The 10 Oldest Soccer Stadiums in Britain
Listing the 10 oldest football stadiums in Britain is not a simple, clear cut procedure. It is a bit like choosing the oldest pub in Britain. There are various contenders with compelling competing claims. Thus, there are different top ten oldest ground lists for the UK depending on the source you choose. It is a case of 'You pays your money; you takes your choice'.
However, here is Soccerphile's take on the ten oldest stadiums in Britain with a few honorable mentions outside our top ten slots thrown in for good measure.
1. Sandygate Road (Hallam FC)
Recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate (Sandygate Road) in Sheffield has been in use since 1860. It hosted the first inter-club match between Hallam FC and Sheffield FC on Boxing Day 1860. Today, it remains the home of Hallam FC, who compete in the 8th tier of English football and Hallam CC (cricket club). Thus Sandygate Road hosts the the world's oldest football derby - Sheffield FC v Hallam FC. The derby was first played on Boxing Day 1860 under the original "gentleman's rules" and is a celebration of football's true and original values of Integrity, Respect & Community.
(The photo shows Sandygate Road in 1957).
2. Bramall Lane (Sheffield United)
Opened in 1855, Bramall Lane, also in Sheffield, initially served as a cricket ground before hosting its first football match in 1862. It became the home of Sheffield United upon the club's formation in 1889. The stadium has the distinction of hosting the world's first football tournament final, the Youdan Cup, and has undergone numerous renovations to modernize its facilities.
3. The Racecourse Ground (Wrexham AFC)
Established in 1801, The Racecourse Ground was initially used for horse racing (hence the name) and cricket. It became the home of Wrexham AFC in 1864. The ground has witnessed numerous memorable matches and continues to be a center for football in Wales. It was the venue for Wales' first home international match in 1877 v Scotland, thus making it the world's oldest international football stadium still hosting international matches. The last international at the ground was Wales v Gibraltar in 2023. Cardiff City Stadium is now the preferred 'home' ground of the Wales men's international team.
4. Field Mill (Mansfield Town)
With records indicating football matches played as early as 1861, Field Mill in Nottinghamshire is among Britain's oldest football grounds. Mansfield Town adopted the stadium in 1919, and it has since been their home. The name comes from a textile mill that was once located nearby.
5. Tannadice Park (Dundee United)
Tannadice Park, in Dundee, Scotland, is home to Dundee United. Constructed in 1870, Tannadice Park is Scotland's oldest stadium still in use. Originally named Clepington Park, it was renamed in 1909 when Dundee United, then known as Dundee Hibernian, took residence. Notably, Tannadice is situated just 200 yards from Dens Park, home of city rivals Dundee FC, making them the closest professional football grounds in the UK.
6. Deepdale (Preston North End)
Deepdale, located in Preston, northwest England, has been the home of Preston North End since 1878. It is often cited as one of the oldest continuously used football stadiums in the world. The stadium has four stands: The Sir Tom Finney Stand, The Invincibles Pavilion, The Alan Kelly Town End and The Bill Shankly Kop. The ground has been in use since 1875, when the North End sports club secured a lease on the land. Originally a farm, the site was used for rugby and cricket matches before hosting its first association football game in 1878, while its first league game was in September 1888, when PNE defeated Burnley 5-2.
7. Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC)
Opened in 1877, Stamford Bridge initially served as an athletics venue before becoming the home of Chelsea FC upon the club's founding in 1905. The now 40,173 capacity venue has a rich history, having hosted several international matches, and other sports events. Archibald Leitch, who was involved or partially-involved in the design of Anfield, Celtic Park, Craven Cottage, Deepdale, Hampden Park, Ibrox, Old Trafford, Villa Park and many other grounds in the UK was hired to build the stadium. Continuous renovations ensure Stamford Bridge remains a top-tier football venue.
8. Anfield (Liverpool FC)
Anfield, Liverpool, (61,276), is one of the most iconic and historic football grounds in the UK and the home of Liverpool FC since its founding in 1892. With a seating capacity of over 60,000, it is renowned for its electrifying atmosphere, particularly on European nights, and for the passionate support of Liverpool fans. The stadium is famous for its Kop Stand, one of the most celebrated stands in football, where fans create a wall of noise and banners in support of their team. Anfield also features the Hillsborough Memorial and the Shankly Gates, honoring the club's rich history and connection to its supporters. The venue has undergone significant modernizations, including the expansion of the Main Stand. The surrounding streets are a brick canvas and homage to the club in a series of striking LFC murals.
9. Tynecastle Park (Heart of Midlothian FC)
Located in Edinburgh, Tynecastle Park has been the home of Heart of Midlothian FC since 1886. It has a capacity of 19,852 and Scotland. Hearts have been in residence at the present site since 1886 though the club were founded in 1874.
10. Goodison Park (Everton FC)
Opened in 1892, Goodison Park has been the home of Everton FC for over 130 years. The stadium has hosted numerous important matches, including an FA Cup final and international fixtures. As of 2025, Everton is preparing to move to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, marking the end of an era for the stadium. Goodison Park has hosted more top-flight games than any other stadium in England to date. The historic ground has also been the venue for an FA Cup Final and several international matches, including a semi-final match in the 1966 World Cup. Following the 2024-2025 season, Goodison Park will be demolished and the site redeveloped.
Other Historic Grounds in Britain
Other venues in Britain with claims to be in the top ten oldest football grounds include Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers, and Burnley's Turf Moor.
Football has been played on the site of Ewood Park since at least 1881 with Blackburn Rovers playing there since 1890.
Turf Moor, in Burnley, Lancashire, England, has been the home of Burnley Football Club since 1883, making it the second-longest continuously used stadium in professional English football.
Rodney Parade, home of Newport County, has a claim to be the third-oldest sports venue in the Football League, after the Racecourse Ground and Deepdale.
Other historic grounds in the UK include Craven Cottage (1896), home to Fulham FC, the oldest professional club in London, Hampden Park (1903), the second-largest football stadium in Scotland after Celtic Park, St James' Park, used for football since 1880 and home to Newcastle United since 1892. Ipswich Town have played at Portman Road since 1884.
The oldest stand in British football and indeed the world is the grandstand at Wellesley Recreation Ground home to Great Yarmouth Town FC. A Grade II listed structure, the Victorian brick and wood stand dates from the early 1890s. It can seat 500 people.
York Road, the home of Maidenhead United, is recognized by both The Football Association and FIFA as the oldest senior association football ground in the world that has been continuously used by the same club, having been home to Maidenhead since 1871.
The Northolme, home to Gainsborough Trinity, claims to be the 'oldest single team ground in the world' - that is the oldest football ground where one club has played continuously. That is, in Gainsborough Trinity's case, from 1873.
Meadow Lane is home to the oldest professional club in the world, Notts County founded in 1862, who have played at the stadium since 1910.
Related
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Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
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