Best seats at Wembley for sport events

Wembley Stadium, London, HA9 0WS, England

Wembley Stadium, officially known as England’s premier football stadium located in Wembley, London.

Opening in 2007, it was constructed on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished between 2002 and 2003. Known for its iconic 134-metre-high Wembley Arch, this all-seater bowl design stadium is the largest in the UK and the second-largest in Europe, boasting a seating capacity in excess of 90,000.

The original Wembley Stadium, famous for its Twin Towers, was a national symbol and venue for numerous significant sporting events since its inception in 1923.

However, the old Wembley stadium was demolished in 2002 to make way for a modern, state-of-the-art facility.

The new stadium, which opened in 2007, was designed by architects Foster + Partners and HOK Sport (now Populous) and engineered by the Mott Stadium Consortium.

The construction of the new stadium faced numerous challenges, including financial and legal difficulties, delays, and a fatal accident. However, the completed stadium with its signature arch and partially retractable roof stands today as an architectural marvel and a landmark of London.

Check out this epic drone fly-through of the various levels of Wembley Stadium.

Redevelopment

The redevelopment of Wembley Stadium was a significant project not just for London, but for English sport. Initial plans envisaged the new stadium to be completed by 2003, but a series of issues pushed back the completion date to 2007.

The final project cost reached approximately £1 billion, making it one of the most expensive stadia ever built. Its impressive design, engineering features, and enhanced facilities were intended to provide an improved experience for athletes and spectators alike.

Famous Annual Sporting Events

Wembley Stadium is the venue for several high-profile annual sporting events. It hosts major football matches, including home matches of the England national football team and the FA Cup Final.

Other significant events include the FA Community Shield, the League Cup final, and the FA Cup semi-finals. Wembley has also hosted international events, such as the UEFA Champions League Finals and the UEFA Women’s Euro, along with the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament. For a full list of annual sporting events Read the rest of this article.

Configuration for Concerts

Aside from sporting events, Wembley Stadium is a favoured venue for large-scale music concerts, with its large seating capacity and advanced infrastructure allowing for impressive performances.

The design allows for temporary transformations to cater to the specific requirements of concerts, providing a remarkable experience for both artists and spectators.

Despite the enormous scale of the stadium, the acoustics and sightlines are designed to offer an immersive and inclusive experience for all attendees, making Wembley a globally sought-after destination for the world’s biggest music acts.

We’ll have more on this in a separate article soon as the viewing options differ significantly.

What are the best seats at Wembley Stadium?

The grandstands at Wembley stadium are in 3 tiers, the lower, middle and upper tiers with 4 main grandstands that encircle the entire pitch. There are over 90,000 seats here, the largest capacity stadium in the UK.

Lower Section

The Lower Section is the closest tier to the action. Able to hold approximately 34,303 spectators, it wraps around the entire circumference of the pitch. The main advantage of sitting in this section is the proximity to the players on the pitch.

From these seats, you can truly appreciate the speed and skill involved in top-level football. This is also the section that tends to be the loudest and most vibrant, particularly during high-stakes matches.

Club Wembley Section (Middle Section)

The Club Wembley Section is a premium level, located between the Lower and Upper Sections. With a capacity of around 16,532, this section features luxury seats and corporate hospitality boxes. Notably, there are 161 luxury boxes, with seating capacities ranging from 8 to 20.

In addition to the superior comfort, these premium seats often provide an excellent mid-level view of the pitch, allowing spectators to appreciate both the close-up action and wider tactical formations.

This section also houses a selection of top-quality bars and restaurants, further enhancing the matchday experience.

Upper Section

With the largest capacity of all three sections, the Upper Section can seat roughly 39,165 spectators. While it is further away from the pitch than the other two sections, it provides an impressive overview of the entire field of play.

From here, spectators can easily follow the flow of the game and spot tactical movements that may not be as visible from the Lower Section. It’s an excellent choice for those who wish to take in the overall spectacle.

Accessibility

Wembley Stadium has been designed with inclusivity in mind. There are dedicated areas for spectators with accessibility requirements, such as wheelchair users, throughout all three sections.

Each accessible area is equipped with amenity seats for personal assistants or companions, ensuring everyone can enjoy the event comfortably. Furthermore, the stadium features an accessible shuttle service, lifts to all levels, and accessible toilets. More on this in a minute.

Orientation

Wembley Stadium is divided into four main quadrants: North, East, South, and West. Each of these is further split into blocks for easy navigation.

This makes finding your seat a hassle-free experience. During football matches, teams’ supporters are typically allocated to separate ends of the stadium to establish a sense of home and away sections. Notably, the royal box and the player’s tunnel are situated on the West side of the stadium.

Do keep in mind that seating arrangements can occasionally change depending on the event. For the most accurate information, it’s recommended to check specific event details on the official Wembley Stadium website.

Levels 1 – 5 Services at Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium’s service across Levels 1 to 5 is marked by thoughtful facilities and efficient customer care, ensuring a memorable and convenient experience for all spectators.

Information Point Facilities

From Level 1 to Level 5, information booths are well-distributed to answer your queries, receive feedback, or assist with lost and found claims. You can borrow assisted listening devices and wheelchairs, collect young visitor wristbands, and procure first-visit certificates and stickers.

Booth locations include Block 108, Block 137, Gate G, and Gate F at Level 1, Member Services Booth at 242 and 212 at Level 2, and Information Booth at 514 and 539 at Level 5. General information on transport and local facilities is also readily available at these points.

Food and Drink Kiosks

Across all levels, the food and drink kiosks accept card payments, with cash not universally accepted. For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free options are available, and kiosk managers can provide ingredient lists upon request.

Merchandise and Programmes

Whether you’re seeking match programmes or a piece of memorabilia, they’re available along Olympic Way, on both internal and external concourses, and at the Stadium Store on the North Mezzanine Level and Internal Concourse Kiosks.

First Aid and Water Refill Stations

Spectator First Aid facilities are strategically located across all levels, ensuring prompt medical assistance. Complimentary water stations or water fountains are also available, with refill points distributed throughout the levels.

Additional Facilities

Baby change facilities are located at specified points on each level for your convenience. If you’re cycling to the venue, bicycle parking facilities are situated directly in front of the B2 Security Entrance and the Media Entrance. A dog spending area is located between gates B & C for those with canine companions. While no designated Prayer Rooms are available at the venue, the Area Supervisors are more than willing to assist should a guest request such a space.

What Disabled Access at Wembley Stadium?

Wembley Stadium strives to accommodate the needs of guests with access requirements. With 310 wheelchair user spaces and additional seating options for guests with other access requirements, the stadium shows a commitment to inclusivity. These spaces are available across all levels and each comes with an additional seat for a personal assistant or companion.

Trained stewards and the Customer Engagement Team, located at information desks across levels 1, 2, and 5, are available to assist guests. On level 1, you can find these desks at Block 108, Block 137, Gate G, and Gate F. On level 2, the Member Services Booths are located at 242 and 212.

If you are seated on level 5, the Information Booths can be found at 514 and 539. They offer a variety of services such as loaning assisted listening devices and wheelchairs, providing RADAR keys for accessible toilets, and arranging ‘pushing and chaperone’ services for guests needing additional help navigating the stadium.

Wembley offers 147 RADAR key-accessible toilets and two Changing Places units, located at Block 104 on level 1 and Block 552 on level 5. Navigation within the stadium is aided by lifts and escalators on every level, including dedicated lifts that accommodate two wheelchair users, personal assistants, and an attendant at each entrance.

The stadium offers additional facilities for guests with visual or hearing impairments. Induction loop facilities can be found at all information desks, retail outlets, and bars. Audio Descriptive Commentary is available at sporting events.

For guests with non-visible disabilities, Customer Engagement Team members receive specialized training in disability awareness, including support for guests with cognitive impairments. Two sensory and inclusion rooms are available on the northwest and northeast corners of level 4 for guests with neurodiverse conditions or cognitive impairments.

Despite these efforts, there are areas for potential improvement. For example, a reseat service is available for those with recent medical diagnoses, injuries, or pregnancies, but it is discretionary and not guaranteed. Overall, while Wembley Stadium is proactive in its efforts to be inclusive and meet a variety of access requirements, the specific distribution of resources and services within the stadium could be improved for enhanced accessibility.

What Hospitality Options at Wembley Stadium?

Wembley Stadium offers a diverse range of hospitality options for visitors to experience the venue in luxury and comfort. Whether you’re there for a football match, concert, or private event, there are different packages to suit your preferences.

1. Club Wembley

Club Wembley is a membership program with several tiers, each offering different benefits. Membership guarantees tickets to major events, priority booking for hospitality packages, and merchandise discounts. Also, members gain access to a private lounge and receive invitations to exclusive events. Prices for Club Wembley membership start at £250 per year.

Different levels of Club Wembley membership include:

Bobby Moore Club: At £12,504 per year, this premium membership level provides pitch-side seats for major events, fine dining in a private lounge, access to a members-only bar, and complimentary parking.
One Twenty: This luxury membership level costs £8,268 per year and offers premium seats for major events, a Champagne reception, fine dining in a private lounge, access to a members-only bar, and complimentary parking.
Centre Circle: This popular membership level, priced at £4,620 per year, offers prime seats for major events, complimentary drinks, a pre-match buffet, and access to a members-only bar.
Inner Circle: The most affordable membership level, Inner Circle, costs £2,466 per year. It provides good seats for major events, complimentary drinks, a pre-match buffet, and access to a members-only bar.

2. Event-specific Hospitality Packages

Event-specific hospitality packages are available for a variety of events, including football matches, concerts, and boxing matches. These packages typically include tickets to the event, food and drink, and access to a hospitality lounge. The cost varies depending on the event.

3. Private Boxes

For a more exclusive experience, private boxes can be rented for various events, such as corporate functions, weddings, and birthday parties. These boxes come with tickets to the event, food and drink, and access to a private lounge. The cost of renting a private box depends on the size of the box and the event.

What annual events are held at Wembley?

Wembley Stadium has a storied history of hosting significant annual sporting events, solidifying its status as a jewel of British sports. It’s the proud home to England’s home football games, showcasing the national team’s endeavours and attracting football fans from across the globe.

Aside from international fixtures, Wembley plays host to a series of domestic cup finals and semi-finals. These include the season-opening FA Community Shield, the League Cup final, and the FA Cup semi-finals and final. These games always draw massive crowds and provide thrilling spectacles for all sports enthusiasts.

The football league playoffs, incorporating the Football League Trophy, the FA Trophy, the FA Vase, and the National League play-offs also occur at this iconic venue. Each game contributes to the rich tapestry of footballing history at the stadium, creating unforgettable memories for fans and players alike.

Although the stadium has traditionally been the home of football, it has also welcomed other sports. The rugby league’s Challenge Cup final is an annual event, providing a diverse offering for sports fans.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that the stadium was a regular host for the NFL London Games until 2019. American football’s foray into the UK added an international flavour to the line-up of events, broadening Wembley’s appeal beyond traditional British and European sports.

How to get to Wembley Stadium?

Visiting Wembley Stadium offers several options in terms of transportation, making it highly accessible for both local and international visitors. Here are some ways to reach the stadium:

By Car and Parking Information

Wembley Stadium operates under a protective parking scheme where parking on the street is restricted to holders of an event day parking permit.

This restriction applies within a specific boundary set by Brent Council to minimize the impact of traffic on local residents and businesses. Some roads surrounding the stadium, including Fulton Road, Engineers Way, and South Way, are closed from 10:00 am to midnight on event days.

There are limited onsite parking facilities at the stadium, shared with Wembley Arena. The Green Car Park is an open-air surface parking area on the eastern flank of the stadium, and the Red Car Park is a multi-storey facility. Disabled parking is available at the Green Car Park at a reduced rate, but it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

JustPark private spaces you can rent

It’s worth checking out the JustPark app where you can find plenty of residential parking spaces available to rent during matches and events at Wembley Stadium

You’ll find plenty of options just a short walk away as Wembley is surrounded by a lot of residential roads, making driving to Wembley very convenient.

View JustPark spaces at Wembley

By Bus

There are numerous London Bus routes that run near Wembley Stadium:

By Train

The stadium is well connected by train services. Wembley Central station is serviced by the London Overground, Southern, and London Northwestern Railway services. The Wembley Stadium railway station is connected to the Chiltern Railways services.

The London Underground also provides easy access to the stadium. Wembley Park Station, connected via Olympic Way, operates on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines, while Wembley Central, connected via the White Horse Bridge, operates on the Bakerloo line.

Walking to the Stadium

For those nearby, walking to the stadium is an eco-friendly and healthy way to reach the venue. It is a short walk from Wembley Park Station via Olympic Way, and from Wembley Central via the White Horse Bridge.

Nearest Airports

For international visitors, the nearest major airport to Wembley Stadium is London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Other nearby airports include London City Airport (LCY), London Gatwick Airport (LGW), and London Luton Airport (LTN), all of which are accessible via public transportation to central London and then onto Wembley.