The top 20 stadiums in Britain have been assessed using a range of criteria.
Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge are not among the top ten.
Anfield and Ibrox are among the top-ranked stadia in the UK, thanks in part to their electrifying atmospheres.
Where a team plays football can have a significant impact on how they perform on the pitch. Some atmospheres may terrify the opposition into loss and submission, while others may be so large that, even with noisy supporters, players may be eaten up by the pressure to win.
There are various magnificent stadia in the UK, ranging from current greats to historical relics that have left an imprint on football history. We’ve decided to list the best 20 stadiums in the British Isles based on a number of critical characteristics to ensure accuracy.
Ranking Factors History
Longevity
Factors to consider include the atmosphere, capacity, design, construction, and location.
20 Best Football Stadiums in Britain (Ranked)
Rank
Stadium
Home Team
1.
Celtic Park
Celtic
2.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham
3.
Anfield
Liverpool
4.
Ibrox
Rangers
5.
Millennium Stadium
Wales National Team
6.
London Stadium
West Ham
7.
St. James’ Park
Newcastle
8.
Emirates Stadium
Arsenal
9.
Goodison Park
Everton
10.
Elland Road
Leeds United
11.
Old Trafford
Manchester United
12.
Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday
13.
Hampden Park
Scots National Team
14.
Wembley Stadium
England’s National Team
15.
Villa Park
Aston Villa
16.
Etihad Stadium
Manchester City
17.
Craven Cottage
Fulham
18.
Stamford Bridge
Chelsea
19.
King Power Stadium
Leicester City
20.
Murrayfield
N/A
20-16
Murrayfield, King Power Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Craven Cottage, Etihad Stadium
While technically more usually used as a Rugby Union venue, it seems wrong not to include Scotland’s largest stadium at all, therefore Murrayfield stands at the bottom of the list. If it hadn’t been for Leny Yoro’s Manchester United debut, the 67,000-seater would have easily surpassed the King Power Stadium and Stamford Bridge, which are home to Leicester City and Chelsea, respectively.
Fulham’s Craven Cottage is one of the more unusual stadiums in English football. Located on the banks of the River Thames, it also offers the most costly Premier League season tickets. They follow Manchester City and the Etihad Stadium, which, despite jokes about the Premier League champions’ inability to fill the stands, is a venue worthy of one of the country’s best teams, given its exceptional upkeep and function as a focal point for the area.
15-11
Villa Park, Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park, Hillsborough, Old Trafford
Villa Park has seen some fantastic nights throughout the years, with a recent Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich being one of the highlights. Aston Villa’s home has become synonymous with the club’s identity and nevertheless exudes an air of old-school elegance, contributing to its mystique in the modern era. Meanwhile, Wembley Stadium, the home of English football, appears to have lost some of its renowned status since the new stadium opened in 2007. Frequent complaints about the pitch surface and a stale atmosphere in the singing section have undoubtedly harmed its image.
Hampden Park, on the other hand, provides one of the most memorable matchday experiences in the region. Whether it’s a Scottish Cup final or Steve Clarke bringing out the Tartan Army, a visit to the Glasgow stadium is sure to be memorable.
The bottom half of the list is rounded off by two historically notable stadiums, both associated with football disasters. While Hillsborough may no longer be on par with cutting-edge stadiums, the events of 1989 and their impact on English football and politics in the aftermath of the disaster warrant attention. The same is true for Old Trafford, which has remained one of the world’s most iconic arenas despite years of neglect and ruin caused by the Glazer family’s mismanagement. The Theatre of Dreams was once a beacon of hope for Manchester United after the Munich Air Disaster, but it has now become football’s no-man’s land.
10-6
Elland Road, Goodison Park, Emirates Stadium, St James’ Park, London Stadium
There are few sites in England that can match the furnace that is Elland Road. Leeds United’s brief return to the Premier League at the start of the 2020s provided one of the game’s most passionate and visceral fan bases with the opportunity to be heard at the highest level once more, right where they belong. However, they have been surpassed by Goodison Park, which will shortly be demolished as Everton relocates to their new stadium during the 2025/2026 season.
Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates in 2006 sparked controversy, with suggestions that the money spent on the new stadium hampered Arsene Wenger’s ability to compete in the transfer market, harming on-field results.
Newcastle’s love of football and anything black and white means that St James’ Park, the northernmost stadium in English football, is ranked seventh. Through thick and poor, the Magpies have always been able to count on their fans to visit St James’ Park, a scary proposition for any opponent. Similarly, West Ham’s London Stadium combines modern design with a nostalgic homage to Upton Park, where the spirit of the old stadium can still be felt by the fans.
5-1 at Millennium Stadium, Ibrox, Anfield, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Celtic Park.
The top five on this list could easily be arranged in any order without much disagreement. The Millennium Stadium in Wales notably hosted the English Cup finals while Wembley Stadium was being rebuilt, and it remains one of the most stunning arenas to this day.
Stadiums such as Ibrox and Anfield will always be remembered for what transpired on the pitch. But in the stands, few singing sections can send shivers down your spine like these two. In terms of pure atmosphere, they outperform Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, the sheer brilliance of Daniel Levy’s construction has established the benchmark for modern stadiums, hosting a variety of different sporting events.
That leaves Celtic Park as the primary contender for the title. When all ranking parameters are considered, Celtic Park outperforms in every category. History, longevity, atmosphere—you name it. It is the apex of football stadiums in the British Isles.
