Overview

Wembley Stadium is the national stadium of England, located in the Wembley area of northwest London. The current bowl was constructed on the same site as the original stadium and opened after a rebuilding programme completed in the mid-2000s; it is one of the largest stadiums in the United Kingdom and a regular venue for major sporting fixtures and large-scale entertainment events. For official information and visitor guidance see Wembley.

History and development

The first stadium on the site, sometimes called the Empire Stadium, opened in the early 20th century and became famous for staging national and international matches. That original ground was demolished to make way for the present structure, which was built between 2003 and 2007 on the same footprint. The redevelopment replaced the old stands with a modern, all-seater bowl and a distinctive silhouette that deliberately references the original venue; historical context is available via the original Wembley.

Design and characteristics

The new stadium holds approximately 90,000 spectators in a single-tier main stand and multiple upper tiers. A prominent architectural feature is a sweeping arch that spans the stadium; the arch helps support sections of the roof and was designed so that it would not project a distracting shadow onto the playing surface during events. The roof and seating layout are configured to optimise sightlines, acoustics and crowd movement for both sport and concerts.

Primary uses

  • Football: The stadium is the traditional site for the FA Cup final and its semi-finals, as well as other domestic cup finals such as the League Cup; see FA Cup for the principal event. It is also the home venue for the England national football team when fixtures are played in London; details on national team fixtures are available at England national team.
  • Concerts and events: Wembley continues the long tradition of hosting large concerts. International artists and benefit events — examples include Metallica, Muse and George Michael — have performed there, as well as major memorial and global concerts such as the Concert for Diana and the Live Earth event; the latter took place in July 2007 (see 2007 and July 7 references).
  • American football: In recent years the stadium has hosted NFL regular-season fixtures as part of the International Series. The first NFL match held there featured the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins, and clubs such as the Jacksonville Jaguars have staged home games in London under temporary arrangements.

Practical notes and notable facts

Wembley is designed for multipurpose use, combining large capacity with modern facilities for players, performers and spectators. It has become an iconic London landmark largely because of its size and its arch, which is visible from many vantage points. Event policies such as bag restrictions, access arrangements and security can vary by organiser and by event; visitors should consult event-specific guidance before attending. The stadium continues to be centrally important to English sport and to large-scale entertainment in the UK.