Qudus SalihuA good atmosphere in football is incredibly important. When fans are able to create an intimidating cauldron, and attempt to suck the ball into the net, a game can become a whole lot harder for opponents.
Across Europe, stadiums such as the Bernabeu, the San Siro, and Signal Iduna Park are famed for their incredible noise and how vibrant the support can be, particularly on European nights. In the Premier League, there are a number of stadiums which can replicate these atmospheres, especially on the biggest of occasions, and give their teams the edge.
In the modern game, many teams struggle to create an atmosphere and noise is often only created when there is success on the pitch. Considering this, when a team produces a loud environment, it stands out greatly. With that in mind, we are ranking the ten best atmospheres in the Premier League.
Ranking Factors
- Noise Levels
- How intimidating the ground is
- Attendances
10 Molineux
Club: Wolves
At its best, Molineux is one of the loudest stadiums in the Premier League. Acting as the team’s 12th man, the Wolves fan base can produce a very intimidating atmosphere to give their team the edge.
Especially during their Europa League matches in 2019, and their promotion to the Premier League in 2018, Molineux was rocking, and provided their team an edge on the biggest occasions. With the Sir Jack Hayward Stand generating the majority of the stadium’s noise, they attempt to drag the ball into the net and help their side to three points.
One of the most fierce grounds in the country at its best, Molineux is a stadium that few away sides look forward to visiting. Regardless of their team’s performance, the stadium is always rocking, and provides the hosts with an advantage that others close to them in the table don’t have.
| Molineux Stadium Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 31,750 |
| Year Opened | 1889 |
9 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Club: Tottenham
With the largest single stand in the United Kingdom, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is able to create a special atmosphere when the fans are on-side.
Despite not seeing any silverware, Spurs‘ home has hosted some big occasions, including Champions League and Carabao Cup semi-finals, and in these instances the ground has been rocking. Despite not having the same character as White Hart Lane, Tottenham’s new home is one of the most impressive arenas around, and the fans are able to feel right on top of the pitch.
The stands are all on a steep gradient, which makes the fans feel involved in the action, and can create a very intimidating atmosphere for opponents. Like many stadiums, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at its best on European nights, and is capable of creating special moments.
| Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 62,850 |
| Year Opened | 2019 |
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8 Old Trafford
Club: Manchester United
Nicknamed the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford is arguably the most iconic stadium in the Premier League, if not the world, and is the biggest club ground in the UK.
Although it is in need of serious repairs, the home of Manchester United is a special arena which holds a lot of history. Having hosted some of football’s best players and teams, the ground has seen it all, and its atmosphere can be incredible.
With over 70,000 people inside it every week, Old Trafford can generate some major noise, especially when the team are playing well. This atmosphere is certainly a contribution to the famous ‘Fergie time‘, and the many years of success the Red Devils have seen.
| Old Trafford Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 74,197 |
| Year Opened | 1910 |
7 Emirates Stadium
Club: Arsenal
Since Mikel Arteta’s arrival at Arsenal, it isn’t just their performances on the pitch that have improved.
Once known for having a very poor atmosphere, the Emirates Stadium has become a lot louder since the Gunners’ upturn in performances. With the introduction of the ‘Ashburton Army’, a group of young fans dedicated to creating a better atmosphere and lifting the mood in the stadium, the Emirates is now much louder, and doesn’t deserve the tag of being a ‘library’ that it once had.
With big games occurring more often, as the Gunners progress in the Champions League and compete for Premier League titles, Arsenal need strong support and the fans have delivered on that in recent years.
| Emirates Stadium Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 60,704 |
| Year Opened | 2006 |
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6 Selhurst Park
Club: Crystal Palace
One of the only clubs in England with ultras similar to those across Europe, Crystal Palace have one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the country.
Known as the Homesdale Fanatics, the fans create displays with banners and drums to produce a rowdy noise, which has made it one of the most challenging places for an away team to visit. An old-school ground with a very loud atmosphere, Selhurst Park is a real throwback, with low-roofed stands that sit tight to the touchline.
With constant chanting from minute one, Crystal Palace certainly have one of the best atmospheres in the league, making Selhurst Park an arena that many top teams struggle to cope in.
| Selhurst Park Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 25,486 |
| Year Opened | 1924 |
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5 The City Ground
Club: Nottingham Forest
One of the biggest clubs in England, having won the European Cup on two occasions, Nottingham Forest’s atmosphere matches their club’s stature.
A very passionate fan base, the Reds had spent a number of years languishing in the Championship, but their fans continued to follow in their numbers. Since the club has grown again and challenged at the top of the Premier League, the Forest faithful have continued to be their team’s twelfth man.
Signing their famous song, ‘Mull of Kintyre’, Nottingham Forest fans produce a very intimidating atmosphere at one of the country’s most iconic grounds. As the team continues to improve, their atmosphere remains consistent, and is certainly one of the best in the league.
| The City Ground Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 30,404 |
| Year Opened | 1898 |
4 Villa Park
Club: Aston Villa
Especially on the biggest occasions, Villa Park has one of the most electric atmospheres in England.
As Aston Villa are back playing regularly in Europe, Villa Park is rocking as it hosts some of the world’s best teams. With over 40,000 ardent supporters packing it out every week, the fans can create a fiery atmosphere, as their unwavering support drives the team on.
A stadium rich in history, Villa Park’s famous Holte End can generate an atmosphere like few other stands. The ground itself combines new and old, while the significance of its size shouldn’t overlooked – big enough to host a crowd that will nautrally make a lot of noise, but contained enough to ensure nothing is acoustically wasted.
| Villa Park Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 42,785 |
| Year Opened | 1897 |
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3 Goodison Park
Club: Everton
A stadium that is in its final season, Goodison Park is a truly iconic venue.
A traditional stadium with wooden seats and fans very close to the pitch, the home of the Toffees is full of history. Producing an electric atmosphere when the team are playing well, Goodison Park has made the difference for Everton on many occasions, as the fans produce a very intimidating environment.
Somewhere that all fans will be sad to see go, Goodison Park has hosted some special occasions. Although Everton supporters haven’t been treated to a lot of success in recent seasons, when the fans are onside, it can be a very hostile place for opponents.
| Goodison Park Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 39,572 |
| Year Opened | 1892 |
2 Anfield
Club: Liverpool
Anfield is one of the loudest stadiums in the world when it hosts big games.
A ground that is recognised around the world, and a place that all football fans want to visit, Anfield has a special atmosphere on European nights or when hosting derbies. On those occasions, the pre-match rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone often becomes genuinely spine-tingling, while the roar of the Reds faithful often has visiting teams settling for mere survival during the first 20 minutes of games.
A place where the best players shine and opponents shrink, Liverpool’s passionate fans are able to make all the difference.
| Anfield Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 61,276 |
| Year Opened | 1884 |
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1 St James’ Park
Club: Newcastle
With one of the most dedicated fan bases in the world and a unique layout, Newcastle United’s St James’ Park is a truly special stadium that produces an incredible atmosphere.
Having seen their side beat PSG, Arsenal and many more big teams at home in recent years, a lot of credit must go to the Newcastle fans who create a very intimidating environment and often act as a leveler when elite sides come to town.
Always full, with over 50,000 dedicated Geordies at St James’ Park, every team is prepared for a very difficult afternoon when they head to Newcastle’s home. One of the best atmospheres on the planet, there are few places which electrify football in the same way as Newcastle’s iconic venue.
| St James’ Park Facts | |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 52,305 |
| Year Opened | 1892 |
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