1892. Before that, from 1884 to 1891, it was Everton’s home until a disagreement with the club president led them to move to Goodison Park.
The stadium has four stands: the Spion Kop, the Main Stand, the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, and the Anfield Road End.
The highest attendance recorded was 61,905 in a match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1952. In 1994, Anfield became an all-seater stadium following the recommendations of the Taylor Report, which led to a reduction in its capacity.
Two gates at Anfield are named after former Liverpool managers, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Both managers are honored with statues outside the stadium. Shankly’s statue was unveiled in 1997 near the Kop Stand, while Paisley’s was unveiled in 2020 near the Main Stand. The stadium is approximately 2 miles (3 km) from Liverpool Lime Street railway station.
In 2002, there was a proposal to move the club to a new stadium in Stanley Park, but this plan was abandoned after Fenway Sports Group acquired Liverpool F.C. in 2010.
Instead, the decision was made to expand Anfield. Construction for an extension to the main stand began in December 2014, and it opened to the public on September 9, 2016, increasing the stadium capacity to 54,074.
6. Emirates Stadium (60,704)
- Construction cost: £390 million (2004
- Opened: 22 July 2006
- Location: Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, London
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: GrassMaster
The Emirates Stadium, also known as Arsenal Stadium for UEFA competitions, is a football stadium in Holloway, London, England. Arsenal Football Club has called it home since it was finished in 2006.
With a seating capacity of 60,704, it’s the fifth-largest football stadium in England.
Back in 1997, Arsenal wanted to expand their existing stadium, Highbury, but Islington Council said no. So, they looked into moving and even thought about buying Wembley Stadium.
In 2000, they bought some land in Ashburton Grove, got approval from the council in 2001, and decided to build a new stadium there. This move was a big deal for Arsenal, similar to when they appointed Herbert Chapman in the 1920s.
The actual work on the new stadium began in 2004, and Emirates became the main sponsor.
The project was finished in 2006, costing £390 million, and the old Highbury stadium was turned into apartments.
Since 2009, the Emirates Stadium has been getting an “Arsenalisation” makeover to bring backlinks to the club’s history. Besides football matches, it has also hosted international games and music concerts.
7. Etihad Stadium (53,400)
- Construction cost: £112 million (athletics stadium) £22 million (football conversion) £20 million (football fit-out)
- Opened: 25 July 2002 (as athletics stadium) 10 August 2003 (as football stadium)
- Location: Etihad Campus Manchester
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: Desso GrassMaster
The Etihad Stadium, also known as the City of Manchester Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is the home of the Premier League club Manchester City.
It’s the sixth-largest stadium in England and the ninth-largest in the United Kingdom.
Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the stadium has hosted various events, including the 2008 UEFA Cup final, England football internationals, rugby league matches, a boxing world title fight, the England rugby union team’s final group match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and summer music concerts.
The stadium was initially proposed as an athletics arena for Manchester’s bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics.
After the Commonwealth Games, it was converted from a 38,000-capacity arena to a 48,000-seat football stadium. This conversion cost the city council £22 million and Manchester City £20 million.
Manchester City F.C. leased the stadium from Manchester City Council and moved there from Maine Road in the summer of 2003.
Laing Construction built the stadium for £112 million, and the design by Arup featured a cable-stayed roof structure supported entirely by twelve exterior masts and cables.
The stadium design received acclaim, winning awards for its innovative inclusive building design and unique structural design.
In August 2015, a 7,000-seat third tier on the South Stand was completed.
The expansion aimed to match the existing roof design. A redevelopment program for the North Stand, with a new hotel, covered fan park, and increased net capacity to 61,474, began in July 2023 with an expected completion by the end of 2026 for £300 million.
8. St. James’ Park (52,404)
- Construction cost: N/A
- Opened: 1892
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: Grass (Desso GrassMaster)
St James’ Park has been Newcastle United F.C.’s home ground since 1892 and has a football history dating back to 1880.
Over the years, the desire for expansion has caused conflicts with residents and the council, leading to proposed relocations in the late 1960s and a controversial plan in 1995 to move to nearby Leazes Park.
However, reluctance to move has resulted in the current stadium’s distinctive, asymmetrical stands.
In addition to hosting club football, St James’ Park has been a venue for various events, including international football during the 2012 Olympics, rugby league’s Magic Weekend, rugby union World Cup, Premiership and England Test matches, charity football events, rock concerts, and as a setting for film and reality television.
The history of football at St James’ Park began in 1880 when Newcastle Rangers played there.
After brief stints at other grounds, Newcastle West End took over in 1886. In 1892, Newcastle East End, merging with West End, took over the lease and became Newcastle United.
The first official game at St James’ Park for Newcastle United was on September 3, 1892.
Residents’ opposition to football at St James’ dates back to the early Football League games, prompting redevelopment with the addition of stands in 1899, bringing the official capacity to 30,000 (standing).
9. Stadium of Light (48,339)
- Construction cost: £24 million
- Opened: 1997
- Location: Monkwearmouth, Sunderland
- Field size: 115 × 75 yards (105 × 68 metres)
- Surface: Grass
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium, serving as the eighth and current home to Sunderland A.F.C.
It’s the ninth-largest football stadium in England. The stadium is majorly used for Sunderland A.F.C. home matches. Its name, chosen by chairman Bob Murray, reflects the North East’s coal mining heritage and the former Monkwearmouth Colliery site where it stands.
At the entrance, a Davy lamp monument pays homage to the coal mining industry that once thrived in the town.
In addition to hosting Sunderland games, the stadium has been a venue for three matches for the England national football team, as well as matches for England under-20, under-21, and women’s teams.
Originally designed with a capacity of 42,000, it was expanded in 2000 to seat 49,000, with a simple design allowing for potential future expansions up to a capacity of 64,000.
The highest attendance recorded at the Stadium of Light is 48,353, set on April 13, 2002, during a match between Sunderland and Liverpool, with the visitors winning 1–0.
Beyond football, the stadium has hosted performances by artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Oasis, Take That, Kings of Leon, P!nk, Coldplay, Spice Girls, and Elton John.
The venue also features conference and banqueting suites, the ‘Black Cats Bar,’ and a club shop selling Sunderland merchandise.
10. Villa Park (42,573)
- Construction cost: £16,733
- Opened: 1897; 127 years ago
- Location: Trinity Road, Birmingham B6 6HE
- Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
- Surface: Desso GrassMaster
Villa Park is a football stadium in Aston, serving as the home ground for Premier League club Aston Villa since 1897.
The stadium is located less than a mile from Witton and Aston railway stations and has hosted sixteen England internationals, the first in 1899 and the most recent in 2005.
Villa Park holds the record for hosting 55 FA Cup semi-finals, the most of any stadium, and ranks as the 10th largest stadium in England.
In 1897, Aston Villa moved to the Aston Lower Grounds, a sports ground in a Victorian amusement park on the former grounds of Aston Hall, a Jacobean stately home.
The stadium has undergone various renovations, resulting in the current configuration with stands like the Holte End, Trinity Road Stand, North Stand, and Doug Ellis Stand.
Before 1914, a cycling track surrounded the pitch, hosting cycling and athletic events. Beyond football, Villa Park has hosted concerts, boxing matches, and international rugby league and rugby union events.
In 1999, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final took place at Villa Park, and in 2012, it hosted the FA Community Shield.
Aston Villa has plans to redevelop the North Stand, which would increase Villa Park’s capacity from 42,640 to 50,065.