Wembley Stadium is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. It is located in London, England, and is known for hosting football matches, concerts, and other big events. Many people visit Wembley every year, but do you know who owns this famous stadium? Let’s find out in the easiest way possible.
Who Owns Wembley Stadium?
Wembley Stadium is owned by The Football Association (The FA). The FA is the organization that controls football in England. It makes the rules for football competitions and organizes major tournaments like the FA Cup.
The FA runs Wembley Stadium through a special company called Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL). This company manages everything about the stadium, including its maintenance, events, and operations.
A Quick History of Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium has a long and interesting history. Here are some key moments:
- The Old Wembley (1923-2003) – The first Wembley Stadium was built in 1923. It became famous for hosting the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, where England won their first and only World Cup.
- Demolition and Rebuilding (2003-2007) – The old Wembley was torn down in 2003 to make way for a modern stadium.
- New Wembley (2007-Present) – The new Wembley Stadium officially opened in 2007. It has a 90,000-seat capacity, making it the biggest stadium in the UK and the second-largest in Europe.
Why is Wembley Stadium Important?
Wembley is known as the “Home of Football” because it hosts major football events, including:
- The FA Cup Final – The most important club football match in England.
- England National Team Matches – England plays all their home games at Wembley.
- UEFA Champions League Finals – Wembley has hosted the final of Europe’s biggest club competition multiple times.
- Concerts and Other Events – Famous artists like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay have performed here. The stadium also hosts the NFL (American football) and boxing matches.
Who Tried to Buy Wembley Stadium?
In 2018, an American businessman named Shahid Khan tried to buy Wembley Stadium from The FA. Khan is the owner of Fulham Football Club and the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL team). He offered £600 million for Wembley, but the deal did not happen. The FA decided to keep the stadium instead.
How is Wembley Stadium Funded?
Building the new Wembley Stadium was very expensive. The cost was around £798 million. The FA got money from different sources to pay for it, including government loans and sponsorship deals.
One major sponsor is EE, a British mobile network. That’s why the stadium is sometimes called “Wembley connected by EE.”
The Future of Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium continues to be one of the most important venues in the world. It will host the UEFA Champions League Final in 2024 and will likely be part of future international tournaments. The FA is always working to improve the stadium to make it better for fans and players.
Conclusion
Wembley Stadium is owned by The Football Association (The FA), which runs it through Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL). Although there were attempts to buy the stadium, The FA decided to keep it. Wembley remains one of the greatest stadiums in the world, hosting football matches, concerts, and other big events.