Visiting Wembley Stadium
As the second largest stadium in Europe, Wembley Stadium is a pillar of English soccer, located in the Wembley neighborhood of London. Rebuilt on the same site between 2004 and 2007, this legendary United Kingdom venue boasts a total capacity of 90,000 spectators. It serves as the primary home field for the England national soccer team, hosts the finals for major English soccer competitions, and stages rugby league tournaments. In 2012, it played a central role in the Olympic Games. Architecturally, the stadium is defined by its monumental 133-meter arch.
The history of the original Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium was first constructed in 1923 for the British Empire Exhibition. Originally, the site was intended to host one of the world's tallest steel structures, Watkin's Tower, which was designed to rival the famous Eiffel Tower in France. Because that late 19th-century project never reached completion, it was eventually abandoned, and the land was turned over to the builders of what would become London's premier soccer stadium.
The most renowned English stadium
Wembley Stadium has hosted numerous cultural and political events throughout its history. Beyond soccer matches, it was once a major venue for greyhound racing and held several prestigious boxing matches, along with events during the 1948 Olympic Games.
On the cultural front, the first rock concert was held here in 1969. In 1985, the international Live Aid concert, organized to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people inside the venue. In 1982, Pope John Paul II held one of his most famous masses here. In 1990, Nelson Mandela delivered his first public speech after his release from prison at this location.
The site is now famous for hosting massive pop and rock concerts for global music stars, including Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, and bands like Muse and Oasis.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Huge London stadium where you can see concerts or matches for the England national football team.
Recognizable by the arch that goes over the top (which doesn't serve much of a purpose from my point of view), it is immense, but the sound system is actually quite good for a concert. You can easily recognize the instruments and the artists' vocals, really great atmosphere. The light shows can also join in the fun, and it becomes a real sound and light show.
I was invited to attend a Taylor Swift concert, and without being a fan of the artist, I loved the experience.