Football stadiums are more than just venues; they are cultural landmarks, cauldrons of emotion, and homes to some of the most historic clubs and teams in the sport. England, as one of football’s traditional powerhouses, boasts some of the most iconic and largest stadiums in the world. From the legendary Wembley Stadium to club fortresses like Old Trafford and Anfield, these arenas define the country’s footballing identity.
This article ranks the 10 largest football stadiums in England, based on seating capacity, which represents the maximum number of spectators the venue can accommodate.
1. Wembley Stadium
•Location: London
•Club/National Team: England National Team
•Capacity: 90,000
•Opened: 2007
Wembley Stadium is England’s footballing cathedral, serving as the national stadium and the home of the England national team. Built on the site of the original Wembley (1923-2003), this 90,000-seat venue is the largest stadium in the UK and the second-largest in Europe, behind Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou.
Wembley hosts some of football’s most prestigious events, including:
•FA Cup Final
•England home matches
•UEFA Champions League Finals (2011, 2013, and the upcoming 2024 final)
•UEFA Euro 2020 final
•2028 UEFA European Championship matches
Besides football, Wembley has hosted the NFL London Games, the Challenge Cup final in rugby league, and major concerts featuring world-famous artists.
2. Old Trafford
•Location: Manchester
•Club: Manchester United
•Capacity: 74,310
•Opened: 1910
Known as “The Theatre of Dreams,” Old Trafford has been the home of Manchester United since 1910. It is the largest club stadium in the UK and the 12th-largest football stadium in Europe.
The venue has hosted:
•England international matches
•1966 FIFA World Cup games
•UEFA Euro 1996 matches
•2003 UEFA Champions League Final
•2012 Olympic football matches
Future expansion plans could see Old Trafford’s capacity rise to 88,000, making it one of the largest club stadiums in Europe.
3. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
•Location: London
•Club: Tottenham Hotspur
•Capacity: 62,850
•Opened: 2019
Replacing White Hart Lane, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the largest club stadium in London and a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue.
Key features include:
•A dividing, retractable pitch that transforms the stadium into an NFL field, making it the official home of the NFL London Games.
•A unique single-tier South Stand, inspired by Borussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall, creating one of the best atmospheres in English football.
The stadium is also used for concerts and boxing events, further cementing its reputation as a world-class venue.
4. London Stadium
•Location: London
•Club: West Ham United
•Capacity: 62,500
•Opened: 2012
Originally built for the 2012 London Olympics, the London Stadium was later renovated and became the home of West Ham United in 2016.
While it lacks the intimate atmosphere of traditional football grounds, it remains one of the largest stadiums in England and is a key venue for:
•Athletics events
•Concerts
•MLB London Series (baseball)
5. Anfield
•Location: Liverpool
•Club: Liverpool FC
•Capacity: 61,015
•Opened: 1884
Few stadiums in world football are as revered as Anfield, home of Liverpool FC. Originally used by Everton FC before their move to Goodison Park in 1892, Anfield has since been a fortress for the Reds.
It features:
•The Spion Kop, one of football’s most famous stands.
•The recently expanded Anfield Road Stand, completed in December 2023, increasing capacity to 61,015.
•The legendary “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem, which echoes before every match.
Liverpool once considered moving to a new stadium in Stanley Park, but plans were scrapped in favor of expanding Anfield.
6. Emirates Stadium
•Location: London
•Club: Arsenal FC
•Capacity: 60,704
•Opened: 2006
Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, leaving behind the beloved Highbury. With a capacity of 60,704, it is the sixth-largest football stadium in England.
The move was necessary as Highbury could not be expanded due to local restrictions. The Emirates, funded in part by a sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines, remains one of the most modern and well-designed football venues in the world.
7. Etihad Stadium
•Location: Manchester
•Club: Manchester City
•Capacity: 53,400 (to expand to 61,474 by 2026)
•Opened: 2002
Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Etihad Stadium was later converted into a football stadium for Manchester City in 2003.
It has hosted:
•The 2008 UEFA Cup Final
•2015 Rugby World Cup matches
•World title boxing fights
A £300m redevelopment project is underway, increasing the stadium’s capacity to 61,474 by 2026.
8. St. James’ Park
•Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
•Club: Newcastle United
•Capacity: 52,404
•Opened: 1892
St. James’ Park has been Newcastle United’s home since 1892 and is one of England’s most atmospheric stadiums.
Key moments in its history include:
•Hosting matches at UEFA Euro 1996
•Being a venue for the 2012 Olympic Games
•Acting as a temporary home for England while Wembley was being rebuilt
9. Stadium of Light
•Location: Sunderland
•Club: Sunderland AFC
•Capacity: 48,339
•Opened: 1997
The Stadium of Light, home to Sunderland AFC, was opened in 1997 and named in tribute to the region’s coal mining history.
Beyond club football, it has hosted:
•England international matches
•Concerts featuring Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Rihanna
Future expansion plans could take its capacity to 64,000.
10. Villa Park
•Location: Birmingham
•Club: Aston Villa
•Capacity: 42,573
•Opened: 1897
Villa Park has been Aston Villa’s home since 1897 and has a strong connection to English football history.
It holds the record for hosting the most FA Cup semi-finals (55) and was a venue for:
•UEFA Euro 1996
•2012 FA Community Shield
•International rugby and boxing events
Villa Park is set for redevelopment, with a capacity increase to over 50,000 planned before UEFA Euro 2028.
