In modern times, football stadiums have become architectural masterpieces. With the emphasis now being placed on size, design, and aesthetics.
The oldest football stadiums in the world may not boast of these features, but they serve as reminders of the long history of the beautiful round-leather game.
Some of these stadiums have been standing for well over 100 years, have seen wars, and still stood the test of time.
Unsurprisingly, majority of the oldest football stadiums in the world are located in England. The history of football in England dates back to at least the 8th century.
In this article, TOP SOCCER BLOG presents you with the top 10 oldest soccer grounds in the world.
1. Sandygate (1804)
First opened in 1804, Sandygate has been recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the “Oldest Football Ground in the World.”
It is the home ground of Hallam FC.
On 26 December 1860, the world’s first ever inter-club football match was played at the ground, with Hallam taking on Sheffield F.C.
Sandygate has a 1000 capacity, with just 250 seated.
Founded in 1860, Hallam is the second oldest football club in the world. The club currently plays in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, at the 9th level of the English football league system.
In 1867, the club made history by winning the world’s first-ever football tournament, the Youdan Cup. Hallam still possesses the historic trophy.
Games against local rivals Sheffield FC — the oldest club in the world — are known as the Rules derby.
2. Bramall Lane (1855)
To some, the 32,750 all-seater Bramall Lane stadium is the oldest major stadium in the world, still hosting professional football matches.
Football was first played at Bramall in 1862 and has been in constant use ever since, hosting the final of the world’s first football tournament and the ever first floodlit game along the way in 1878.
The stadium was originally a cricket ground, built on a road named after the Bramall family, who were prominent local landowners.
It has been the home ground of Sheffield United since 1899.
Although the Blades are no longer a major force to reckon with, Bramall Lane is still a nightmare for away teams.
The record attendance at the ground is 68,287, set during an FA Cup fifth round tie between Sheffield United and Leeds United in February 1936.
3. Field Mill (1861)
Now called the One Call Stadium, Field Mill first hosted a football match in 1861.
It is the oldest ground in the Football League. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 when fully open, but due to safety restrictions, it currently holds 9,186.
It has also been used as a cricket ground and a venue for greyhound racing and rugby league. Since 1919, it has been home to Mansfield Town.
Mansfield Town have been in the Football League since 1931. They haven’t experienced much glory since then and are currently languishing in League Two, the 4th tier of English football.
4. Stamford Bridge (1877)
The most popular stadium on this list, Stamford Bridge, has been hosting football matches since 1877.
It has been the home of Chelsea FC since the club’s founding in 1905, and is one of the oldest football stadiums in the world.
Due to the Blues’ popularity, Stamford Bridge is famous around the world.
With a capacity of 40,341, it is currently the 9th largest venue in the Premier League and the 11th largest football stadium in England.
Opened in 1877, the stadium was used by the London Athletic Club until 1905 when new owner Gus Mears founded Chelsea Football Club to occupy the ground.
It has undergone major changes over the years, most recently in the 1990s when it was renovated into a modern, all-seater stadium.
Furthermore, Stamford Bridge has also hosted numerous other sports, such as cricket, rugby union, rugby league, speedway, greyhound racing, baseball, and American football.
The stadium’s highest official attendance is 82,905, for a league match between Chelsea and Arsenal on 12 October 1935.
5. Rodney Parade (1877)
Rodney Parade is a stadium in the city of Newport, South Wales, that is owned and operated by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
It is the home ground of the Dragons regional rugby union team. It is also the home ground of Newport County football club and is the second-oldest sports venue in the Football League.
The stadium capacity was reduced from rugby levels for football matches.
In 2021, the rugby union club Newport RFC, the former owners of Rodney Parade, relocated their home matches to Newport Stadium, agreeing with the WRU to play two home matches per season at Rodney Parade.
6. Deepdale (1878)
Deepdale first hosted a football match in 1878 and has since been home to Preston North End.
Moreso, it also serves as the home ground to the town’s cricket and rugby teams too.
Preston North End are one of the founding members of the Football League. They were the first-ever team to win the league and cup double.
Although Preston have not experienced too much glory since those early days, 1966 World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Nobby Stiles both managed the club during the 1970s.
7. Tannadice Park (1882)
Tannadice Park was previously known as Clepington Park and was used by a number of local teams in the 19th century.
The name of the ground was changed to Tannadice when Dundee Hibernian (now Dundee United) took over the ground in 1909.
The stadium has been all-seated since 1994 and has a capacity of 14,223.
It is located only 200 yards (183 metres) from city rivals Dundee FC’s stadium, Dens Park; the two are the closest top-level football stadiums in the UK.
8. Ewood Park (1882)
Ewood Park is the home of Blackburn Rovers, founding members of the Football League and the Premier League. They have played there since 1890.
Ewood Park is an all-seater multi-sports facility with a capacity of 31,367. It was formerly known as Ewood Bridge.
Ewood Park has hosted many important football matches, including several FA Cup semi-finals and the 2002 League Cup Final between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur.
9. Turf Moor (1883)
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Turf Moor is located in Burnley, Lancashire, England. It has been the home of Burnley FC since 1883.
Turf Moor is the second-longest continuously used ground in English professional football.
The ground has been used for sporting activities since at least 1843 when Burnley Cricket Club moved to the area.
In 1883, they invited Burnley FC to use a pitch adjacent to the cricket field. The first grandstand was not built until 1885, while terraces were also added to each end of the ground in the same year.
Between the mid-1950s and mid-1970s, all stands were rebuilt. Turf Moor underwent further refurbishment during the 1990s when the Longside and the Bee Hole End terraces were replaced by all-seater stands.
In 1886, Turf Moor became the first football ground to be visited by a member of the Royal Family when Prince Albert Victor attended a friendly match between Burnley and Bolton Wanderers.
The first Football League match at the ground took place in October 1888; Fred Poland scored the first league goal at the stadium.
The stadium’s record attendance was set in 1924 when 54,775 people attended an FA Cup third-round game between Burnley and Huddersfield Town.
10. Anfield (1884)
Anfield is a football stadium in Anfield, Liverpool, Merseyside, England.
It has a seating capacity of 53,394, making it the 7th largest football stadium in England.
It has been the home of Liverpool FC since their formation in 1892. It was originally the home of Everton from 1884 to 1891 before they moved to Goodison Park after a dispute with the club president.
The record attendance at Anfield is 61,905, set at a match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1952.
Furthermore, the ground was converted to an all-seater stadium in 1994.
Which is the oldest soccer stadium in the United States of America?
The oldest soccer-specific stadium in America is believed to be “Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Stadium” (formerly known as “Bethlehem Steel FC Soccer Stadium” and “Lehigh University Soccer Field”) located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The stadium was built in 1913 and hosted the first U.S. Open Cup final in 1914.
It is still in use today and is home to Bethlehem Steel FC, a professional soccer team in the USL Championship league.
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