Visiting Celtic Park
Located in Glasgow, Scotland, Celtic Park serves as the home stadium for the Celtic Football Club, one of the most prominent teams in the United Kingdom. Deeply woven into the local social fabric, the Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 by Brother Walfrid of Saint Mary's Church to alleviate poverty among the Irish immigrant community in Glasgow. The stadium was built in 1892 and quickly earned the nickname Paradise among players and supporters.
History of Celtic Park
Designed by Archibald Leitch, Celtic Park stands as the largest football stadium in Scotland today. While the ground now holds 60,857 spectators, capacity was not always strictly managed. The stadium set its all-time attendance record on January 1, 1938, when nearly 90,000 fans packed in for a match between the Celtics and their historic rivals, the Rangers. Due to safety regulations following the 1975 Safety of Sports Grounds Act, the capacity was gradually reduced. The stadium underwent a complete renovation between 1996 and 2002.
You can get a behind-the-scenes look at Celtic Park through guided tours. These allow you to explore the history of the legendary Celtics while visiting the trophy room, locker rooms, stands, and the pitch itself.
The Old Firm: Historic Rivalries
Matches known as the Old Firm are the fierce contests between the Celtics and Glasgow rivals, the Rangers. The tension between the two clubs historically transcends sports, representing a divide between the Irish-Catholic community that supports the Celtics and the native Scottish population, historically Protestant, that identifies with the Rangers.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
The tour is worth it (even if soccer isn't your cup of tea). You can feel a special vibe, even just visiting, you can really sense the passion of the supporters. My advice: arrive early to enjoy the stadium and the shop. And take the time to do the guided tour, it's really worth it and makes the experience even more memorable.