It has often been remarked that the Championship features some of the most realistic stadiums and atmospheres in English and European football.
Despite obtaining considerably more global notoriety as a division, the second tier has maintained its uniqueness and heritage in terms of antagonism from home fans across all 24 stadiums.
However, numerous factors can influence whether a home crowd is able to fully intimidate the opposition players, as home form is frequently critical to determining any side’s overall fortunes across the gruelling 46-game season and, potentially, the post-season lottery and drama provided by the play-offs.
The Championship in 2025/26 has a distinct mix of club sizes and stadia, and certain teams have clearly benefited more than others.
With that said, Football League World asked AI-based chatbot ChatGPT to offer a 24-1 ranking of which venues are the most difficult for opposing teams to play in, beginning with the ‘easiest’.
24Oxford United – Kassam Stadium
According to AI, Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium is the least daunting venue in the Championship.
With a capacity of 12,500, it is the lowest in the division and only has three stands, which is a crucial reason in this decision, as is the low density of supporters across the stadium.
23Wrexham – Stok Cae Ras
Wrexham’s Stok Cae Ras, ranked 23rd, is a potentially controversial choice.
Despite the fact that attendances and, naturally, the atmosphere in North Wales have increased dramatically as a result of three consecutive promotions, AI believes that the stadium’s present capacity of about 13,341 will not terrify many experienced Championship campaigners.
22Charlton Athletic – The Valley
Another noteworthy choice from AI is that Charlton Athletic’s home ground, The Valley, is the third least hostile in the Championship.
Despite the fact that the Addicks have been mainly impressive in South London under Nathan Jones’ guidance, the computer feels that while the atmosphere can frequently start well, noise can fade as games pass, especially if the hosts aren’t in control or are behind.
21Queens Park Rangers – Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers, their London rivals, play at Loftus Road, which has a capacity of 18,360.
AI has lauded aspects of the stadium’s design that can contribute to a hostile atmosphere, such as fans being particularly close to the pitch. However, the limited capacity and mindset of Rangers supporters, depending on the outcome, outweighs this in a negative way.
20Watford – Vicarage Road
AI has ranked Watford’s Vicarage Road stadium as the fifth least scary.
The stadium, of course, has been modernized throughout time to reflect the Hornets’ recent success, which saw them join the Premier League.
However, the computer feels that this has had a negative impact on overall antagonism, which away supporters have reported noticing while visiting this section of Hertfordshire.
19Hull City – MKM Stadium
Next up is Hull City’s MKM Stadium.
The Tigers have seen it all since relocating to the stadium 23 years ago, with the atmosphere especially intense during their quick rise from League Two to the Premier League between 2003 and 2008.
However, AI feels that the overall ‘bowl’ design allows noise to escape, and that City supporters may not be able to maintain a high level of support for 90 minutes every week.
18Swansea City – Swansea.Com Stadium
AI has reached a similar conclusion about Swansea City’s aptly called Swansea.Com stadium.
The stadium has already hosted numerous memorable events, and it is especially loud during South Wales derbies versus Cardiff City. Despite this, some believe that even when the Swans win, the atmosphere is not the best in the division.
17Preston North End – Deepdale
The computer also believes that opponents are rarely bothered by the atmosphere created by Preston North End fans at Deepdale.
The Lilywhites’ home stadium is frequently recognized for its distinctive appearance. However, visiting teams are frequently supported by a huge crowd in the Sir Tom Finney stand, which can occasionally drown out home support.
16Birmingham City – St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park
On the 16th, AI controversially chose St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park of Birmingham City.
As Bluenoses sing in Keep Right On, they are “often partizan,” but AI feels this is only evident in huge games against teams like Aston Villa.
After being in disrepair, sell-out signs are now common in B9, despite the fact that the club will soon relocate to the 62,000-seater Powerhouse stadium.
15Blackburn Rovers – Ewood Park
Blackburn Rovers have one of the league’s larger venues, with Ewood Park seating up to 31,367 people.
However, in recent years, Rovers fans have been known to stay absent due to their club’s lack of ambition under The Venky’s, resulting in an extremely subdued atmosphere, whereas away teams can once again be supported in droves in the Darwen End.
14Bristol City – Ashton Gate
According to AI reasoning, Bristol City’s recently rebuilt Ashton Gate ranks 14th.
AI believes that the Robins still hold a decent position in this rating, especially given the atmospheres of night matches.
However, it says there is not enough data to suggest opposition sides fear visits to BS3 over some of the division’s other arenas.
13Derby County – Pride Park
Derby County’s home ground, Pride Park, ranks 13th.
AI argues that while the Rams consistently attract large crowds, this can frequently put pressure on their own team rather than intimidating the rival and its travelling supporters.
12Southampton – St. Mary’s
Many teams enjoyed visits to Southampton’s St. Mary’s in 2025 because to the club’s significant underperformance, and AI feels it is in the middle of this list.
As was the case at Pride Park, AI claims that the expectations that Saints supporters have in the Championship can instill anxiety in their own players, and that the whole atmosphere can vary depending on the occasion or early momentum of any given match.
11Coventry City – Coventry Building Society Arena
Coventry City’s home pitch, the Coventry Building Society Arena, ranks 11th.
Much has been said on social media about how the Sky Blues have been able to generate sell-out crowds in recent years, despite their difficult history. However, this has obviously improved the whole matchday experience.
Despite the fact that the club now owns the stadium, AI believes the atmosphere can be both hot and frigid.
10Middlesbrough – Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium has made the top ten list.
Middlesbrough fans have attempted to improve the atmosphere on Teesside in recent years through the ultras group, ‘Red Faction’.
However, AI believes there are nine more stadiums with a higher level of intimidation, despite the fact that fans can typically maintain a sustained level of noise for 90 minutes or longer, regardless of the competition.
9Stoke City – Bet365 Stadium
Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium ranks eighth.
Of course, it established a cliche during the Potters’ 10-year Premier League reign that opponents ‘couldn’t do it on a cold Wednesday night in Stoke’.
However, while AI believes that some of the intimidation has subsided, rival players may still face difficulties in road games against the North Staffordshire club, despite their well-documented recent stagnation.
8Sheffield United – Bramall Lane
Sheffield United fans have a history of being exceedingly nasty at Bramall Lane.
As a result, AI believes the traditional feel of all four quarters in S2 can be intimidating, which occasionally affects the performance of visiting players, however this was not the case prior to Chris Wilder’s reappointment in September 2025.
7Leicester City – King Power Stadium
Leicester City’s King Power Stadium falls just short of making the top six in this rating.
Given the East Midlands club’s recent history, which includes the well-publicized ‘5000-1’ Premier League title win in 2015/16, AI fears that their own players may be scared by the high expectations.
However, they can also work in favour of the Foxes, as evidenced by their second-tier title win in 2023/24 under Enzo Maresca.
6West Bromwich Albion – The Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion’s stadium, The Hawthorns, is ranked sixth.
Despite not being the largest of the 24 facilities, AI claims that the close proximity of all four stands to the pitch creates a ‘pressure cooker’ situation, which has seen some of English football’s top sides defeated in recent years.
5Norwich City – Carrow Road
Although Norwich City fans are not often aggressive, AI believes Carrow Road is the eighth most volatile Championship venue.
Given that Canaries fans have grown accustomed to a rollercoaster of emotions over the last 15 years or so, AI feels their supporters understand how to handle the home atmosphere, which can put them ahead of the opposition.
Ironically, this was not the case prior to Philippe Clement taking over as head coach from Liam Manning.
4Ipswich Town – Portman Road
Norfolk residents will be dissatisfied because Portman Road in Ipswich Town is thought to create a more intimidating atmosphere for visitors to Suffolk.
AI notes that the Tractor Boys following has been’revived’ in recent years, as proven by their back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League between 2022 and 2024.
3Portsmouth – Fratton Park
Fratton Park, Portsmouth’s famous and traditional stadium, comes in third position.
AC Milan, Barcelona, and Brazilian icon Ronaldinho notably complimented Pompey fans for creating a hostile atmosphere after a 2-2 draw with the Italian giants in a UEFA Cup fixture in 2008.
Despite the South Coast club’s turbulent recent history, such hostility for opposing players has not subsided.
2Sheffield Wednesday – Hillsborough
Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday’s historic ground, is ranked second on this list.
Given its 39,859 capacity, the largest in the Championship, it is no surprise that AI claims that when momentum is on the Owls’ side, it is one of the most difficult locations for opponents to play in the EFL.
Wednesday fans will be hoping for a similar buzz next year, as the team prepares to return to League One following an 18-point deduction.
1Millwall – The Den
AI has identified The Den, home of Millwall, as the most hostile environment for opposing players.The brief summary of this selection was “no contest,” echoing the reputation that has enveloped large segments of the Lions’ fanbase for many years.
Even though the South London club has yet to reach the second-tier play-offs, it is widely known that if an away side gains three points from SE16, it can go a long way in terms of their season.
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