The birthplace of football, England, needed a worthy home. That is Wembley Stadium, the home of England’s national football team. The tour of this sporting monument shows how grand and exciting a construction like this can be.
Remembering that the stadium was also designed to be multipurpose. So during the Wembley Stadium Tour don’t expect to hear only about football. He goes much further. There are record attendances at various musical concerts, epic rugby , American football and Gaelic football matches, great moments in athletics, the different modalities of the Olympic Games and even boxing.
Wembley is a multi-generational icon of all sports and the global cultural scene, one of the best stadiums in Europe . Check out the highlights of your visit on the Wembley Stadium Tour.
Wembley Arch
Wembley’s imposing arch was built to be the stadium’s new landmark. It is 315 meters in diameter and 133 meters high, capable of producing light shows from 228 lamps and fireworks.
The monumental structure was designed by Norman Foster to replace the old “twin towers” that were a symbol of the place. In the first version of the stadium, built in 1923, two towers, measuring 38 meters each, indicated the location of Wembley Stadium.
In 1996, when talk began about a complete restructuring of the stadium, it was planned to preserve the facade with the towers. However, at the end of the decade, it was decided to completely demolish it to build a completely new and modern stadium. There were many criticisms.
Upon completion of the work, Wembley Stadium was considered an architectural marvel. And its new symbol, the bow, was accepted by everyone.
Bobby Moore Statue
On the access ramp to the main entrance, the statue of the 1966 England captain, Bobby Moore, welcomes fans and visitors. He was the one who lifted the trophy to win the World Cup that year. The only English title was won against West Germany.
Wembley Stadium Museum
The stadium museum has some temporary exhibitions and also some collections full of souvenirs. For example, the goalpost and cup from the 1966 World Cup, the commemorative plaque and torch from the 1948 Olympics; several trophies and shirts from the English team and some teams that have played there.
Hanging on the walls, there is also a photographic chronology of important games, events and shows in the history of Wembley Stadium.
Access tunnel and lawn
At the end of the tour, the guide directs visitors to the stadium’s pitch, passing through the access tunnel that players go through at the start of matches. As you go through the tunnel, you will have a view of the grand Wembley Stadium.
To preserve the stadium’s natural grass, visitors are only allowed to step on the technical area, in front of the benches — part of which is made of synthetic grass. This is one of the most anticipated parts of the tour, especially for children, who are delighted to sit on the benches that have already been occupied by many idols.
Discover Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium celebrates 100 years since its opening in 2023. The former stadium was known as the British Empire Exhibition Stadium or Empire Stadium and was built for the 1923 British Empire Exhibition. Aimed at developing trade relations, the exhibition featured 58 countries participants.
The stadium continued to be used for games. The first game was the 1923 FA Cup Final, known as the White Horse Final. The match was played by the teams Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United and had a record attendance of 127 thousand fans.
Soon the stadium underwent expansions and, in 1934, the Wembley Arena was built to host swimming competitions. Today it is used for various events, especially musical concerts.
Wembley Stadium opening hours
Tours take place every 30 minutes, with first admission at 10am. Doors close after last entry, which varies depending on the time of year you visit:
- October – March: last entry at 3pm;
- April – July and September: last entry at 4pm;
- August: last entry at 5pm.
Daily opening hours, except on game or event days. Always check availability in advance.
Is the Wembley Stadium Tour worth doing?
The Wembley Stadium Tour is really worth doing.
This is one of the largest and most modern stadiums in the world. And even for those who are not football fans, the stadium has also hosted the Olympic Games and several other sports, as well as memorable shows. Oasis, Madonna, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, among many others have performed and made history at the venue.
How long does a visit to Wembley Stadium last?
The guided tour lasts approximately 75 minutes , but allow approximately 2 hours for the visit, as you will be able to remain in the stadium after the guided part.
What should you know before going to Wembley Stadium in London?
Now that you know everything about Wembley Stadium, add the stadium to your list of things to do in London , and buy tickets in advance . Especially if you prefer the VIP Tour or VIP Matchday Tour — entries are limited and very popular.
Take the opportunity to learn more about the history of English sport and epic shows at this incredible century-old stadium. Have a nice trip!
I’m Djavan Dias, or DJ for short. I’ve swapped corporate life for endless adventures, sharing travel tips and insights on Premier Wanderlust. Dive into a world of smart travel and unforgettable experiences with me!
