Andrew Suffield

Review of Wembley Stadium

Wembley, the home of English football. So very dif...

Wembley, the home of English football. So very different to the original ever famous Two Towers, that used to occupy this site.
This newer modern stadium is just as fantastic in its own way, but as an older guy, will never quite hold a place in my heart. Well, that was until Sunday 31st March 2019.

As a stadium, it is very much like many of those that are home to the biggest clubs. Certainly those across Europe. It is fast becoming a standardised size and shape to those big guns, who have recently, or are having new stadiums constructed.
With the fast pace of ever smarter and technologically advanced improvements in the tech and construction industries, Wembley is no longer quite the state of the art masterpiece they possibly envisaged it would be. That said, it all really depends on the event it is holding and certainly, the people that pack the stands.


The stadium sits surrounded by plenty of food outlets, bars and other retail units and has local bars, pubs and restaurants within walking, or wheeling, distance. But obviously give plenty of time to get into the ground once the main throng of fans or concert goers start to descend on the place.
There are plenty of merchandise vendors dotted around the stadium and prices are fairly reasonable.
Unfortunately I can not tell you what kind of prices you would pay for food and drink, either around the stadium or once inside, as I don't drink and take my own soft drinks with me.
It is a must, that you check the website or your tickets or contact the stadium before your visit, as rules on bags, drinks, etc, can change, dependant on the event you are going to. All bags are subject to search and there is a huge list of items you can't take in. Wembley will make certain exceptions and allowances for medical needs or requirements, but you must contact Wembley first and obtain an Exemption Certificate. That process is very easy, via Wembley's Disabled Services department.

The one huge warning I will give, is that at the end of your visit, be prepared for long queues to get away from the ground. I have only ever driven there, due to being disabled and can not comment too much on the public transport, other than what friends and others say. However, from the pictures I have seen, prepare for big crowds on the train platforms.
If you are driving, learn to be patient. Getting that many vehicles out is a logistical headache. If you drive, visit the toilet before leaving and take a drink. It can take up to an hour to get out.

Wembley hosts numerous different events, mainly sports and music concerts.

Predominantly designed as a football stadium, the one with the round ball that you kick with your feet, for our American cousins, it has held some of the biggest games in the football world. With a capacity of 90 thousand seated patrons, it is huge. However, you simply do not get the true feel, until you see it packed to the rafters and you do not get to appreciate the true atmosphere, unless you have it packed solid with real fans instead of masses of corporate suits, just there for the prawn sandwiches.
My last visit was on 31st March 2019, at the record breaking Checkatrade Cup Final. 85'000 true supporters crammed into the stands. Portsmouth Vs Sunderland. A fantastic game with an out of this world atmosphere. The noise levels from the crowd were deafening. God knows what it would have been like with the stadiums mechanical roof shut.

Best advice I can give, plan well in advance and check the website. Failing all that, just contact them.