England is a nation steeped in football heritage, and its stadiums reflect that deep connection to the beautiful game.
From iconic venues in the capital to beloved grounds in regional cities, every corner of the country has its own cathedral of sport.
Here’s a tour of the largest stadium in each English region.
London – Wembley Stadium
Starting in the capital, London is home to Wembley Stadium, the crown jewel of English football.
With a capacity of 90,000, it’s the largest stadium in the country and the second-largest in Europe.
Reopened in 2007 after a major rebuild, Wembley is the home of the England national team and the site of major finals, including the FA Cup.
North West – Old Trafford
Heading north to the North West, Old Trafford stands proudly as the largest club stadium in England.
It has been Manchester United’s home since 1910 and currently holds over 74,000 fans.
Known affectionately as “The Theatre of Dreams”, it has witnessed the rise of some of football’s greatest legends and remains one of the most famous stadiums in the sport.
North East – St James’ Park
In the North East, St James’ Park in Newcastle stands as the region’s largest stadium, with a capacity of over 52,000.
Sitting proudly in the heart of the city, it has been the home of Newcastle United for over a century.
Yorkshire and the Humber – Elland Road
Heading over to Yorkshire and the Humber, Elland Road flies the flag for Leeds United and the region as a whole.
With a capacity just shy of 38,000, it’s one of the most iconic grounds in the north of England. It opened in 1919.
East Midlands – Pride Park
The East Midlands is represented by Pride Park Stadium in Derby, home to Derby County.
It holds just under 34,000 spectators and opened in 1997 as one of the UK’s first modern all-seater stadiums built following the Taylor Report.
West Midlands – Villa Park
Over in the West Midlands, Villa Park is the region’s largest stadium and the 10th biggest in the country.
Aston Villa’s historic home since 1897, it currently accommodates more than 42,000 fans.
It has hosted World Cup matches and holds the record for hosting the most FA Cup semi-finals, with 55.
East of England – Portman Road
In the East of England, Portman Road in Ipswich holds the title of the region’s largest stadium, with a capacity of around 30,000.
It has been the proud home of Ipswich Town Football Club since 1884, making it one of the oldest professional football stadiums still in use today.
South East – St Mary’s
In the South East, St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton is the largest football ground, boasting a capacity of just over 32,000.
Opened in 2001, it replaced the historic Dell, which had been Southampton’s home for over a century.
South West – Ashton Gate
In the South West, Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol stands as the region’s largest, with a current capacity of around 27,000.
Originally opened in the late 19th century, it has been home to Bristol City since 1904. Over the years, it has undergone several redevelopments, with the most significant transformation coming between 2014 and 2016.
