There are a lot of the oldest football stadiums that are still standing for over 100 years, others, though, have disappeared over time.
Football captured the hearts of fans over a century ago, marking the beginning of an era that saw the construction of the first football stadiums in the 19th century.
However, the passage of time has taken its toll, with many of these historic stadiums either succumbing to destruction or undergoing extensive renovations.
The evolution of football stadiums mirrors the beautiful game’s enduring popularity and the need for modernization to meet contemporary standards.
Today, the remnants of these oldest football stadiums stand as echoes of an old era, bearing witness to the evolution of both the game and the places where its magic unfolds.
Oldest Football Stadiums In The World
Most of the world’s biggest football clubs have either already switched to fancy new stadiums or are planning to do it soon.
Only a handful of clubs are left playing on their original grounds.
The ones that stayed put have gone through lots of changes, getting major makeovers and upgrades. They’ve modernized everything, adding high-tech stuff to make watching the game super comfy.
Not too long ago, you could just show up on game day, pay at the gate, and join the crowd in the stands.
During halftime, you might grab an ice cream or hot sausage – and the smells of old bricks and metal. Nowadays, the whole experience of going to a game is like a totally different world.
Racecourse Ground (1801)
The Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, built in 1801, has a unique history. Initially designed for horse racing, it later transitioned into a football stadium in 1864, making it one of the oldest sporting venues in Europe.
Despite its shift in purpose, the stadium has retained its charming character and atmosphere over its remarkable 200-year lifespan.
Even today, with Wales occasionally selecting it for international matches, The Racecourse Ground holds the title of being the world’s oldest stadium still fit for hosting international competitions
1. Sandygate (1804)
Year Established: 1804
Location: Crosspool, Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Team: Hallam FC
Capacity: 1,300 (250 seated)
Field size: N/A
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Northern Counties East League Premier Division
Sandygate, inaugurated in 1804, holds the title of the “Oldest Football Ground in the World” according to the Guinness Book of Records and serves as the home base for Hallam FC.
On December 26, 1860, the first-ever inter-club football match unfolded at Sandygate, featuring Hallam against Sheffield F.C.
With a capacity for 1,000 attendees, Sandygate accommodates only 250 seated spectators.
Established in 1860, Hallam also claims the status of being the second-oldest football club globally. Currently participating in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, it stands at the 9th level of the English football league system.
In 1867, Hallam etched its name in history by winning the world’s first football tournament, the Youdan Cup, and proudly holds onto the historic trophy.
2. Bramall Lane (1855)
Year Established: 1855
Location: Sheffield, England
Team: Sheffield United
Capacity: 32,050
Field size: 101 by 68 metres (110.5 by 74.4 yd)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Premier League
This stadium stands as one of the oldest stadiums in the world.
Initially serving as cricket grounds, the venue exclusively transitioned to hosting Sheffield FC’s home matches in 1889. Despite undergoing periodic repairs and renovations to stay current, the stadium maintains its essence on the original foundations.
In 1936, Bramall Lane witnessed a record-high attendance of 68.2 thousand fans during a home match against Leeds United.
Subsequent renovations, driven by security and safety concerns, halved the seating capacity. Despite these changes, the stadium retains its historical significance.
Having woven itself into the fabric of football history, Bramall Lane continues to be the spiritual home and base for the esteemed Sheffield FC.
3. Field Mill Stadium (1861)
Year Established: 1861
Location: Quarry Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Team: Mansfield Town
Capacity: 9,186
Field size: 114 x 70 yards
Still Exist: Ban till 2032
Current League: EFL League Two
Built-in 1861 in Nottinghamshire, this stadium, home to Mansfield Town, is a vintage gem.
Despite having a shorter history than Bramall Lane, it has the longest tenure as a venue exclusively dedicated to football. It officially became the permanent home of the Stags in 1919, having previously been utilized by multiple clubs simultaneously.
Throughout its existence, this stadium has witnessed several events and historic moments. Among them, one standout occurrence was the 2010 performance by Westlife, during a tour when the stadium was under different ownership.
However, a unique clause in the purchase agreement stipulates a ban on sporting events at the venue until 2032.
While the future remains uncertain, one can only hope that this historic stadium, having weathered the years, will continue to stand as a shred of evidence of its rich legacy in football and entertainment.
4. Tannadice Park (1882)
Year Established: 1882
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Team: Dundee United
Capacity: 14,223
Field size: 110 x 72 yards (100.6 x 65.8 metres)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Scottish Championship
Constructed in 1870, the stadium is another venerable stadium with roots in the 19th century.
Serving as the regular playing grounds for Dundee United since 1909, it was previously a central venue for various local matches.
One intriguing aspect of Tannadice Park is its proximity, a mere 180 meters, to its arch-city rivals at Dens Park.
This close physical proximity occasionally gives rise to football politics and rivalries. In fact, these two stadiums hold the distinction of being the closest pair of football stadiums in the entire UK, setting the stage for intense and closely contested local clashes.
5. Stamford Bridge (1877)
Year Established: 1877
Location: Fulham, London
Team: Chelsea
Capacity: 40,343
Field size: 113 by 74 yards (103.3 m × 67.7 m)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Premier League
It has served as the home base for Chelsea FC since 1905, despite its initial construction in 1877.
Over the years, the stadium has undergone multiple developments to stay at the forefront of world-class facilities. These improvements include advanced technology implementations, expanded seating capacity, and other modern amenities.
Despite the desire for renovations, financial constraints posed challenges, causing a delay in the completion of necessary upgrades.
While there were considerations to relocate and find an alternative stadium, as of now, no final agreement has been reached.
This uncertainty implies that fans might still have the opportunity to return to Stamford Bridge and witness their favorite team in action within the Premier League.
6. Rodney Parade (1877)
Year Established: 1877
Location: Rodney Road Newport
Team: Newport County, Dragons RFC & Newport RFC
Capacity: 7,850
Field size: N/A
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: EFL League Two
The stadium stands as the home and arena for Newport County Football Club.
Two rugby teams also utilize this stadium for games in major leagues, contributing to its reputation as a modern and contemporary sports venue.
Despite its establishment in 1877, Rodney Parade has witnessed significant action, including hosting Tottenham Hotspur during their participation in the FA Cup.
Beyond football, the stadium has a rich rugby history, having hosted matches featuring prominent teams such as South Africa and New Zealand.
This legacy renders Rodney Parade a cherished and unmistakable asset within the surrounding community, further solidifying its role as a venue steeped in sporting history.
7. Deepdale (1878)
Year Established: 1878
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Team: Preston North End
Capacity: 23,408
Field size: 110 by 77 yards (101 m × 70 m)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: EFL Championship
Built-in 1878, Deepdale holds the record of being the site for one of the first matches of the English Football League.
Known as the oldest continually used stadium solely for football, especially in the professional aspect, it serves as the cherished home ground for Preston North End.
The stadium’s original location was Deepdale Farm, a plot of land leased on January 21, 1875, by the North End sports club in the town.
Initially designed for cricket and rugby, it saw its inaugural association football match on October 5, 1878.
On June 21, 1890, Deepdale hosted the first professional baseball game, featuring Preston North End Baseball Club against Derby Baseball Club, with the latter emerging victorious with a score of 6–9.
In an unfortunate turn of events, an attempt to destroy the ground occurred in 1913. As part of the suffragette bombing and arson campaign, activists carried out a series of bombings and arson attacks nationwide, aiming to draw attention to their campaign for women’s suffrage.
Deepdale, in this context, became a historical witness to both the evolution of sports and broader social movements in its long-standing existence.
8. Ewood Park (1882)
Year Established: 1882
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Team: Blackburn Rovers
Capacity: 31,367
Field size: 115 yd × 76 yd (105 m × 69 m)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: EFL Championship
Football has been played on the site since at least 1881, when it was known as Ewood Bridge, likely little more than a field. Blackburn Rovers played four matches there, with their first game against Sheffield Wednesday on April 9, 1881.
The stadium officially opened its doors in April 1882 and, throughout the 1880s, hosted football, athletics, and a variant of greyhound racing (not oval).
In 1890, Rovers returned, signing a ten-year lease at an initial annual rent of £60, and their first match at the ground upon their return was against Accrington in September.
In 1893, Blackburn Rovers acquired the freehold of the ground for £2500. However, the club faced a perilous situation soon after when a stand collapsed under the weight of a 20,000-strong crowd during the visit of Everton.
Ewood Park is now an all-seater multi-sports facility with a capacity of 31,367, featuring four distinct sections: the Bryan Douglas Darwen End.
The Ronnie Clayton Blackburn End, the Riverside Stand, and the Jack Walker Stand, named after Blackburn industrialist and club supporter, Jack Walker.
9. Turf Moor (1883)
Year Established: 1883
Location: Burnley, Lancashire, England
Team: Burnley FC
Capacity: 21,944
Field size: 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Premier League
Turf Moor has been Burnley’s since the year of its conception in 1883.
It has an unbroken service, marking it as the second-longest continuously used ground in English professional football. The stadium, located on Harry Potts Way, is named after the manager who secured Burnley’s victory in the 1959–60 First Division, adding a touch of historical significance.
The sporting legacy of Turf Moor dates back to at least 1843 when Burnley Cricket Club first utilized the site.
In 1883, the integration of Burnley Football Club into the venue commenced, with the first grandstand erected in 1885, accompanied by terraces at each end. Substantial redevelopment occurred between the mid-1950s and mid-1970s, leading to the reconstruction of all stands.
A key moment in Turf Moor’s evolution came in 1913 when the Stars Stand was demolished for the second time, making way for an expanded uncovered embankment.
Simultaneously, the Brunshaw Road Stand saw an extension covering the entire pitch.
By 1914, a roof was added to cover the terracing at the Cricket Field End. These developments significantly increased the stadium’s capacity to around 50,000, a remarkable figure nearly equivalent to the town’s male population at the time.
10. Anfield Stadium (1884)
Year Established: 1884
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Team: Liverpool FC
Capacity: 54,074
Field size: 101 by 68 metres (110.5 yd × 74.4 yd)
Still Exist: Yes
Current League: Premier League
Anfield, currently undergoing expansion to accommodate 61,276 spectators, holds a seating capacity of 54,074, ranking as the fifth-largest football stadium in England.
Since Liverpool’s formation in 1892, it has served as their home ground.
Interestingly, Anfield was initially the home of Everton from 1884 to 1891 before a dispute with the club president led to Everton’s move to Goodison Park.
The stadium features four stands: the Spion Kop, the Main Stand, the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, and the Anfield Road End. Anfield’s record attendance of 61,905 was established during a match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1952.
Named after its surrounding area, Anfield’s origin is traced to Old and Middle English words signifying “a field on a slope.”
The association of the term Anfield with the location dates back to at least 1642. There’s a suggestion that the name may be linked to the 1850s influx of Irish immigrants into the growing city, possibly connected with Annefield outside New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.
FAQs
Which is the oldest football stadium in the world?
Sandygate, owned by Hallam FC in Sheffield, is the oldest football ground.
They had their first proper game there on December 26, 1860, against Sheffield Football Club. It’s a special place with lots of football history.
Which is the oldest stadium in the world?
The oldest stadium in history is Olympia, Greece.
It’s where the ancient Olympic Games happened from 776 BC. In the beginning, there was just one event – a sprint from one end of the stadium to the other.
What is the oldest stadium in Africa?
The King Fouad I Stadium, also called “The Stadium of 25 January,” is a place in Alexandria, Egypt, that can be used for many things.
It was made in 1929 by King Fouad I of Egypt and Sudan. It’s the oldest stadium in Africa and can hold 25,000 people.
When was the first stadium built in Nigeria?
The first stadium built in Nigeria is the Lagos Race Course, which was later renamed Tafawa Balewa Square.
It was constructed in 1928 during the colonial era and served as a multi-purpose arena for various events, including sports. This historic stadium is located in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city.
Who has the biggest stadium in the Premier League?
Manchester United
The largest stadium in the Premier League by seating capacity is Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United. Old Trafford has a seating capacity of over 74,000, making it the largest stadium among the current Premier League clubs.
Which stadium is the biggest in the world?
Narendra Modi Stadium 132,000
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