13 Stadiums Ranked from Smallest to Largest
London isn’t just a city where football is played – it’s a living, breathing cathedral of the sport. No other city in the world hosts so many professional football stadiums, each with its own character, history, and passionate fanbase.
Here’s the ultimate list of London stadiums with a capacity of over 9,000 seats, ranked from the smallest to the largest. For each, we’ll explore its architectural features, capacity, home team, and a fascinating fact every football fan should know.
13. Brisbane Road
- Capacity: ~9,271 seats
- Club: Leyton Orient FC
- Architectural Feature: Compact design with four distinct stands, bringing fans incredibly close to the pitch.
- Interesting Fact: Some nearby apartment blocks have balconies overlooking the pitch – residents can watch matches for free.
12. Plough Lane
- Capacity: ~9,300 seats
- Club: AFC Wimbledon
- Architectural Feature: Modern and efficient design with steep stands that create an intense atmosphere.
- Interesting Fact: Marked AFC Wimbledon’s emotional return to a home ground in their own borough after more than 20 years.
11. Loftus Road
- Capacity: ~18,439 seats
- Club: Queens Park Rangers (QPR)
- Architectural Feature: One of the most compact stadiums in England’s professional leagues, with stands right on top of the pitch.
- Interesting Fact: Loftus Road has also hosted rugby and international football matches.
10. The Den
- Capacity: ~20,146 seats
- Club: Millwall FC
- Architectural Feature: Simple and functional 1990s design, famous for its acoustics.
- Interesting Fact: Millwall fans are known for their intense passion – and sometimes infamous reputation.
9. The Valley
- Capacity: ~27,111 seats
- Club: Charlton Athletic FC
- Architectural Feature: A large main stand and a pitch set into a natural hollow, creating an “amphitheatre” feel.
- Interesting Fact: Nearly abandoned in the 1980s, it was saved and rebuilt thanks to the dedication of Charlton fans.
8. Craven Cottage
- Capacity: ~25,700 seats
- Club: Fulham FC
- Architectural Feature: A charming blend of historic Victorian architecture and modern renovation.
- Interesting Fact: Located right on the banks of the River Thames, offering one of the most unique settings in football.
7. Selhurst Park
- Capacity: ~25,486 seats
- Club: Crystal Palace FC
- Architectural Feature: Traditional four-stand layout with a classic English ground feel.
- Interesting Fact: Has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV series.
6. Brentford Community Stadium
- Capacity: ~17,250 seats
- Club: Brentford FC
- Architectural Feature: Unique triangular design to fit into a tight urban space, with modern facilities throughout.
- Interesting Fact: Opened in 2020, making it one of London’s newest football stadiums.
5. Stamford Bridge
- Capacity: ~40,341 seats
- Club: Chelsea FC
- Architectural Feature: A mix of renovated and older stands in a prime central London location.
- Interesting Fact: Originally designed for athletics rather than football when it opened in 1877.
4. London Stadium
- Capacity: ~62,500 seats
- Club: West Ham United FC
- Architectural Feature: Vast oval shape with a distinctive, lightweight roof structure.
- Interesting Fact: Built for the 2012 London Olympics, it has since hosted athletics, concerts, and even Major League Baseball games.
3. Emirates Stadium
- Capacity: ~60,704 seats
- Club: Arsenal FC
- Architectural Feature: Sleek elliptical design with glass façades and wide concourses.
- Interesting Fact: Opened in 2006, marking the end of Arsenal’s long era at the iconic Highbury.
2. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Capacity: ~62,850 seats
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Architectural Feature: One of the most advanced stadiums in the world, with a retractable pitch for NFL games.
- Interesting Fact: Home to Europe’s longest bar – a 65-metre beer tap inside the stadium.
1. Wembley Stadium
- Capacity: ~90,000 seats
- Club: England National Football Team (primary tenant)
- Architectural Feature: Iconic arch rising 133 metres above the stadium, visible across London.
- Interesting Fact: The largest stadium in the UK and second-largest in Europe, it hosts major finals, concerts, and even the Olympics.
Whether you’re a football tourist or a lifelong Londoner, visiting these stadiums offers a deep dive into the capital’s sporting soul.
For more about Stadiums from around the world visit sportsrender.com
