London Stadium's/Arena's Under Construction, Approved and Proposed
The List
1 - Wembley Stadium - Football - 90,000
2 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 82,000
3 - Olympic Stadium - Athletics - 80,000
4 - Emirates Stadium - Football - 60,000
5 - New Stamford Bridge - Football - 60,000
6 - Millennium Dome Arena - Multi-use - 26,000
7 - The Oval - Cricket - 23,000
8 - Croydon Gateway Arena - Multi-use - 12,500
London Borough Map showing the Stadium's/Arena's General Location
London Rail Map showing the Stadium's/Arena's General Location
Current Stadium's/Arena's allready built in London above 10,000+
1 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 75,000
2 - Stamford Bridge - Football - 42,449
3 - Highbury - Football - 38,500
4 - White Hart Lane - Football - 36,214
5 - Boleyn Ground - Foobtall - 35,056
6 - Lord's - Cricket - 28,000
7 - The Valley - Football - 26,500
8 - Selhurst Park - Football - 26,309
9 - Craven Cottage - Football - 22,000
10 - The New Den - Football - 20,146
11 - Loftus Road - Football - 19,148
12 - The Oval - Cricket - 18,500
13 - Crystal Palace - Athletics - 15,500
14 - Matchroom Stadium - Football - 13,842
15 - Centre Court - Tennis - 13,810
16 - Griffin Park - Football/Rugby - 12,763
17 - Stoop Memorial Ground - 12,500
18 - No 1 Court - Tennis - 11,429
19 - London Arena - Ice Hockey - 10,000
Combined list of built, expanded, closed, u/c, approved and proposed Stadium's and Arena's in London above 10,000+
1 - Wembley Stadium - Football - 90,000
2 - Twickenham Stadium - Rugby - 82,000
3 - Olympic Stadium - Athletics - 80,000
4 - Emirates Stadium - Football - 60,000
5 - New Stamford Bridge - Football - 60,000
6 - White Hart Lane - Football - 36,214
7 - Boleyn Ground - Foobtall - 35,056
8 - Lord's - Cricket - 28,000
9 - The Valley - Football - 26,500
10 - Selhurst Park - Football - 26,309
11 - Millennium Dome Arena - Multi-use - 26,000
12 - The Oval - Cricket - 23,000
13 - Craven Cottage - Football - 22,000
14 - The New Den - Football - 20,146
15 - Loftus Road - Football - 19,148
19 - Crystal Palace - Athletics - 15,500
17 - Matchroom Stadium - Football - 13,842
18 - Centre Court - Tennis - 13,810
19 - Griffin Park - Football/Rugby - 12,763
20 - Croydon Gateway Arena - Multi-use - 12,500
21 - Stoop Memorial Ground - 12,500
22 - No 1 Court - Tennis - 11,429
23 - London Arena - Ice Hockey - 10,000
1 - Wembley Football Stadium
Capacity: 90,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Under Construction
Completion Date: Spring 2006
Possibly the world's most famous stadium, Wembley has been totally rebuilt for the next century. The new incarnation claims to be the largest football stadium, not due to its capacity of seats, but because of its immense size. For example, each seat at the new Wembley will have a space of
1.92m2, compared to
0.88m2 in the Stade de France in Paris (where the 2012 Olympics would be held) and
1.25m2 at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia (where the 2000 Olympic Games were held). Infact each seat in the new stadium will have more space than the Royal Box seats of the old Wembley.
The original stadium opened in 1923 for the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. At the time the name was originally the Empire Stadium and had a maximum capacity of 100,000. However on the day around an expected 250,000 turned up and crammed into the stadium. Even more amazing was the fact that the game actually took place!
The stadium in its distinguished career, has hosted the 1966 World Cup, three European Cup Finals and in 1996 the European Football Championship Final. It had also held the Athletics of the 1948 Summer Olympics. It has also served as a music venue and has become notable through such immense concerts such as Live Aid of 1985, Queen's immense 1986 concert, the 1986 Freddie Mercury Tribute and 1988 Nelson Mandela Tribute concert.
The new stadium will be able to hold both football, rugby, athletics meetings and music events. The new Wembley Stadium was originally going to be the main stadium for the 2012 Olympic Games, if London wins the bidding process. However even though the system that will allow for athletics meetings is identical to that of what the New York 2012 West Side stadium proposals suggests, the various sporting authorities deemed it appropiate that football should be its main priority if London as to host the 2012 Olympic Games (Stratford would be the site for another stadium of 80,000 capacity).
The most noticable aspect of the stadium is the massive arch which is 133m tall, and visible from most of London. It is 315m and is classified as being the longest single roof structure in the world. At night, hundreds of lights will illuminate the arch ensuring that it is engrained in the nightscape of London. It also has a structural usage, as it holds 60% of the southern roof and 100% of the northern roof and means that no pillars are required in the stadium which would obstruct views. it weighs in at 1,7550 tonnes and is wide enough for a Channel Tunnel train to run its course 'through' the pipe and the London Eye could fit underneath the arch.
The design of the stadium roofing is done to the degree where it allows as much sunlight to enter the stadium, but to ensure that shadows are not cast over the pitch which is bad for TV coverage. The size of the roof is 11 acres, with 4 acres being movable - all spectators in the stadium are covered.
To ensure that the atmosphere of the old Wembley has been replicated into the new Wembley, digital recordings were taken during the England Vs Poland game. This has meant that if you were a spectator in the old Wembley, the same sound would be made and heard in the new Wembley - something which is revolutionary for stadium design.
The circumference of the stadium is 1km and the height to the heighest seat is 52m (the arch going up to 133m). The stadium will also be home to 2,000+ toilets which is believed to be the most of any stadium on the planet. 40 escalators totally 400m in length will enable fans to distribute around the stadium in far greater times. It will also be the world's first and only stadium to have an aircraft warning beacon. The total cost of the stadium is £757mn (US$1,455mn)
Pelé once said that:
"Wembley is the church of football. It is the capital of football and it is the heart of football"
The era continues!
Latest images from last month
Web Cam Pictures Today
The Design
Picture taken last year showing the stadium on the London skyline
Wembley Stadium is served by three stations: Wembley Park, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central. All three are being modernised and rapidly expanded to cope with the added pressures for greater fluidity of supporters too and from the station
Wembley Stadium Station
Wembley Park Station
Wembley Central Station
Also connected with the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, is the redevelopment of the area surrounding 58.5acres
2 - Twickenham Stadium
Capacity: 82,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Under Construction
Completion Date: Spring 2006
Regarded as the international home of Rugby, Twickenham is a stadium soaked in legacy since its creation. The stadium has existed on the site since the first game was played back on October 2, 1909 between Harlequins V Richmond. The first international game was held on January 15, 1910 between England V Wales. Nicknames for the stadium include: Cabbage Patch and HQ. The current capacity of the stadium is 75,000 but, permission to expand was granted in October last year and construction work has already begun. Once the 6 Nations Tournament has finished (last game being England vs Scotland on March 19th), main construction work will take over and after June, the entire South Stand will be torn down, which itself has only existed in its current form for 24 years.
Twickenham has also taken on Wembley's role of holding large scale concerts while it is undergoing redevelopment, with the likes of Rolling Stones in the past and will hold U2's premier concert during the Summer.
Replacing the old South Stand will be the New South Stand which will allow the stadium to increase in capacity to 82,000 and allow for the stadium to be a 'complete' stadium (currently the West, North and East Stands are practically identical in look and capacity). Incorporated into the stand will be a brand new 400 seater arts centre for the local residents, a 200 bed 4-star hotel, conference centre, banqueting hall, health and fitness club and a new RFU store. New flats will be built to accomodate the loss of several homes due to the re-construction of the South Stand and the capacity will be limited to only 65,000 during construction. Ward McHugh & Associates are the architects beind the South Stand. Cost for the new South Stand is set at around £80mn (US$153.8mn)
The Site
The stand that is being redeveloped is the South Stand shown in the background of this picture
Aerials of the current stadium
The Design
3 - London 2012 Olympic Stadium
Capacity: 80,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Proposed
Completion Date: Unknown
The date where a decision is to be made as to who will host the 2012 Olympics is just around the corner. Currently Paris is seen as the leader with London followed close behind. Unlike Paris's bid, London's Olympic Stadium would be brand new and built on what is currently a wasteland which within the next few years will become another focus for London with numerous 150m+ towers for the immediate area. With the completition of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Crossrail and the various DLR extensions, Stratford and the Olympic Stadium will probably be one of the most connected stadiums on the planet. Paris would ironically be only 2hrs from the Olympics Stadium if it is built thanks to CTRL which will complete in 2008.
The Design
The site in 2004
The large 'concrete submerged box' is the 1km long Stratford International station, where the 400m long Eurostar 186mph (300kph) passenger trains will stop - the Olympic Stadium would be next door to what is going to be one of the largest regeneration projects in London and will create Europe's largest new urban park for 150 years. The park will be 500 acres, for comparison - Central Park, New York is 843 acres and Hyde Park + Kensington Gardens, London is 905 acres.
4 - Emirates Stadium (Ashburton Grove)
Capacity: 60,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Under Construction
Completion Date: August 2006
Arsenal have outgrown their ancient art-deco 38,500 stadium at Highbury and are moving westwards to their new 60,000 stadium next year. The club has been around since October 1886 and originally started south of the River Thames in Plumstead. Its "first" name was Dial Square FC and eventually the workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory progressed into a more professional squad over the years.
The height of the stadium is 41.9m, is situated on a 17 acres site sandwiched between numerous tube, regional and commuter rail lines. 100 flights of stairs, 13 elevators and 5 escalators will ensure that spectators are moved safely and efficiently throughout the stadiums 4 tiers. There will also be space for 250 wheelchair users and 150 executive boxes capable of serving around 2,000 patrons. 900 WC's, 113 disabled toilets and 370m of urinals will help spectators relieve themselves.
The name of the stadium through planning was termed as Ashburton Grove (due to the area) and has evolved into the Emirates Stadium after a deal was signed with Emirates the UAE based airline group for £100mn (US$192mn) for naming rights to the name of the stadium for 15 years and shirt sponsorship for 8 years (after falling out with Roman Abromovich's Chelsea eaelier last year). The cost of the stadium is £357mn (US$686mn).
June 2004 picture
November 2004 pictures
Latest images from last month
Webcam Link:
http://www.arsenal.com/images/launch_webcam_button.gif
The Design
Conversion of Highbury
When Arsenal move out of Highbury (their current home), the listed art-deco stadium will be converted into apartments
Arsenal will also be redeveloping some of the adjacent land to their relatively close Lough Road training ground (under the big silver roof)
5 - New Stamford Bridge
Capacity: 60,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Feasability
Completion Date: Unknown
Another 60,000+ capacity stadium for London, this time in West London. Russian billionaire Roman Abromovich who is according to Forbes Richest List, ranked 25th in the world brought Chelsea football club in July 2003. He has used his immense wealth to wipe out all debt, brought in new players and, manager, coaching staff and back-office staff and this has meant that Chelsea are now leaders in the Premiership ahead of the likes of London rivals Arsenal and giants Manchester United.
Currently their stadium is Stamford Bridge and has a capacity of 42,449, and there are rumours that Abromovich is keen to expand the stadium to cater for the new era that the team is currently going through (each game is easily a sell-out), that expansion of the current stadium is inevitable. 60,000 is a figure that I have heard, but I wouldn't be suprised if Roman goes for a stadium figure which is higher.
Look of the current stadium
6 - Millennium Dome Arena
Capacity: 26,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Approved
Completion Date: 2010
Part of a massive regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, the Millennium Dome Arena will be situated under the world's largest fabric structure: the Millennium Dome. Once finished, it will be the largest indoor arena in Europe. It is expected that the new arena will be the flagship project for regeneration of the area which will hold 150 events a year and become a new high density living space. The accessibility to the site is increased by the immense North Greenwich tube station which was one of the massive stations opened for the Jubilee Line Extension (as large as Canary Wharf tube station). This arena would be used for gymnastics if London wins the bidding process for the 2012 Olympic Games. However, even if London does not win the bidding process, the arena will still be built. The cost to construct the arena within the Millennium Dome will be £135mn (US$259mn).
Current views of the Millennium Dome
The Design
7 - The Oval
Capacity: 23,000 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Under Construction
Completion Date: 31 May 2005
Home to Surrey Cricket Club, it is home to the last test match of the Summer (not to be confused with Lords which is another cricket ground in London which hosts most international cricket games, home to Middlesex Crusaders and has a capacity of 28,000). It has had a long distinguised history, and the ground has been played upon since 1845 (160 years ago). The first ever test match in England took place at the Oval in 1880 against Australia and has played host to various great visiting cricket countries such as South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and among many others. During WW2 it was used as a PoW camp. The stadium is split into two ends: the Vauxhall End and the Pavillion End. Currently the capacity 19,000 and this is expected to rise to 23,00 once the Vauxhall End is expanded and modernised. The expansion work has been on-going since 2 February 2004 and is due to be finished in the coming months.
Included in the expansion is the inclusion of various conference facilites, a new media centre, community centre, sports hall, 2 500 seat banqueting suites, as well as various new seating and executive boxes. The cost for the Vauxhall End redevelopment is £25mn (US$48mn).
Images from February 2005
Image from December 2004
Images from November 2004
The Design
8 - Croydon Gateway Arena
Capacity: 12,500 all-seated, all-covered
Status: Proposed
Completion Date: 2012
Croydon is a borough in South London which has been trying to redevelop a site with extraordinary potential. The site lines next door to East Croydon Station, a line that goes south to the 6th largest international airport in the world: London Gatwick and Brighton and north to London Bridge, Victoria and Charing Cross rail termini. The local government have been wishing for a stadium and various high density residential and office buildings on the site to regeneratet area and give a central focus and gateway for the London borough.
The 12,500 seater arena will be based upon what is regarded as the world's most advanced indoor arena in Hamburg, Germany. The centre is aimed at serving a broad range of uses including: Conferences, Ice Championships, Ballroom Dancing, Basketball, Equestrian/Show Jumping, BMX Biking, Martial Arts, Boxing, Ice Hockey, Car Launches, Ice Shows, Political Events, Skateboarding, Product Launches, Tennis, Theatre Productions, Musicals, Religious Festivals, Volleyball, Rock Concerts and Wrestling/WWF. 5,000 people will be able to seat simultaneously within restaurants in the arena. Consultation of the general public finished late last year and concrete plans will become apparent in the near future.
The Design
Overhead view of what the site will look like in the future
