Hidden Facts about Premier League Stadiums

Exploring the Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Facts about Premier League Stadiums


The English Premier League is renowned for serving up some of the most competitive and high-quality footballing action we'll ever see on a football pitch. But beyond the high-level football and the roaring crowds that troop in every matchday to support their various teams, the Stadiums that host these matches have their unique appeal.

For some people, the rich history and great pride are associated with the stadiums. For others, the impressive architecture and the amazing atmosphere they give off that count.

While we know so much about these stadiums, there's so much more that we have yet to discover or even appreciate. Today, we explore some of the lesser-known facts about these Stadiums.

The Architectural Wonders of Premier League Stadiums


One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of your club is probably its football stadium. That is why some clubs make sure that their arenas are as iconic and impressive as possible – from the architecture to the amenities inside and the overall ambience they provide.

The Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal, is a great example, thanks to its unique diamond-style exterior. While this design is unique, it does more than catch the eye. It also helps reduce wind resistance while regulating the temperature observed inside the stadium. Its iconic roof is also marvelous. The site of 24 triangular panels creates a seamless, curved effect that continues to amaze visitors to the arena.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is another great example of an architectural masterpiece in Stadium design and construction. Apart from its impressive curved, glass-paneled exterior, the stadium boasts the world's first dividing retractable pitch. Watching it retract gently to reveal another pitch regularly hosting NFL games is almost surreal.

Historical Tidbits: From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Venues


Many of the impressive football stadiums in the league today did not always look like the iconic landmarks they are now. Some have humble beginnings that you can trace back to when they could barely host a few thousand people.

The first stands that rose at Liverpool's Anfield could barely hold 8,000 people. And even then, it was the home of its fierce city rivals, Everton, before they moved to Goodison Park. Fast-forward several decades, and Anfield is the Legendary Stadium of the highly successful Liverpool football club. Today, the famous Kop stand and multiple others are capable of hosting more than 60,000 people every matchday.

Far away in London, Craven Cottage, the home of Fulham, remains an iconic stadium rooted in history and tradition. This stadium was named after a cottage built in 1780 by William Craven. You can still glance at this important piece of history standing in a corner of the ground during match days. Some of the wooden seats used back then in the stadium remain functional. In contrast, the ones used in Bramall Lane, the oldest stadium actively hosting football games, were only removed in 2005.

Here's a list of some of the oldest Stadiums in the English Premier League.

● Bramall Lane (Sheffield United) - Opened in 1855 but rebuilt in 1975
● Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) - Opened in 1877
● Anfield (Liverpool) - Opened in 1884
● Goodison Park (Everton) - Opened in 1892
● St. James' Park (Newcastle United) - Opened in 1892
● Villa Park (Aston Villa) - Opened in 1897
● Craven Cottage (Fulham) - Opened in 1896
● Old Trafford (Manchester United) - Opened in 1910

Unique Features and Quirky Facts about Premier League Stadiums


Many of the Stadiums that host EPL matches every weekend have a few unique edges. While some are very obvious, quite a few will go unnoticed by even the most frequent match goer. For fans of Tottenham Hotspur, it is a microbrewery capable of serving over 10,000 beers per minute. Yes! You heard that right. The club's partnership with Beaverton Brewery has helped it site a 65m-long bar near the Stadium's South East end, and it is such a nice touch, too.

To less quirky facts, many visitors to the Emirates Stadium may not know that the stadium's roof is the site of over 2,500 solar panels. It makes the Emirates one of the world's most energy-efficient stadiums.

Behind the Scenes: Unseen Aspects of Stadium Operations


For all the roaring crowds, well-maintained turfs, and beaming floodlights you see in these stadiums, there is some serious work behind the scenes. Under the hood and arch-roofs, these stadiums operate like well-oiled machines, with maintenance, servicing, and testing in full swing.

For some, the dedicated team of groundskeepers is working tirelessly to deliver a great pitch every matchday. For others, it is the tickets preparing for smooth spectator entry every matchday. You'll not always see the lighting technicians working to ensure you get the perfect viewing experience. However, their work is crucial to the overall ambiance of the stadium.

The quality of a pitch is most important for the players that play on it. That is why Stadiums like the Etihad and Anfield use undersoil heating to keep the pitch in playable conditions, even on particularly freezing days. Manchester City's Etihad uses a complex heating and cooling system from a massive facility with enough power to support a small town. It is no wonder these stadiums serve up some of the most incredible atmospheres every other match day.

Fan Experiences: Lesser-Known Amenities and Traditions


Premier League stadiums offer several unpopular amenities and traditions that enhance the fan experience. For example, do you know that some of the tunnels at Old Trafford were once used as air raid shelters at the height of the Second World War? Well, you just did. And even better, you can also request a guided tour of these historic tunnels.

At Anfield, the home fans regularly sing the famous "You'll Never Walk Alone" anthem. But this is no ordinary theme song or entrance song. It is a show of solidarity and support for the victims of the ill-fated 1989 match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Hillsborough Stadium. This incident is now known as the Hillsborough disaster.

These matchday experiences add to the game's overall appeal in England, and it speaks to the thrill and intensity of the league. For people elsewhere who seek this thrill in another way, online sports betting has become an avenue to hit those highs.

For the best odds and a wide range of markets over EPL matches, Betzillion offers helpful resources on different ways to bet online. And if you need help deciding what direction to take in your bets, you'll find their bet tipsters quite handy.

Conclusion


The Stadiums of many EPL clubs today are much more than just football venues. They are befitting tributes to clubs with decades of tradition, history, and community behind them. While many of them have become national monuments due to their historical appeal, many host various gems that many have not found.

So when you drop by your club’s stadium next to watch a match, you can do much more than just cheer for your team. Take time to explore the stories, details, and places that make these stadiums iconic. Only then will you truly understand and appreciate what makes the Premier League special.