Wembley Stadium
England's national football stadium and home of the FA Cup Final.
Wembley Stadium, branded as Wembley Stadium connected by EE for sponsorship reasons, is an association football stadium in Wembley, London, England. It opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which had stood from 1923 until 2000. The stadium is England's national football stadium, and thus hosts the majority of the England national team home matches and the FA Cup Final – the final of England's primary domestic club football competition. It is considered one of the most well known football stadiums in the world, and is considered a hub for the English game. Wembley Stadium is owned by the governing body of English football, the Football Association, whose headquarters are in the stadium, through its subsidiary Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL). With 90,000 seats, it is the largest stadium in the UK and the second-largest stadium in Europe, behind Barcelona's Camp Nou.
- Key Feature
- The Arch (Original Twin Towers demolished in 2002)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Designed by Populous and Foster and Partners, the stadium is crowned by the 134 m Wembley Arch which serves aesthetically as a landmark across London as well as structurally, with the arch supporting over 75% of the entire roof load. The stadium was built by Australian firm Multiplex at a cost of £798 million. Two partially retractable roof structures over the east and west ends of the stadium can be opened to allow sunlight and aid pitch growth. The stadium's signature feature is a circular section lattice arch of 7 m internal diameter with a 315 m span, erected some 22° off true, and rising to 133 m. It supports all the weight of the north roof and 60% of the weight of the retractable roof on the southern side. The arch is the world's longest unsupported roof structure. Demolition of the original stadium officially began on 30 September 2002, with the Twin Towers being dismantled in December 2002.
In Their Own Story
The new stadium was completed and handed over to the FA on 9 March 2007. While the stadium had hosted football matches since the handover in March, the stadium was officially opened on Saturday 19 May, with the staging of the 2007 FA Cup Final. Eight days before that on Friday 11 May, the statue of Bobby Moore had been unveiled by his former England team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton outside the stadium entrance, as the 'finishing touch' to the completion of the stadium. The twice life-size bronze statue, sculpted by Philip Jackson, depicts England's 1966 World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore, looking down Olympic Way. A UEFA category four stadium, Wembley hosted the 2011, 2013 and the 2024 Champions League Finals, eight games at UEFA Euro 2020 (including the final and both of the semi-finals), and hosted the final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. The stadium hosted the gold-medal matches at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament.
Reader's Guide
In addition to England home games and the FA Cup final, the stadium also hosts other major games in English football, including the season-opening FA Community Shield, the finals of lower tiered cup competition – the FA Trophy, the FA Vase, finals of the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy, the FA Cup semi-finals, and the promotion play-off finals of the tiers two, three, four, and five of the English football league system. The stadium also hosts the Women's FA Cup finals and an increasing number of home games of the England women's national football team. A UEFA category four stadium, Wembley hosted the 2011, 2013 and the 2024 Champions League Finals, eight games at UEFA Euro 2020 (including the final and both of the semi-finals), and hosted the final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. The stadium hosted the gold-medal matches at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament. The stadium also hosts the Rugby Football League's Challenge Cup, Women's Challenge Cup, and 1895 Cup finals, in addition to various music concerts. The stadium also hosts NFL London Games and was the temporary home of Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur between August 2017 and March 2019, while White Hart Lane was being demolished and their new stadium was constructed. Wembley has also been chosen as one of the host stadia for UEFA Euro 2028.
Did You Know?
- The stadium's arch supports over 75% of the entire roof load.
- The arch is 134 m tall and has a span of 315 m.
- The stadium has 90,000 seats, making it the largest in the UK.
- The original Wembley Stadium's twin towers were demolished in December 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wembley Stadium?
Wembley Stadium, known as the 'Home of Football,' is England's national stadium located in London with a capacity of approximately 90,000 spectators. It serves as the primary venue for the England National Team and houses iconic features like the famous Arch.
What role does Wembley play in English football?
The stadium functions as the central stage for major tournaments, knockout matches, and historic international fixtures involving the national team. It is where the most significant moments of English footballing achievement are forged and remembered.
Why is Wembley Stadium considered so important?
Beyond being a sporting arena, it stands as a national monument symbolizing the pinnacle of England's football history. Its status as an active operational site ensures it remains the sacred ground for the team's greatest dreams.
Does Wembley have any unique historical features?
The current structure is famous for its massive Arch, while the original stadium was renowned for its distinctive Twin Towers. These landmarks mark the venue's evolution from its initial construction to its modern rebuilding as a world-class facility.
Where exactly is Wembley Stadium located?
Situated in Wembley, London, England, this active stadium remains the official home ground for all major England National Team matches. Its central location in the capital makes it accessible to fans from across the nation and beyond.
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