Wembley Stadium (2007)
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| Wembley Stadium (2007) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Wembley Stadium |
| Caption | Exterior view, 2007 |
| Location | Wembley, London, England |
| Coordinates | 51.5560°N 0.2796°W |
| Broke ground | 2002 |
| Opened | 2007 |
| Owner | The Football Association |
| Operator | Wembley National Stadium Limited |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
| Architect | Foster and Partners, Populous |
| Structural engineer | Mott MacDonald |
| Capacity | 90,000 |
Wembley Stadium (2007) is the rebuilt national stadium in Wembley, London, which replaced the original 1923 Empire Stadium. The stadium serves as the home of England national football team fixtures, the venue for the FA Cup Final, and a major multipurpose arena for association football, concerts, and international rugby union. It is noted for its iconic 133-metre arch and large capacity, hosting events that include UEFA Euro 2020 matches, 2012 Summer Olympics ceremonies and tournament fixtures, and high-profile concerts by artists such as Madonna, U2, and The Rolling Stones.
History
The decision to replace the 1923 Empire Stadium emerged amid debates involving The Football Association, English Heritage, and Brent London Borough Council about preservation versus modernisation. Funding and procurement attracted interest from firms including GRA and consortium bidders linked to Interpublic Group and HSBC. Legal and planning processes invoked statutory discussions with Mayor of London offices and sites near Stonebridge Park. The demolition of the old stadium and the delivery of the new project were shaped by earlier events such as the Euro 1996 legacy discussions and the successful staging of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea that influenced stadium standards.
Design and Architecture
Design work was led by Foster and Partners alongside Populous, with engineering by Mott MacDonald and Buro Happold. The 133-metre steel arch, conceived as both structural support and an identifying landmark, references elements from Seattle Space Needle scale engineering and echoes proportions in Stadium of Light design studies. Materials and facade treatments drew on precedent projects including Millennium Dome, Allianz Arena, and Madison Square Garden. Sightlines and acoustics were optimised following research into venues like Camp Nou and Old Trafford, while pitch technology adopted principles demonstrated at Anfield and Villa Park.
Construction and Opening
Construction began after contracts were awarded to main contractors including Taylor Woodrow and later Laing O'Rourke involvement during phased delivery. Project milestones mirrored complex programmes such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and required coordination with Network Rail for adjacent works. Cost escalations and scheduling issues prompted reviews by the National Audit Office and parliamentary committees including members from House of Commons Select Committees. The stadium officially opened in 2007 with capacity for 90,000 spectators and inaugural fixtures that connected to fixtures involving Manchester United F.C. and ceremonial roles with figures like Prince William and representatives from The Football Association.
Facilities and Capacity
Wembley offers a seating capacity of around 90,000 with corporate hospitality spaces utilised by organisations such as BBC Sport, Sky Sports, BT Sport, and international broadcasters including ESPN. Private boxes accommodate clients including HSBC, Nike, and Adidas. Media facilities were benchmarked against standards at Wimbledon and the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, with press rooms, mixed zones, and broadcast compounds for entities like ITV and Channel 4. The pitch uses Desso GrassMaster hybrid turf technology similar to installations at Wembley Arena-proximate venues and practices employed at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Major Events and Uses
Wembley hosted high-profile football matches including UEFA Champions League finals aspirations, FA Cup Final matches, and England national football team qualifiers. The stadium served as a venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics football tournament and hosted concerts by global artists including Madonna, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and The Rolling Stones. It staged rugby fixtures such as Six Nations Championship matches involving England national rugby union team and boxing events featuring promoters like Top Rank and Matchroom Sport. Charity matches and cultural events tied to organisations like BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief have also been held there.
Transportation and Access
Access planning required integration with transport operators including Transport for London, London Underground, and Network Rail. Key stations serving the stadium include Wembley Park tube station, Wembley Central station, and Wembley Stadium station with services by London Underground Jubilee and Metropolitan lines and London Overground. Event-day crowd management referenced successful operations at St Pancras railway station and coordination with British Transport Police and Metropolitan Police Service. Road access uses the A406 (North Circular Road) and connections to the M1 motorway and M25 motorway orbital routes, with park-and-ride schemes modelled on Eurostar arrival strategies.
Reception and Legacy
Critical responses compared the stadium to contemporaries like Allianz Arena, Bird's Nest, and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, praising the arch and capacity while noting cost controversies highlighted by the National Audit Office and media outlets including The Guardian and BBC News. The venue has influenced subsequent stadium projects such as Etihad Stadium redevelopment, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and stadia used in UEFA Euro 2020. Its legacy includes sustained use for national team fixtures, cultural programming, and a prominent role in London's event infrastructure under stewardship of Wembley National Stadium Limited.
Category:Football stadiums in London Category:Sports venues completed in 2007