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Wembley Stadium Capacity:
90,000 (all seated)
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Wembley Stadium Capacity:
90,000 (all seated)
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| Contents |
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What's The
Stadium Like? The Wembley Stadium Arch (photo) What Is It Like For Supporters? Looking Towards The East Stand (photo) Where To Drink? How To Get There And Where To Park The East & South Stands (photo) By Train/Tube Looking Towards The West Stand (photo) Fans Reviews Stadium Layout Disabled Facilities Record Attendance Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
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| What's The Stadium Like? |
| Well
it may have been late in opening and over budget, but the new stadium has
certainly been worth the wait and the extra expenditure. To say that it
looks superb, is really an understatement. 'Fantastic', 'tremendous', such
words probably still don't do it enough justice. But what is really great
about the stadium, is that it has its own individual identity and character.
From the moment you see the Arch towering over the stadium in the
distance, then you know that this is going to be something special, and
special it is. Plus unlike a number of other stadiums around the world that
host a number of sporting events including football, Wembley is primarily
for football and is the home of the England team. No wonder that it is
labelled the 'Home of Football'. The old Wembley closed its doors in 2000 and was due to re-open in August 2005, but delays meant that the new stadium was not ready until March 2007. Designed by Foster & Partners and HOK Sport, the stadium which was built by Multiplex cost £737m to construct. The stadium is totally enclosed and comprises three tiers, with both sides of the stadium being slightly larger than the ends. These sides are semi circular in construction and although on a larger scale are reminiscent of the similar designs at the Emirates & City Of Manchester Stadiums. Both these side stands large upper and lower tiers, with a smaller middle tier sandwiched in-between. This middle tier overhangs the large lower tier and has a row of executive boxes at the back of it. At each end there is a large video screen, which is moulded into the third and hence is an integral part of the stadium. The stadium has a complicated looking roof, that initially appears retractable and could if necessary be used to enclose the stadium from the outside elements. However, just over one third can be moved, so that the pitch will always be open to the elements. The moveable parts are for the benefit of spectators in inclement weather. It also ensures television broadcasters won't suffer from poor images when there is a strong contrast between sunlight and shaded areas of the pitch on a sunny day. Unlike the old stadium whereby the players would enter the field of play from a tunnel at one end, the players now enter the field in the conventional way, onto the half way line from the North Stand, where the Royal Box is situated.. The most striking external feature of the stadium is 'The Arch', towering some 133 metres
above it. It comprises of white tubular steel, that can be seen for many
miles across London and looks particularly spectacular at night when it is
lit up. Oddly you can't see much of the Arch from inside the stadium. It
does though have a
practical use in being a load bearing support frame for the roofs of the stands. It
reminds me of some sort of theme park ride and I half expect to see people
being propelled over it.... now that would be interesting to watch at half
time! |
| The Wembley Stadium Arch |
|
Seeing Wembley for the first time, you can't help but be impressed with the sheer quality of the place. From escalators to transport fans up to the top tier to the 'landscaped concourse, you can see that no expense has been spared. Although not the most generous of leg room that I have come across, it is still more than adequate and there is good height between rows. Add to this that there literally is not a bad seat in the house (even seats at the very top of the upper tier have excellent views) and with the roofs of the stadium being situated very close to the crowd, then a full house should generate an excellent atmosphere. The top tier (Level 5) is particularly steep, which may cause a few to be a bit short of breadth as they reach the top, but at least this angle ensures that the spectators are kept as close to the playing action as they possibly can be. Whereas most concourses in new stadiums so far built in this country are normally rather drab affairs, with a combination of breeze blocks and cladded piping, being predominantly on view, at Wembley it is different. For once someone has had the vision to hide these ugly features, with timber rafting and well positioned lighting, giving a modern stylish look. Apparently there is one refreshment till per 100 spectators in the stadium. Whether that is a good or bad ratio, in terms of queuing times, remains to be seen. The catering is provided by the same American company who also supply and run the catering at Arsenal. Prices have always been historically expensive at Wembley and the new stadium certainly follows in the tradition here; Various pies £4.50, Jacket Potato £4, Pizza Baguette £4.20, Hot Dog £4, Soup £3.50, Pint of lager or bitter £3.50, red or white wine (miniature bottle) £4. The caterers claim that, the price reflects the quality of the product. Well at those prices I decided not to put that statement to the test, opting instead to eat and drink outside of the stadium. The concourses themselves are mostly fairly spacious, have betting facilities provided by BetFred, a number of flat screened televisions, as well as programme and merchandise outlets. |
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| Where To Drink? |
| As you would expect pubs near the stadium are almost dangerously crowded. I have tended to either drink in the centre of London before the game. or have drank around Harrow On The Hill which is three stops away from Wembley Park on the tube. Alternatively, alcohol is sold within the stadium. |
| How To Get There And Where To Park |
| The
stadium is labelled as a 'public transport' destination. There is little
parking available at the stadium itself and there is also a residents only
parking scheme in operation in the local area. The stadium is well signposted from the
end of the M1 & M40. Basically the stadium is just off the A406 North Circular Road.
For a map showing the location of the stadium in North London click here (to take you to the Streetmap website). I would recommend parking at one of the tube stations at the end of the Metropolitan line such as Uxbridge, Hillingdon or Ruislip or at Stanmore on the Jubilee line and then take the tube to Wembley Park. For a map of the tube click here (to take you to the Transport For London website). |
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| By Train/Tube |
| The nearest tube station is Wembley Park which is around a ten minute walk from the stadium. This is served by both the Jubilee & Metropolitan lines, although it is best to take the latter as it has less stops. Wembley Central is slightly further away from the stadium and has both rail & underground connections. This underground station is served by the Bakerloo line, whilst the railway station is on the London Euston-Milton Keynes line. The nearest train station is Wembley Stadium which is on the London Marylebone-Birmingham line. |
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The photo above was taken
from above the scoreboard |
| Fans Reviews Of Wembley Stadium |
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Tim Joyner (West Bromwich Albion) 28/05/07 Damian Feeney (Blackpool) 27/05/07 Chris Czora (Shrewsbury Town) 26/05/07 Doug Bagley (Tottenham Hotspur) 19/05/07 Chris Hutchings (AFC Totton) 13/05/07 Glyn Berrington (Kidderminster Harriers) 12/05/07 David Lees (Kidderminster Harriers) 12/05/07 Colin Peel (Stadiums Enthusiast) 17/03/07 |
|
Download a plan of the stadium
showing the individual block numbers. |
| Disabled Facilities |
| There are 310 places for wheelchairs located throughout the stadium, including each of the levels. There is also space for each wheelchair user to have a companion helper. |
| Record Attendance |
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Record Attendance: 126,047* West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers FA Cup Final, April 28th, 1923. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 89,826 Chelsea v Manchester United FA Cup Final, May 19th, 2007. * This was the official recorded attendance. But as so many more people had got into the stadium without paying, it is estimated that the crowd was nearer 200,000. |
| Stadium Tours |
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The stadium offer tours on most days of the year. The
90 minute tour costs; Adults £15, Under 16's & Over 60's £8. Family
tickets (2 Adults & 2 Children) are also available at £38. Tours can be
booked online at
www.wembleystadium.com. Tour Review By Doug Bagley (Jan 2008) |
| Hotel Accommodation |
|
If you require hotel accommodation in the
area then first try a hotel booking service provided
by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who
specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling
distance of football grounds. They also have the added advantage over
some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure.
Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but
it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
To access their Wembley and general London page
click here or use the Search Facility below: |
| Feedback |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please
e-mail me and I'll update
the guide.
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