Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium (15)

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The idea of building this sports stadium arose at the end of the First World War. The government approved the holding of a British Imperial Exhibition the focus of which would be a large stadium for the national team. The design was entrusted to the architects John Simpson and Maxwell Ayerton, who realised the project in a record time of 300 days. Wembley was opened in 1924 by King George V.

For all football fans, the name of Wembley has great reminiscences. Perhaps you will remember that it was there where Bobby Moore, captain of England, raised high the World Cup in 1966. Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax, Manchester United and AC Milan have all won European Cup finals there as well.

The old stadium was also used as an incomparable setting for big venue concerts by artists such as Michael Jackson or the Rolling Stones. In July 1985 it also hosted the big charity concert Live Aid.

But times change and, in order to adapt to the demands of modern sport, the historic stadium closed in 2000 and was demolished in 2003.

The new Wembley, opened in 2007, is an impressive piece of contemporary architecture, the result of a joint effort from the cutting-edge studios of Foster and Partners and HOK Sport. Its 90,000 seats make it the second largest capacity stadium in Europe behind Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Its structure features the gigantic steel arch measuring 133 metres in height which holds the north roof of the stadium, as well as a large part of the weight of the south section. By eliminating the need for pillars, this revolutionary piece provides an excellent unspoilt view of the playing field.

The new Wembley, an essential element in the efforts being made by London to prepare for the holding of the 2012 Olympic Games, is the most expensive sports stadium ever built until now, at a cost of over 1,000 million euros.

Activities have returned to the pitch, and apart from the sporting events, the first musical performances have already taken place, among which feature the concert in memory of Diana Princess of Wales, which brought together 60,000 people in July 2007.

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