Football stadiums… when will we meet again? It seems like a lifetime since we were last allowed to visit these spiritual homes. Although, it’s comforting to know that many have been standing for over 100 years and will (probably) still be around when it’s all over.
From Bayern Munich’s colour-changing Allianz Arena to Tottenham’s innovative one – the world’s most modern and glittering stadiums are well documented – in design if not in name – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – but what about the oldest?
Luckily if these historical grounds are more your thing, 90 Minutes has compiled a list for you to add to your ‘places to visit’ pile when the world returns to normal.
Ipswich Town’s Portman Road has been home to the Tractor Boys since 1884 / James Bellis – AMA/Getty Images
built up: 1884
Ipswich Town moved from Broomhill Park to Portman Road in 1884 and have played there ever since.
The stadium underwent significant expansion in the early 2000s, increasing its capacity to 30,311. He was rewarded in 2003 when England hosted Croatia in their first, and to date only, senior international friendly – in a round.
Anfield is home to the reigning Premier League champions / Chloe Knott – Dean House/Getty Images
built up: 1884
Few may be unaware that Liverpool’s famous stadium was originally home to their fiercest rivals Everton for the first seven years of its existence.
A dispute with the club president saw the Toffees move just a few hundred meters away and settle at Goodison Park, and a year later, the Reds were born.
How different would the football landscape be if people could just get along, eh?
Turf Moor has been Burnley’s home since 1883 / JON SUPER/Getty Images
built up: 1883
Burnley have been playing at Turf Moor since 1883, just one year after the club was founded.
The stadium was originally a cricket ground before the football club took ownership and was even the first senior football ground visited by a member of the Royal Family when Prince Albert Victor visited Burnley and Bolton Wanderers in October 1886. Participated in the match.
Ewood Park saw Blackburn lift the Premier League trophy in 1995 / ANDREW YATES/Getty Images
built up: 1882
Burnley’s Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers have called Ewood Park home since 1890, but the grand old stadium had hosted football, athletics and greyhound racing since 1882.
Rovers lifted their only Premier League trophy in 1994/95 after Jack Walker invested heavily on and off the pitch resulting in Ewood Park now holding a stand named after the former owner.
Deepdale was home to the team that won the first English Football League title / Athena Pictures / Getty Images
built up: 1878
Deepdale, home of Preston North End, is widely recognized as the world’s oldest continuously used football stadium for a professional side.
Preston were founder members of the Football League in 1888, and won both the league title and the FA Cup in the inaugural season of 1888/89. They were the first team in English football to achieve a domestic double and are remembered as the original. ‘Invincible’ after going undefeated throughout the campaign.
So if you want a stadium steeped in history, there’s surely no better place.
Rodney Parade recently hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup/Michael Steele/Getty Images
built up: 1877
Rodney Parade is home to Newport County Football Club and two local rugby sides – not always an ideal situation when trying to play the beautiful game in modern times.
The Exiles have only played at Rodney Parade since 2012, but the ground has a long and illustrious rugby history, having hosted the likes of New Zealand and South Africa in the past.
Chelsea have put plans to leave Stamford Bridge on hold / GLYN KIRK/Getty Images
built up: 1877
Commonly known as the Bridge, Chelsea Football Club has occupied its current home since 1905.
In that time, great progress has been made to get it to the state it is in now, and the club struggled to complete renovations due to financial constraints for several years.
The club had intended to leave its historic home in recent years before further expansion proposals were silenced. Neither has yet come to fruition, so you may still get a chance to watch football at this famous ground.
Dundee United’s home is just 180 meters from their city rivals’ stadium / Paul Thomas / Getty Images
built up: 1870
Dundee United have been playing at this famous old stadium since 1909.
It is located just 180 meters from Dundee’s Park, the stadium of city rivals Dundee Football Club. Both grounds are the closest senior football stadiums in the UK.
Field Mill Stadium is home to Mansfield Town / Lindsay Parnaby / Getty Images
built up: 1861
Field Mill Stadium is the home of Mansfield Town in Nottinghamshire. It is currently the oldest ground in the English Football League and has been the home of the Stags since 1919.
The historic arena has witnessed many grand events throughout its history, but none as notable as when Westlife brought their ‘Where We Are Now’ tour to the ground in 2010. The event was so successful that the previous owner sold the stadium for two. Years later – a clause preventing use for non-sporting events remained in place until 2032.
Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is the oldest stadium in the world / Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
built up: 1855
Originally used as a cricket ground and occasionally the home of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield FC, Bramall Lane became the exclusive home of Sheffield United in 1889.
In 1936, the record attendance at the ground was set when the Blades hosted Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in the FA Cup. 68,287 people attended the fifth round tie that day but the ground, as in England, underwent extensive renovations. of Taylor’s Report, and now has a seating capacity of 32,050.
He currently has no plans to leave his spiritual home for Sheffield United, so a trip to South Yorkshire is a ‘must’ in time.