Emirates Stadium, Home of Arsenal Football Club
Ashburton Grove Stadium
Arsenal had outgrown their former stadium at Highbury which has been their home since it was opened in 1913. But with a capacity of 38,500 the stadium was no longer big enough to cater for the Club's needs, the season ticket waiting list alone had 20,000 names on it.
The search was on for a site on which to construct the new stadium. The Ashburton Grove industrial site was chosen and it was only 500 yards 'as the crow flies' or so from Highbury.
Construction of the Emirates Stadium
Constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine the stadium is a four tier bowl. The stands are covered to protect the fans from the elements but the pitch is open. Ashburton Grove, as the stadium was originally called has a capacity of 60,355. This makes it the 3rd largest capacity for a football stadium in the UK behind Wembley with a capacity of 90,000 and Old Trafford with a capacity of 76212. The Emirates is the 3rd largest stadium in London behind Wembley and Twickenham rugby ground.
The upper tier seats 26,646 and the lower tier, 24,425. The middle tier, which is known as the club level, seats just 7,139 and the seats are sold on licence which last 1-4 years. The club tier also houses the director's box. Above the club tier are the boxes consisting of 10-15 seats of which there are 150, or 2,222 seats.
During planning, the shape of the tiers and the roof were designed to allow as much light as possible onto the pitch and Arsenal has consistently had the reputation of having one of the best playing surfaces in the world. The grass is a mix of real and artificial and has the added advantage of underground heating.
All in a Name, Ashburton Grove Becomes the Emirates
Having agreed a £100,000 sponsorship deal with Emirates airlines the stadium will be known as the Emirates stadium for the next 15 years, with one exception. If Arsenal are playing in the Champion's League the stadium is known as the Arsenal stadium. This is because the Emirates are not official sponsors of the Champions league cup.
Construction began in February 2004. This included the construction of 2 bridges over the northern city railway line connecting the stadium to Drayton Park. These are called the Clock End Bridge and the North End Bridge after stands at the Highbury stadium.
Not only was the stadium completed ahead of schedule, it was kept to the budget of £430 million.
The Queen was due to officially open the stadium on October 26 2006 (the Prince of Wales later King Edward VIII opened the west stand at Highbury 1932). Unfortunately the Queen had to cancel the engagement, something she has done very rarely during her reign as she was suffering from a back injury. However the ceremony went ahead with Prince Phillip carrying out the engagement on her Majesty's behalf.
To make amends for cancelling the engagement The Queen invited the chairman, manager and 1st team to join her for afternoon tea at Buckingham palace on 15 February 2007
Sources
- Arsenal.Com
- Arse.web.com
The Emirates Staduim
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