Emirates Stadium
Home of Arsenal FC since 2006, known for its world-class pitch and 'Arsenalisation'.
Emirates Stadium (known as Arsenal Stadium for UEFA competitions) is a football stadium in Holloway, London, England. It has been the home stadium of Arsenal Football Club since its completion in 2006. Arsenal's women's team made the stadium their home in 2024. It has a current seated capacity of 60,704, making it one of the largest football stadiums in England by capacity.
- Opened
- 2006
- Capacity
- 60,704
- Location
- Holloway, London, England
- Former Home
- Highbury
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In 1997, Arsenal explored the possibility of relocating to a new stadium, having been denied planning permission by Islington Council to expand its home stadium, Highbury. After considering various options (including purchasing Wembley Stadium), the club bought an industrial and waste disposal estate in Ashburton Grove in 2000. A year later, they received the council's approval to build a stadium on the site; manager Arsène Wenger described this as the 'biggest decision in Arsenal's history' since the board appointed Herbert Chapman in the 1920s. Relocation plans began in 2002, but financial difficulties delayed work until 2004. Emirates was later announced as the main sponsor for the stadium. The entire stadium project was completed in 2006 at a cost of £390 million. The club's former stadium was redeveloped as Highbury Square, an apartment complex.
In Their Own Story
Relocation plans formally began in 2002, but financial hurdles delayed construction until 2004. The project required raising funds without public subsidy, forcing the club to rely on player sales—recouping over £50 million from transfers like Nicolas Anelka to Real Madrid—and new commercial deals, including a £47 million investment from Granada Media Group in September 2000. Legal challenges continued into January 2005 when the High Court upheld a compulsory purchase order against small firms. The stadium opened in 2006 at a total cost of £390 million. Since then, the venue has undergone "Arsenalisation" since 2009 to restore historical links. The quality of its pitch and groundsmanship earned it the nickname "the Carpet" from fans and media alike.
Reader's Guide
The quality of Arsenal's pitch and groundsmanship have been recognised internationally and led to it being nicknamed 'the Carpet' by matchgoing fans and the wider sports media. Since 2009, the stadium has undergone a process of 'Arsenalisation' with an aim of restoring visible links to Arsenal's history. The stadium hosts international football fixtures (including often acting as a de facto ground of the Brazil national team in Europe), as well as hosting international music acts on a regular basis.
Did You Know?
- The stadium's construction cost £390 million.
- Arsenal's women's team began playing at the stadium in 2024.
- The stadium is nicknamed 'the Carpet' due to the quality of its pitch.
- The club considered purchasing Wembley Stadium before choosing Ashburton Grove.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Arsenal move to the Emirates Stadium?
Arsenal relocated to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, concluding a nearly century-long era at Highbury. This transition allowed the club to remain within its traditional N5 community while upgrading to a modern facility with a capacity exceeding 60,000.
What is the seating capacity of Emirates Stadium?
The venue holds approximately 60,704 spectators, ranking it among the largest stadiums in the Premier League. Its design features steep sightlines to keep supporters close to the action, preserving the intense atmosphere that characterized the former Highbury ground.
Where is Emirates Stadium located?
The stadium is situated in the Highbury district of North London under the N5 postcode. This location was selected to ensure Arsenal stayed rooted in its historic neighborhood despite the extensive redevelopment required for the new arena.
What is the record attendance at Emirates Stadium?
The highest crowd recorded at the venue is 60,161 fans, who attended the match against Manchester United in 2007. This figure demonstrates the stadium's ability to fill its stands for marquee fixtures and high-stakes rivalries.
How does Emirates Stadium connect to Highbury's legacy?
As the club's central hub since 2006, the Emirates Stadium carries forward the heritage of Highbury, which hosted matches from 1913 until 2006. The architecture merges advanced facilities with steep terracing to recreate the intense proximity and intimidation associated with the historic venue.
More in Stadiums & Fan Culture
Related in Arsenal FC
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Arsenal FC universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record