Travel Emirates Stadium

History and description

The Emirates Stadium replaced Arsenal’s previous home Highbury, which had become too small and lacked the possiblities for expansion being hemmed in by housing.

First plans for the construction of a new stadium were made in the late 1990s, but also a move to the new Wembley Stadium was considered.

In the end a site was chosen just a few hundred yards away from Highbury, and, after a few delays, construction of the stadium started in 2004. The total project budget amounted to £390 million.

The Emirates Stadium officially opened on the 23rd of July 2006. The first match was a testimonial match for Dennis Bergkamp featuring an Arsenal and Ajax side.

Due to the competition of nearby Wembley Stadium, the Emirates Stadium has never hosted the English national team, however the Brazilian national team has regularly staged friendlies at the stadium.

Getting there

The Emirates Stadium is located in the Islington area, toward the north of London at just over 2 miles from Kings Cross St Pancras railway station.

There are multiple ways to reach the stadium by public transport. The underground (tube) is one option – the nearest tube station is Arsenal, which is on the Piccadilly line. Decent alternatives are stations Finsbury Park (Victoria and Piccadilly line) and Highbury & Islington (Victoria line and London overground). From both stations it is an approximate 10-minute walk to the stadium.

On non-matchdays, Holloway Road station (Piccadilly line) is located closest, but will be closed pre-match and is exit-only after the match.

Supporters are not advised to arrive by car on matchdays, and there is little parking available around the Emirates Stadium on non-matchdays.

Alternatively, one can catch a train to Finsbury Park or Highbury & Islington main line stations. It is a 5 to 10-minute journey coming from Kings Cross station. During the week trains depart from Moorgate as well. Drayton Park rail station, closest to the stadium, closes on matchdays.