Emirates Stadium

Overview

Emirates Stadium is the home of Arsenal Football Club and one of the largest club football grounds in England. Opened in 2006, it replaced Highbury and gave Arsenal the capacity, hospitality space and commercial facilities required to compete with Europe’s wealthiest clubs.

The stadium has sometimes struggled to escape comparisons with Highbury. That is hardly fair. Highbury had marble halls, Art Deco stands and generations of accumulated memory. The Emirates arrived as a polished modern bowl with more comfortable seats and far more corporate facilities. One felt lived in; the other initially felt designed.

Nearly two decades later, the Emirates has developed a character of its own. Arsenal heritage now surrounds the exterior, the Clock End has been restored as a visible part of the ground’s identity, and improved supporter sections have helped create a stronger matchday atmosphere.

Emirates Stadium facts

Why Arsenal left Highbury

Arsenal played at Highbury from 1913 until 2006. It remains one of the most admired lost stadiums in English football, especially for its listed East Stand, marble halls and intimate relationship between the crowd and pitch.

Its capacity had become a serious limitation, however. Highbury held just over 38,000 spectators by the end of its life, leaving Arsenal with fewer matchday seats than several major domestic and European rivals.

Expanding Highbury was exceptionally difficult. The ground was enclosed by residential streets, while parts of the stadium held listed status. Arsenal therefore chose to build a new home on a former industrial site at Ashburton Grove, less than half a mile away.

The move increased matchday capacity by more than 22,000. It also introduced extensive hospitality, commercial and media facilities that could never have been accommodated within Highbury.

Financially, the timing was awkward. The stadium opened shortly before the global financial crisis, and Arsenal spent several seasons balancing construction debt against the cost of maintaining a competitive squad. The football improved and declined in cycles, but arguments about stadium repayments became almost as familiar as arguments about the midfield.

Building Emirates Stadium

Construction began in 2004, with Sir Robert McAlpine acting as the main contractor. The completed stadium cost approximately £390 million as part of a much larger regeneration project that included housing, transport improvements and the redevelopment of Highbury.

The design was created by HOK Sport, the practice later known as Populous. Its elliptical bowl consists of four principal seating levels:

• Lower tier
• Club Level
• Executive box level
• Upper tier

A translucent roof covers the seats while leaving the pitch exposed. Four large steel trusses support the roof, allowing the seating bowl to remain largely free from columns and restricted views.

This is one of the Emirates’ major practical strengths. Sightlines are consistently good across most of the stadium, including from the upper tier. The pitch may look distant from the highest rows, but there are few genuinely poor views.

Stadium architecture and exterior

The Emirates is built around a continuous bowl rather than four visibly separate stands. That creates efficient circulation and uninterrupted seating, although it initially made the stadium feel less distinctive than Highbury.

Arsenal have gradually corrected this through heritage-led design. Large exterior artworks celebrate players, supporters and the club’s history, while statues around the stadium commemorate figures including Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Arsène Wenger.

The bridges leading towards the stadium are named after Highbury’s North Bank and Clock End. The famous clock itself was recreated inside the stadium above the southern end, giving the Clock End name a physical presence once again.

The exterior podium is broad and open, allowing thousands of supporters to circulate around the building. On a quiet day it can feel rather exposed. On matchday, with food stalls, scarves and supporters filling the approaches, the scale begins to make sense.

What are the stands called?

Although the Emirates is one connected bowl, supporters still refer to its four sides and ends by familiar names.

Away supporters are normally positioned in the south-east corner of the lower tier. Allocations can change for domestic cup matches, so the surrounding seating arrangements are not identical for every fixture.

Where are the best seats?

The best place to sit depends on whether you value atmosphere, tactical views or proximity to the players.

Best overall view

Seats near the halfway line in the East or West Stand provide the most balanced view. From the middle or front of the upper tier, formations and off-ball movement are particularly easy to follow.

Best for atmosphere

The lower North Bank and Clock End generally offer the liveliest home sections. These areas suit supporters who want to stand at energetic moments, join the chants and experience the emotional swings of the match at close range.

Best for families

Quieter sections along the sides provide a more comfortable option for younger visitors. Family allocations and ticket categories can change, so supporters should check the seating information supplied for their fixture before buying.

Best value

Upper-tier seats behind either goal can offer a good compromise between price and view. You will be further from the action, but the steep elevation provides a clear picture of the whole pitch.

Best premium experience

Club Level combines padded seating with improved concourses, restaurants and hospitality options. It is comfortable and impressively organised, although it naturally feels less intense than the most vocal general-admission sections.

Atmosphere at Emirates Stadium

The early Emirates years produced a reputation for a subdued atmosphere. Some criticism was justified, but several factors were involved. Supporters had been redistributed from familiar Highbury sections, ticket prices were high, and the team was entering a long period without a league title.

Atmosphere at a modern bowl also behaves differently from noise inside an old four-stand ground. Sound spreads around the stadium rather than being fired directly across a narrow pitch.

The picture has changed considerably. Supporter groups, coordinated displays and a younger crowd in vocal sections have added energy, while competitive title challenges have given the stadium a sharper edge. A tense evening match under the floodlights can now be extremely loud.

North London derbies, decisive European ties and late-season fixtures bring out the Emirates at its best. The stadium does not generate hostility automatically. It responds to the football, and when Arsenal play with speed and aggression, the crowd usually follows.

The playing surface

Arsenal have long been associated with immaculate pitches, and the Emirates continues that tradition. The playing area measures 105 by 68 metres, the standard dimensions used by many leading European clubs.

The stadium roof and open corners were designed to balance spectator cover with the movement of sunlight and air across the grass. A hybrid playing surface combines natural grass with synthetic reinforcement, helping it withstand a full domestic and European schedule.

The broad, smooth pitch has traditionally suited Arsenal’s preference for possession and quick passing. Groundsmen rarely receive much applause, which is usually the clearest sign that they are doing an excellent job.

Arsenal Women at the Emirates

The Emirates has become increasingly important to Arsenal Women. Major Women’s Super League and UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures have attracted substantial crowds, turning the stadium into a regular home rather than an occasional venue for showcase matches.

This development has given the ground a broader identity within the club. The Emirates now hosts the most important home fixtures for both senior teams, with demand for women’s matches contributing significantly to the stadium’s calendar.

Major matches and events

The Emirates primarily hosts Arsenal’s domestic and European fixtures. Its most significant occasions have included:

• Premier League title races
• UEFA Champions League knockout matches
• UEFA Europa League fixtures
• North London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur
• Major Arsenal Women fixtures
• Emirates Cup pre-season matches
• International football
• Concerts and private events

For UEFA competitions, commercial naming restrictions mean the venue may be identified as Arsenal Stadium.

The ground has also hosted major concerts, including performances by Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay. Concert capacity can be higher than football capacity because additional spectators can be accommodated on the pitch.

Stadium tours and Arsenal Museum

The Emirates Stadium Tour provides access to areas normally closed to general matchday visitors. Depending on the tour format and stadium schedule, these may include:

• The players’ entrance
• Home and away changing rooms
• The players’ tunnel
• Pitchside areas
• The dugouts
• Directors’ seating
• Media facilities

Tour admission includes access to the Arsenal Museum, where visitors can explore trophies, shirts, photographs and objects connected with the club’s history.

Tours usually operate throughout the year, although routes and opening hours may change around matches, concerts and other stadium events. Booking in advance is sensible, particularly during school holidays and weekends.

Getting to Emirates Stadium

Public transport is the easiest way to reach the stadium. Driving is generally impractical because the surrounding streets are residential and matchday parking restrictions are extensive.

By London Underground

Arsenal station

Arsenal is on the Piccadilly line and is the nearest Underground station commonly recommended for home supporters. The walk to the stadium takes only a few minutes, although queues can form after the match.

Holloway Road station

Holloway Road is also on the Piccadilly line and sits close to the southern side of the stadium. Matchday access restrictions can apply because the station relies heavily on lifts and is not suited to very large post-match crowds. Check current travel guidance before depending on it.

Highbury & Islington station

Highbury & Islington is served by the Victoria line, London Overground and National Rail services. The walk to the Emirates usually takes around 15 minutes and can provide more onward travel options than Arsenal station.

Finsbury Park station

Finsbury Park is served by the Piccadilly and Victoria lines, National Rail and several bus routes. It is roughly a 15 to 20-minute walk from the stadium and can be useful when Arsenal station is heavily congested.

By train

Drayton Park is the closest National Rail station, but services and station arrangements can change on matchdays. Highbury & Islington and Finsbury Park are generally more reliable choices for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

By car

There is no general public matchday parking at the stadium. Local controlled parking zones and road closures make driving difficult. Accessible parking must normally be arranged in advance through the club.

Food and drink around the stadium

The area surrounding the Emirates has plenty of independent cafés, takeaway shops, pubs and matchday stalls. Holloway Road offers the widest selection, while Blackstock Road and the streets towards Highbury contain several long-established supporter meeting places.

Inside the stadium, concourses sell the usual range of pies, burgers, snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Service is efficient by football-ground standards, although queues peak immediately before kick-off and at half-time.

Eating outside the stadium usually provides better value and more choice. Arriving early also gives you time to walk around the exterior artwork and statues rather than seeing only the route between the station and turnstile.

Accessibility

Emirates Stadium includes wheelchair viewing platforms, accessible toilets, hearing assistance and step-free routes in designated areas. Accessible seating and companion places should be booked through Arsenal’s ticketing or disability access services.

Blue Badge parking is limited and must be reserved before visiting. Anyone with specific mobility or sensory requirements should contact the club in advance, as the most suitable entrance depends on the location of the seat.

The journey also requires planning. Arsenal and Holloway Road stations do not provide the same step-free options as some larger London interchanges. Use Transport for London’s accessible journey planner before travelling.

What to see nearby

The strongest nearby attraction is old Highbury, now known as Highbury Square. The former East and West Stand façades survive as part of a residential development, while the old pitch has been converted into landscaped communal gardens.

Visitors can also explore:

• Gillespie Park and its nature reserve
• Upper Street in Islington
• Camden Passage
• Finsbury Park
• The shops and restaurants along Holloway Road
• Arsenal statues and exterior artworks around the stadium podium

Walking from the Emirates to Highbury takes only a few minutes and helps explain the scale of Arsenal’s transition. The old ground feels woven into its streets. The new one announces itself from above railway lines and rooftops.

Future expansion

Arsenal have examined options for increasing capacity at the Emirates, with reports suggesting a possible long-term target of around 70,000 seats. The shape of the existing bowl, surrounding railway lines and the difficulty of carrying out major work while continuing to host matches make expansion complex.

No substantial capacity increase should be treated as confirmed until the club publishes formal plans. For now, the listed capacity remains 60,704.

Demand makes the discussion understandable. Arsenal regularly sell out major fixtures, while season-ticket demand extends well beyond the number of seats available. Expanding a modern stadium in a dense part of London, however, is never as simple as adding another row and sending the builders home for tea.

Is Emirates Stadium worth visiting?

Yes. The Emirates is architecturally impressive, easy to recognise and offers some of the best unobstructed views in English club football. Its transport connections are strong, even if post-match queues require patience.

Those expecting the tight proportions and old-fashioned detail of Highbury may find it comparatively polished. That contrast is part of the story. The Emirates represents the economic and architectural direction football took during the 2000s, while Arsenal’s recent heritage work has made it feel more closely connected to the club it houses.

For the best experience, arrive at least an hour before kick-off, approach through the surrounding streets rather than rushing directly from the Tube, and walk around the full stadium exterior. The Emirates makes more sense when seen as part of Arsenal’s wider North London landscape.

Emirates Stadium frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of Emirates Stadium?

Emirates Stadium has a seated football capacity of 60,704.

When did Emirates Stadium open?

The stadium opened in July 2006, replacing Highbury as Arsenal’s home ground.

Who plays at Emirates Stadium?

Emirates Stadium is the home of Arsenal’s men’s team and is also a major home venue for Arsenal Women.

What is the nearest Tube station?

Arsenal station on the Piccadilly line is the closest commonly used Underground station. Highbury & Islington and Finsbury Park are useful alternatives.

Why is it called Arsenal Stadium in European matches?

UEFA commercial rules can prevent a sponsored stadium name from being used during its competitions. The venue is therefore identified as Arsenal Stadium.

Can you visit Emirates Stadium without attending a match?

Yes. Arsenal offers stadium tours and operates a museum at the ground. Opening times and tour routes may change on event days.

Where do away supporters sit?

Away supporters are generally placed in the south-east corner of the lower tier. The allocation can increase for some domestic cup fixtures.

Is there parking at Emirates Stadium?

General public parking is extremely limited and driving is discouraged. Accessible parking must normally be booked with the club in advance.