Wembley Stadium

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Lore & Background

Designed by Populous and Foster and Partners, the stadium is crowned by the 133-metre-high (436 ft) 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 (£1.41 billion today). Two partially retractable roof structures over the east and west ends can be opened to allow sunlight and aid pitch growth. The arch is the world's longest self-supporting roof structure. The stadium does not have the largest roof-covered seating capacity in the world.

In Their Own Story

The roar begins before the first kick is struck, a low rumble that vibrates through the concrete foundations of Wembley. In the tunnel, the blue shirts of Manchester City stand shoulder to shoulder, eyes fixed on the distant pitch illuminated by floodlights. The air smells of cut grass and anticipation. As the players emerge from the shadows into the blinding light, the sea of sky blue in the stands swells into a deafening chant that echoes off the great arch above. For ninety minutes, history hangs in the balance, suspended between the past struggles at this very ground and the potential for eternal glory.

Reader's Guide

In addition to England home games and the FA Cup final, the stadium hosts the FA Community Shield, finals of the FA Trophy, FA Vase, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy, FA Cup semi-finals, promotion play-off finals of tiers two to five of the English football league system, Women's FA Cup finals, and home games of the England women's national football team. It also hosts the Rugby Football League's Challenge Cup, Women's Challenge Cup, and 1895 Cup finals, NFL London Games, and music concerts. It was the temporary home of Tottenham Hotspur between August 2017 and March 2019. Wembley has been chosen as a host stadium for UEFA Euro 2028.

Did You Know?

• The stadium's arch is 133 m (436 ft) high, not 134 m as sometimes reported.
• The stadium hosted the 2011, 2013, and 2024 Champions League Finals, eight games at UEFA Euro 2020 (including the final and both semi-finals), and the final of UEFA Women's Euro 2022.
• The stadium also hosted the gold-medal matches at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament.
• The stadium's construction cost £798 million in 2007, making it one of the most expensive stadia ever built.
• The arch supports over 75% of the entire roof load and is the world's longest self-supporting roof structure.