The best English football stadiums

In England, football is more than a sport. The Premier League is the most competitive championship in the world and there are a lot of very popular teams, even in the minor leagues. In this article, we would like to circle out the best football stadiums in the country, sometimes for their architectural marvels and some others for their historic heritage. Without further ado, let’s jump to the list of the best English football stadiums.

UEFA 5 Star stadiums in England

UEFA ranks the European stadiums using the same metrics developed for hospitality. The best stadiums are 5-star venues and we have only two of them in England: the Old Trafford in Manchester and the new Wembley Stadium in London. The requirements to be considered a 5 Star stadium (typically referred to as Elite Stadium as well) are strict and a lot of teams don’t even take them into account when they opt for a venue rebuilding or restyling. Being considered a top of the notch stadium is not mandatory to host UEFA high-end events like Champions or Europa League’s final, so a lot of front offices simply choose to avoid spending that much and finding a suitable location, because they prefer prioritising their supporters’ needs.

Our selection of England’s finest stadiums

We have chosen a top-5 of stadiums according to our taste and the venue’s peculiarities, let’s scroll through it.

Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent

The ex Britannia Stadium is on this list mainly because of the legend according to which The Wizard, Sir Stanley Matthews, wrote in his last will that he wanted his ashes to be buried here. The family never confirmed this theory but it is enough to bring an aura of myth over the venue.

The official name was changed in 2016, when the sportsbook Bet365 began its partnership with the team. This is not the only case of sponsorships between football clubs and sports betting brands. For example, in 2013, Paddy Power entered into a partnership with Manchester City, using the Etihad Stadium for promotional activities. The sponsorship has since ended, but this digital platform still offers fans significant bonuses, such as welcome offers, which require certain conditions to be met—so it's advisable to check here the terms and conditions. This is a go-to destination for each and every fan who loves football and wants to try his or her luck betting on players, teams or results.

As for Stoke City, the club gained a significant financial advantage from the sponsorship of its stadium by Bet365. In May 2021, The bookmaker purchased the Bet365 Stadium for £70.25 million. This transaction allowed the club to substantially reduce its debt, contributing to greater financial stability. The seating allows the entrance of 27.740 people.

Anfield in Liverpool

We chose to avoid the stadiums hosting England’s top teams in this list, to transmit an atmosphere of genuinity, but we couldn’t let Anfield out. Here, football is a religion. Everton’s exit over a rent squabble left Anfield available and it soon became one of the world’s most storied homes, especially on those midweek European Nights. The huge Kop terrace popularised witty chanting, and the stands around it have been raised to meet sky-high expectations. Everton’s decision became a big opportunity for their city rivals.

Craven Cottage in London

London’s oldest ground (built in 1896) is an away fans’ delight. Its famous cottage doubles up as the changing rooms, while the turnstiles for all four stands are uniquely on the same road. Its acoustics are poor, but the old ground was rocking for Fulham’s 2009-10 Europa League run. It is not that big (the capacity is limited at 19.359 seats) but there aren’t a lot of stadiums where people can actually breathe history like in West London.

Villa Park in Birmingham

The Villans play in England’s second oldest stadium. Built in 1897, this is a venue where a football enthusiast can feel as if he or she was in a museum: from the statue of the Football League founder William McGregor to the magnificent Holte End, the whole place oozes history. The spiritual home of the FA Cup semi-final is a true temple to this sport and its grandness clearly shows that Villa are footballing aristocracy.

St.James’ Park in Newcastle

Deep in the North there is a cathedral on a hill. Visible from the city centre as a monolith, the Park is a highlight of the Newcastle skyline. The huge Milburn Stand and Leaves Stand feel like something out of the Camp Nou but we are not in Barcelona and the Magpies’ temple cannot host 100.000 fans. This isn’t an issue, though, because 52.305 persons get in there every time United plays and chants for more than 90 minutes, without pauses.