We’re living through crazy times at the moment, and one of the things we miss most here at NetBet is the atmosphere at the Premier League’s most iconic stadiums. It’s been over a year since we last packed into one of the 20 great top flight stadiums, or even one of the lower league grounds. The fake roars of the crowd that TV stations are funnelling in just don’t quite satiate the appetite, and we can’t wait to be back in the stands around the country supporting our favourite teams.
For now, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to look at some of the most iconic stadiums that have graced the Premier League over the years. Even if there aren’t fans there yet, you can still watch the games, and head over to our sports betting pages and pick a match to bet on. Hopefully you’ll win enough to afford a ticket to The Emirates!
Anfield – Liverpool FC
One of the great shames in footballing history was that Liverpool ended their 20+ year Premier League title drought without a packed house at Anfield. Home to the world famous Kop end, Liverpool fans are some of the greatest in the world, and always make for an intimidating presence for visiting teams. There have been many great European nights there over the years, as well as some absolutely mesmerizing performances from legends like John Barnes, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres or Ian Rush. While the city is home to a number of great tourist attractions, and another top flight club, one of the big bucket list items when anyone visits Liverpool is to get to stand in the Kop end during a big Liverpool game.
Highbury – Arsenal (until 2006)
They don’t play there anymore, but when Arsenal were at Highbury they were unstoppable. The old North London ground wasn’t as pretty as their new home at the nearby Emirates Stadium, but it played host to some fantastic Premier League matches. It was home to the legendary Invincibles team, as well as the side that came just inches away from winning the Champions League in 2006. Unfortunately, a combination of waning on the pitch performances, rising ticket prices and social factors has meant the Emirates has yet to develop that same kind of atmosphere, but we’re hoping it comes around for Arsenal, who are one of the country’s biggest clubs.
Turf Moor – Burnley
It’s one of the smallest stadiums in the league, but that makes Turf Moor an intimidating spot for the big clubs, used to the cosy surroundings of Old Trafford or the Etihad, to visit. Who can forget the legendary night when newly promoted Burnley took down Premier League champions Manchester United on their first home game in the flight for over three decades back in 2009. Just under 21,000 people packed into the old school ground to watch Sir Alex Ferguson’s world beaters, who had just won the title a few months previous, be put to the sword 1-0 in a game that almost certainly would have gone differently were there no fans in attendance like today.
Bramall Lane – Sheffield United
It’s not likely to remain a Premier League ground for much longer, but it’s been around for almost two centuries, so we had to put Bramall Lane on the list. It is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional association football matches, and played a pretty big part in the sport’s history, hosting a number of matches between the Sheffield and London Football Associations, which would ultimately lead to the unification of their respective rules. Bramall Lane is home to Sheffield United now, but it also hosted the final of the world’s first football tournament as well as the first ever football match to be played under floodlights.
St James’ Park – Newcastle United
When you think of a team with ‘long suffering’ fans, the first to come to mind is likely Newcastle United. Bereft of a major trophy for decades now, the supporters have never left. Through relegations and promotions, through different managers, from the heady days of Alan Shearer to trips across the country in the lower leagues, the ‘Toon Army’ refuse to give up on their team. That deep connection between supporters and team makes a visit to St James’ Park a very worthwhile endeavor for any true football supporter. Steve Bruce is the current man in charge, but we wouldn’t risk predicting who’ll be in the hotseat when fans are allowed to return in their droves later this year.
Old Trafford – Manchester United
Any young man who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s knows that Old Trafford was the last place any team in the world wanted to go, and it remains a fortress to this day. The beautiful 76,000-seat stadium was home to one of the greatest footballing dynasties in history under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, and his memory still lingers eight years after his leaving. The former Rangers player took over in 1986 and finally decided to take a step back from management 27 years later with a record 13 top flight titles, more than double the next best manager in the country’s history. If at any point from 1992 to 2013 you found yourself in this legendary ground, you were likely witnessing one of the greatest teams ever to play any sport, and the fan atmosphere reflected.