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New Stadium Effect

New football stadiums - what impact do they have on and off the pitch?

Football teams moving into new stadiums is a fact of everyday life now. Some fans greet this with open arms, looking forward to better facilities in the new ground. Others less so, with concerns over the changes and fear of the club losing its identity - plus a change to matchday traditions which may have spanned several generations of the same family.

We have delved into the archives and scoured the record books to discover what effect moving into a new stadium has on a club. To do this, we concentrated on two major factors:

  1. How the new stadium has affected the team's overall performance (which position they finished)
  2. How the new stadium has affected the club's attendance - and what this would mean in terms of revenue

History of building a new football stadium

Football clubs used to move grounds quite a lot back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This was mainly due to the sport gaining popularity at the time, and the team finding their place in the local community.

However, the later half of the 21st century saw a lull in new stadiums being built. Southend United opened Roots Hall in 1955, but after that, no major stadium was built until Scunthorpe United moved into Glanford Park in 1988.

Scunny started somewhat of a revolution, and coupled with the increased safety standards after the Hillsborough Disaster, we are now used to clubs either rebuilding or relocating to a new ground.

But can we link new stadiums to an upturn in a club's success? Read on to find out...

Old StadiumNew StadiumOld vs New
TeamAverage PositionAverage AttendanceAverage PositionAverage AttendanceAverage Position ChangeAverage Attendance Change
ArsenalArsenal
Old stadium: Highbury
New stadium: The Emirates Stadium
238,025360,014+1+21,989
(+58%)
Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers
Old stadium: Burnden Park
New stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
429,8371622,470-26+12,633
(+128%)
Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion
Old stadium: The Withdean Stadium
New stadium: Amex Stadium
506,4622326,700-27+20,238
(+313%)
Cardiff CityCardiff City
Old stadium: Ninian Park
New stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
4312,7902522,216-18+9,426
(+74%)
ChesterfieldChesterfield
Old stadium: Saltergate
New stadium: SMH Group Stadium
674,213745,845+7+1,632
(+39%)
Colchester UnitedColchester United
Old stadium: Layer Road
New stadium: JobServe Community Stadium
533,723634,131+10+408
(+11%)
Coventry CityCoventry City
Old stadium: Highfield Road
New stadium: The Coventry Building Society Arena
2318,1874017,232+17-955
(-5%)
Derby CountyDerby County
Old stadium: The Baseball Ground
New stadium: Pride Park
2015,9802326,902+3+10,922
(+68%)
Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers
Old stadium: Belle Vue
New stadium: The Keepmoat Stadium
785,021498,651-29+3,630
(+72%)
Huddersfield TownHuddersfield Town
Old stadium: Leeds Road
New stadium: The John Smith's Stadium
496,4154411,987-5+5,572
(+87%)
Hull CityHull City
Old stadium: Boothferry Park
New stadium: The KCOM Stadium
745,0783919,351-35+14,273
(+281%)
Leicester CityLeicester City
Old stadium: Filbert Street
New stadium: The King Power Stadium
1718,8823224,420+15+5,538
(+29%)
Manchester CityManchester City
Old stadium: Maine Road
New stadium: Etihad Stadium
2429,430844,531-16+15,101
(+51%)
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough
Old stadium: Ayresome Park
New stadium: The Riverside Stadium
3014,5461330,955-17+16,409
(+113%)
MillwallMillwall
Old stadium: The Old Den
New stadium: The Den
318,479429,127+11+648
(+8%)
Northampton TownNorthampton Town
Old stadium: The County Ground
New stadium: Sixfields
763,625715,408-5+1,783
(+49%)
Oxford UnitedOxford United
Old stadium: The Manor Ground
New stadium: The Kassam Stadium
476,402895,839+42-563
(-9%)
ReadingReading
Old stadium: Elm Park
New stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
486,5903316,291-15+9,701
(+147%)
Rotherham UnitedRotherham United
Old stadium: Millmoor
New stadium: New York Stadium
634,977479,273-16+4,296
(+86%)
Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United
Old stadium: The Old Showground
New stadium: Glanford Park
782,585783,1670+582
(+23%)
Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury Town
Old stadium: Gay Meadow
New stadium: The New Meadow
843,519715,603-13+2,084
(+59%)
SouthamptonSouthampton
Old stadium: The Dell
New stadium: St Mary's Stadium
1514,9352925,306+14+10,371
(+69%)
Stoke CityStoke City
Old stadium: The Victoria Ground
New stadium: bet365 Stadium (The Britannia Stadium)
3912,6843814,496-1+1,812
(+14%)
SunderlandSunderland
Old stadium: Roker Park
New stadium: The Stadium of Light
3217,9141836,841-14+18,927
(+106%)
Swansea CitySwansea City
Old stadium: Vetch Field
New stadium: The Liberty Stadium
765,0512616,773-50+11,722
(+232%)
Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur
Old stadium: White Hart Lane
New stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
435,318556,428+1+21,110
(+60%)
WalsallWalsall
Old stadium: Fellows Park
New stadium: The Bescot
554,706664,362+11-344
(-7%)
West Ham UnitedWest Ham United
Old stadium: Upton Park (Boleyn Ground)
New stadium: London Stadium (Olympic Stadium)
1433,9821157,772-3+23,790
(+70%)
Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic
Old stadium: Springfield Park
New stadium: DW Stadium
672,9803012,410-37+9,430
(+316%)

New stadium facts

90%
of teams increased their average attendance after moving into a new stadium (26/29)
59%
improved their average league position after moving into a new stadium (17/29)

New stadium awards


New stadium impact - team by team


Arsenal Arsenal

Arsenal needed a new stadium for many years. Whilst Highbury was a fantastic historic stadium, the Gunners sold out every week and had a season ticket waiting list of thousands. With part of Highbury Grade II listed, expansion was out of the question. Eventually the club moved into nearby Ashburton Grove, known as the Emirates Stadium in a lucrative deal with the Dubai-based airline.

Whilst the move to the Emirates hasn't resulted in any improvement in league position (Arsenal went from being a top 4 club to still being a top 4 club), the average attendance for home matches has increased more than 50% - from 38,025 up to 60,014. One thing that the Emirates hasn't delivered is league titles though - Arsenal won the Premier League 3 times in Highbury's last 10 years, but didn't finish higher than 2nd in the first 10 years at the Emirates.

Old stadium: Highbury (1913 - 2006, 93 years)
New stadium: The Emirates Stadium (Opened 2006, £390m)

Old stadium average attendance: 38,025
New stadium average attendance: 60,014
Difference: +21,989 (+58%)

Old stadium average league position: 2
New stadium average league position: 3
Difference: +1

Average attendance

Highbury
1996/199737,821
1997/199838,053
1998/199938,024
1999/200038,024
2000/200137,974
2001/200238,075
2002/200338,029
2003/200438,079
2004/200537,975
2005/200638,184
The Emirates Stadium
2006/200760,040
2007/200860,083
2008/200960,040
2009/201059,927
2010/201160,023
2011/201260,000
2012/201360,079
2013/201460,013
2014/201559,992
2015/201659,944

League position

Highbury
1996/19973
1997/19981
1998/19992
1999/20002
2000/20012
2001/20021
2002/20032
2003/20041
2004/20052
2005/20064
The Emirates Stadium
2006/20074
2007/20083
2008/20094
2009/20103
2010/20114
2011/20123
2012/20134
2013/20144
2014/20153
2015/20162

Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers

Bolton vacated Burnden Park in 1997, a stadium which had been their home since 1895. Originally called the Reebok Stadium, the new ground has brought and upturn in both league position and a big increase in average attendance.

League position improved from an average of 42nd in the last 10 years of Burnden Park (towards the bottom of the 2nd tier) to 15th after the move (mid-table in the top flight). Average attendance more than doubled from 9,837 up to 22,469.

Old stadium: Burnden Park (1895 - 1997, 102 years)
New stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium (Opened 1997, £25m)

Old stadium average attendance: 9,837
New stadium average attendance: 22,470
Difference: +12,633 (+128%)

Old stadium average league position: 42
New stadium average league position: 16
Difference: -26

Average attendance

Burnden Park
1987/19885,018
1988/19895,528
1989/19907,286
1990/19917,286
1991/19926,030
1992/19939,062
1993/199410,498
1994/199513,029
1995/199618,822
1996/199715,820
Toughsheet Community Stadium
1997/199824,352
1998/199918,038
1999/200014,297
2000/200116,062
2001/200225,098
2002/200325,019
2003/200426,795
2004/200526,163
2005/200625,265
2006/200723,606

League position

Burnden Park
1987/198871
1988/198954
1989/199050
1990/199150
1991/199257
1992/199346
1993/199434
1994/199523
1995/199620
1996/199721
Toughsheet Community Stadium
1997/199818
1998/199926
1999/200026
2000/200123
2001/200216
2002/200317
2003/20048
2004/20056
2005/20068
2006/20077

Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion

If a football team ever needed a new ground, it's Brighton and Hove Albion. Brighton were homeless after its owners sold the Goldstone Ground in 1997. Until 2011, the club played at the woefully inadequate Withdean Stadium, complete with temporary stands and a running track around the pitch.

In 2011, Albion moved onto the shiny new 30,000 capacity Amex Stadium which saw an incredible upturn in fortunes both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, attendances soared 313% from 6,462 to 26,700 - that's the second biggest percentage increase on our list. Most importantly, Albion improved dramatically on the pitch from an average of 50th (6th League One) to 23rd (3rd in the Championship) - the last 4 years of which were spent in the Premier League.

Brighton's move to the Amex is a shining example of how a sleeping giant can be woken with a new stadium.

Old stadium: The Withdean Stadium (1997 - 2011, 14 years)
New stadium: Amex Stadium (Opened 2011, £93m)

Old stadium average attendance: 6,462
New stadium average attendance: 26,700
Difference: +20,238 (+313%)

Old stadium average league position: 50
New stadium average league position: 23
Difference: -27

Average attendance

The Withdean Stadium
2001/20026,598
2002/20036,651
2003/20046,248
2004/20056,248
2005/20066,802
2006/20076,048
2007/20085,937
2008/20096,092
2009/20106,467
2010/20117,355
Amex Stadium
2011/201220,028
2012/201326,236
2013/201427,283
2014/201525,645
2015/201625,583
2016/201727,996
2017/201830,402
2018/201930,426
2019/2020-
2020/2021-

League position

The Withdean Stadium
2001/200245
2002/200343
2003/200448
2004/200548
2005/200644
2006/200762
2007/200851
2008/200960
2009/201057
2010/201145
Amex Stadium
2011/201230
2012/201324
2013/201426
2014/201540
2015/201623
2016/201722
2017/201815
2018/201917
2019/202015
2020/202116

Cardiff City Cardiff City

City's move from their old Ninian Park home wasn't welcomed by all with open arms - some preferring the atmosphere and hostility associated with the old stadium. Ninian shut its doors for the final time in 2009, having been Cardiff's home for 99 years.

The new Cardiff City Stadium has been good for the club though, with attendances increasing 74% and average league position improving by 18 places from 43rd (23rd in the Championship) to 25th (5th in the Championship). The 10th anniversary of Cardiff City's new stadium saw the club play their first season in the Premier League.

Old stadium: Ninian Park (1910 - 2009, 99 years)
New stadium: Cardiff City Stadium (Opened 2009, £48m)

Old stadium average attendance: 12,790
New stadium average attendance: 22,216
Difference: +9,426 (+74%)

Old stadium average league position: 43
New stadium average league position: 25
Difference: -18

Average attendance

Ninian Park
1999/20006,895
2000/20017,962
2001/200212,523
2002/200312,523
2003/200415,569
2004/200512,976
2005/200611,720
2006/200715,223
2007/200813,939
2008/200918,044
Cardiff City Stadium
2009/201020,717
2010/201123,194
2011/201222,100
2012/201322,999
2013/201427,430
2014/201521,124
2015/201616,463
2016/201716,564
2017/201820,164
2018/201931,408

League position

Ninian Park
1999/200065
2000/200170
2001/200248
2002/200348
2003/200433
2004/200536
2005/200631
2006/200733
2007/200832
2008/200927
Cardiff City Stadium
2009/201024
2010/201124
2011/201226
2012/201321
2013/201420
2014/201531
2015/201628
2016/201732
2017/201822
2018/201918

Chesterfield Chesterfield

Chesterfield played at the old Saltergate ground longer than any other team on our list - playing their first match there in 1871, racking up an impressive 139 years at the stadium.

The club moved to their new ground in 2010, originally called the b2net, then Proact and Technique Stadiums. The first 10 years saw a marginal decline in average league position from 67th to 74th, culminating with the side's relegation from the English League system in 2019. Despite the poor form, Spireites' attendances have improved by 39% since the move - even the season where they finished bottom of League 2 had a higher average attendance than any of their last 10 seasons at Saltergate.

Old stadium: Saltergate (1871 - 2010, 139 years)
New stadium: SMH Group Stadium (Opened 2010, £13m)

Old stadium average attendance: 4,213
New stadium average attendance: 5,845
Difference: +1,632 (+39%)

Old stadium average league position: 67
New stadium average league position: 74
Difference: +7

Average attendance

Saltergate
2000/20012,935
2001/20024,846
2002/20034,392
2003/20044,392
2004/20054,331
2005/20064,961
2006/20074,772
2007/20084,235
2008/20094,103
2009/20103,449
SMH Group Stadium
2010/20113,849
2011/20126,972
2012/20136,530
2013/20145,431
2014/20156,279
2015/20166,925
2016/20176,676
2017/20185,929
2018/20195,354
2019/20204,500

League position

Saltergate
2000/200168
2001/200271
2002/200362
2003/200462
2004/200564
2005/200661
2006/200760
2007/200865
2008/200976
2009/201078
SMH Group Stadium
2010/201176
2011/201269
2012/201366
2013/201476
2014/201569
2015/201650
2016/201762
2017/201868
2018/201992
2019/2020107

Colchester United Colchester United

Layer Road was home to Colchester for 101 years before it was closed in 2008. The ground was famed for its proximity to the pitch, with fans almost able to touch the players as they ran past.

Perhaps it was the loss of this intimacy or maybe the fact that it was built in the middle of nowhere, but Colchester's new stadium has had very little effect on the club's performances - both on and off the field.

In terms of attendances, Colchester have seen an improvement of just 10% since moving to the Colchester Community Stadium, one of the worst in our list. In real terms, the improvement is just an extra 408 people per game. Part of this may be down to the club's performances on the pitch, with average League position dropping from 53rd to 63rd in the same period.

Old stadium: Layer Road (1907 - 2008, 101 years)
New stadium: JobServe Community Stadium (Opened 2000, £14m)

Old stadium average attendance: 3,723
New stadium average attendance: 4,131
Difference: +408 (+11%)

Old stadium average league position: 53
New stadium average league position: 63
Difference: +10

Average attendance

Layer Road
1998/19994,453
1999/20003,782
2000/20013,555
2001/20023,555
2002/20033,387
2003/20043,536
2004/20053,534
2005/20063,969
2006/20075,466
2007/20085,509
JobServe Community Stadium
2000/20015,084
2001/20025,530
2002/20034,247
2003/20043,865
2004/20053,530
2005/20063,735
2006/20073,886
2007/20084,136
2008/20093,973
2009/20103,321

League position

Layer Road
1998/199962
1999/200062
2000/200161
2001/200261
2002/200356
2003/200455
2004/200559
2005/200646
2006/200730
2007/200844
JobServe Community Stadium
2000/200156
2001/200252
2002/200354
2003/200454
2004/200564
2005/200660
2006/200763
2007/200867
2008/200976
2009/201081

Coventry City Coventry City

Coventry's move to their new stadium has been a rollercoaster ride. Opened in 2005, the new 32,000 capacity Ricoh Arena looked to be everything the club needed. However, fans were in for a tough journey after the initial honeymoon period. Coventry have left the stadium twice through disputes with owners and landlords, firstly playing at Sixfields in Northampton followed 5 years later with a season sharing at Birmingham City's St Andrews.

The move hasn't been a good one for either league position or average attendance. City dropped from 23rd to 40th in the overall league ranking whilst average attendance has fallen as well - down 5% from 18,187 to 17,232 (and that's even ignoring the season spent at the much smaller Sixfields stadium).

Old stadium: Highfield Road (1899 - 2005, 106 years)
New stadium: The Coventry Building Society Arena (Opened 2005, £113m)

Old stadium average attendance: 18,187
New stadium average attendance: 17,232
Difference: -955 (-5%)

Old stadium average league position: 23
New stadium average league position: 40
Difference: +17

Average attendance

Highfield Road
1995/199618,507
1996/199719,625
1997/199819,718
1998/199919,718
1999/200020,809
2000/200120,582
2001/200216,150
2002/200314,813
2003/200414,816
2004/200516,048
The Coventry Building Society Arena
2005/200621,302
2006/200720,342
2007/200819,123
2008/200917,403
2009/201017,305
2010/201116,310
2011/201215,119
2012/201310,950
2013/20142,348
2014/20159,332

League position

Highfield Road
1995/199616
1996/199717
1997/199811
1998/199911
1999/200014
2000/200119
2001/200231
2002/200340
2003/200432
2004/200539
The Coventry Building Society Arena
2005/200628
2006/200737
2007/200841
2008/200937
2009/201039
2010/201138
2011/201243
2012/201359
2013/201462
2014/201561

Derby County Derby County

Derby left the Baseball Ground for Pride Park in 1997, the new £28m stadium replacing a ground which had been the Rams' home for 102 years.

On the field results have marginally dropped, with the team's averaging finishing position going from 20th to 23rd. In the stands, the club have seen average gates rise an impressive 68% from just under 16,000 to just under 27,000.

Old stadium: The Baseball Ground (1895 - 1997, 102 years)
New stadium: Pride Park (Opened 1997, £28m)

Old stadium average attendance: 15,980
New stadium average attendance: 26,902
Difference: +10,922 (+68%)

Old stadium average league position: 20
New stadium average league position: 23
Difference: +3

Average attendance

The Baseball Ground
1987/198817,158
1988/198917,535
1989/199017,426
1990/199117,426
1991/199214,664
1992/199315,020
1993/199415,937
1994/199513,589
1995/199614,327
1996/199717,889
Pride Park
1997/199829,106
1998/199929,193
1999/200029,351
2000/200128,551
2001/200229,816
2002/200325,470
2003/200422,200
2004/200525,219
2005/200624,166
2006/200725,945

League position

The Baseball Ground
1987/198815
1988/19895
1989/199016
1990/199116
1991/199225
1992/199330
1993/199428
1994/199531
1995/199622
1996/199712
Pride Park
1997/19989
1998/19998
1999/200016
2000/200117
2001/200219
2002/200338
2003/200440
2004/200524
2005/200640
2006/200723

Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers

Belle Vue was Donny's home from 1922 until 2006. The 84 years had seen the ground fall into a state of disrepair and so a move to the new £20m Keepmoat Stadium (as it was called at the time) was very welcome.

The move to the new stadium has seen a tremendous upturn in performances on the pitch - 5 of the last 10 years at Belle Vue were spent in non-League, yet the first 3 seasons at the Keepmoat brought Championship football to South Yorkshire.

In the stands, the club saw a 72% rise in average attendance from 5,021 to 8,651 thanks to improved performances and improved facilities at the new ground.

Old stadium: Belle Vue (1922 - 2006, 84 years)
New stadium: The Keepmoat Stadium (Opened 2007, £20m)

Old stadium average attendance: 5,021
New stadium average attendance: 8,651
Difference: +3,630 (+72%)

Old stadium average league position: 78
New stadium average league position: 49
Difference: -29

Average attendance

Belle Vue
1996/19973,380
1997/19982,909
1998/19992,281
1999/20002,281
2000/20013,540
2001/20026,939
2002/20036,886
2003/20046,139
2004/20057,746
2005/20067,978
The Keepmoat Stadium
2007/200811,964
2008/200910,992
2009/201010,258
2010/20119,341
2011/20127,239
2012/20139,041
2013/20146,884
2014/20156,553
2015/20166,021
2016/20178,213

League position

Belle Vue
1996/1997108
1997/1998104
1998/1999101
1999/2000101
2000/200195
2001/200269
2002/200354
2003/200452
2004/200555
2005/200647
The Keepmoat Stadium
2007/200834
2008/200932
2009/201041
2010/201144
2011/201245
2012/201342
2013/201457
2014/201565
2015/201671
2016/201759

Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield swapped Leeds Road for the (then) McAlpine Stadium back in 1994, now known as the John Smith's Stadium.

The distinctive curved roofline has been a hit with fans and the new ground was instrumental in attracting supporters back as attendances lept from 6,400 at Leeds Road up to just short of 12,000 at the new stadium - a rise of 86%.

Despite the extra fans, Town's on-field finishes haven't improved a great deal, with the average league position going from 49th to 44th.

Old stadium: Leeds Road (1908 - 1994, 86 years)
New stadium: The John Smith's Stadium (Opened 1994, £40m)

Old stadium average attendance: 6,415
New stadium average attendance: 11,987
Difference: +5,572 (+87%)

Old stadium average league position: 49
New stadium average league position: 44
Difference: -5

Average attendance

Leeds Road
1984/19857,238
1985/19866,821
1986/19876,617
1987/19886,617
1988/19895,821
1989/19905,630
1990/19915,351
1991/19927,540
1992/19935,918
1993/19946,372
The John Smith's Stadium
1994/199511,665
1995/199613,151
1996/199712,175
1997/199812,145
1998/199912,980
1999/200014,029
2000/200112,808
2001/200210,881
2002/20039,506
2003/200410,528

League position

Leeds Road
1984/198535
1985/198638
1986/198739
1987/198839
1988/198958
1989/199052
1990/199155
1991/199249
1992/199361
1993/199457
The John Smith's Stadium
1994/199551
1995/199628
1996/199740
1997/199836
1998/199930
1999/200028
2000/200142
2001/200250
2002/200366
2003/200472

Hull City Hull City

The Tigers moved to the KC Stadium in 2002, in what was the beginning of a massive upturn in the club's fortunes - both on and off the pitch.

The last few years at Boothferry Park saw Hull languishing in the 4th division, flirting with relegation to the National League (indeed they narrowly avoided it in 1998 and 1999 when they finished 90th and 89th out of 92). 1997 saw an average attendance of just 3,413 as prospects of a new stadium seemed a long way off.

Since the KC opened, Hull's turnaround has been remarkable - from an 81st place finish in 2003 to promotion to the Premier League just 5 years later. Average position improved from 74th to 39th - an improvement of some 35 places.

The improvement in the stands was even more spectacular. The first 10 years at the KC saw attendances skyrocket by 281%, from 5,078 to 19,351. Indeed the two seasons in the Premier League saw average attendance above 24,000 - that's 21,000 more than they averaged just 12 years before. Perhaps the new stadium came with better signposts.

Old stadium: Boothferry Park (1946 - 2002, 56 years)
New stadium: The KCOM Stadium (Opened 2003, £44m)

Old stadium average attendance: 5,078
New stadium average attendance: 19,351
Difference: +14,273 (+281%)

Old stadium average league position: 74
New stadium average league position: 39
Difference: -35

Average attendance

Boothferry Park
1992/19934,672
1993/19945,943
1994/19954,721
1995/19964,721
1996/19973,413
1997/19984,684
1998/19996,048
1999/20005,736
2000/20016,684
2001/20029,506
The KCOM Stadium
2003/200412,843
2004/200516,847
2005/200618,027
2006/200719,841
2007/200818,758
2008/200918,025
2009/201024,816
2010/201124,390
2011/201221,169
2012/201318,790

League position

Boothferry Park
1992/199366
1993/199455
1994/199554
1995/199654
1996/199785
1997/199890
1998/199989
1999/200082
2000/200174
2001/200279
The KCOM Stadium
2003/200481
2004/200570
2005/200646
2006/200738
2007/200841
2008/200923
2009/201017
2010/201119
2011/201231
2012/201328

Leicester City Leicester City

We know that it all turned out alright in the end, but Leicester first few years at the King Power Stadium (Walkers Stadium, at the time) much have made fans wish they'd never left Filbert Street.

After winning promotion in 1996, the Foxes finished 9th, 10th, 10th, 8th and 13th before being relegated in the final season at their old ground. The first season at the Walkers Stadium saw the club promoted. They were relegated at the first attempt, spent 3 years in mid- table in the Championship before being relegated the England's 3rd tier.

All-in-all, Leicester's average league position fell from 17th to 32nd - one of the biggest drops on our list.

Off the pitch, the much bigger £37m arena saw attendances jump 29% from 18,882 to 24,420. The club's season in the 3rd tier attracted about the same average attendance as their years in the Premier League at Filbert Street.

Old stadium: Filbert Street (1891 - 2002, 111 years)
New stadium: The King Power Stadium (Opened 2002, £37m)

Old stadium average attendance: 18,882
New stadium average attendance: 24,420
Difference: +5,538 (+29%)

Old stadium average league position: 17
New stadium average league position: 32
Difference: +15

Average attendance

Filbert Street
1992/199315,362
1993/199416,009
1994/199519,532
1995/199619,532
1996/199720,184
1997/199820,615
1998/199920,469
1999/200019,827
2000/200120,452
2001/200219,835
The King Power Stadium
2002/200329,231
2003/200430,983
2004/200524,137
2005/200622,234
2006/200723,206
2007/200823,509
2008/200920,253
2009/201023,943
2010/201123,666
2011/201223,037

League position

Filbert Street
1992/199328
1993/199426
1994/199521
1995/199621
1996/19979
1997/199810
1998/199910
1999/20008
2000/200113
2001/200220
The King Power Stadium
2002/200322
2003/200418
2004/200535
2005/200636
2006/200739
2007/200842
2008/200945
2009/201025
2010/201130
2011/201229

Manchester City Manchester City

The City of Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad Stadium) was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The stadium was converted to a football ground after the Games, with City moving in in 2003.

The last few years at Maine Road contained a number of ups and down, with the club spending the 1998/99 season in the third division, before back-to-back promotions saw them return to the Premier League. This (along with a takeover and substantial transfer budget), saw the club improve its average position from 24th to 8th. If we were to take the next 10 years into consideration, their average league position would be even more dramatically improved.

A bigger stadium also meant an increase in attendances, from 29,430 at Maine Road to 44,531 in the first 10 years at the Etihad - an improvement of 51%. Whilst Man City's attendances have improved with more success, it's worth noting that they did average over 28,000 both in their Championship relegation season and their solitary season in League One. Success does bring glory supporters and tourists, but Man City have always had a loyal core fanbase.

Old stadium: Maine Road (1923 - 2003, 80 years)
New stadium: Etihad Stadium (Opened 2003, £154m)

Old stadium average attendance: 29,430
New stadium average attendance: 44,531
Difference: +15,101 (+51%)

Old stadium average league position: 24
New stadium average league position: 8
Difference: -16

Average attendance

Maine Road
1993/199426,709
1994/199522,725
1995/199627,869
1996/199727,869
1997/199828,196
1998/199928,273
1999/200032,088
2000/200134,058
2001/200233,059
2002/200334,565
Etihad Stadium
2003/200446,834
2004/200545,192
2005/200642,856
2006/200739,997
2007/200842,126
2008/200942,900
2009/201045,513
2010/201145,905
2011/201247,015
2012/201346,974

League position

Maine Road
1993/199416
1994/199517
1995/199618
1996/199718
1997/199842
1998/199947
1999/200022
2000/200118
2001/200221
2002/20039
Etihad Stadium
2003/200416
2004/20058
2005/200615
2006/200714
2007/20089
2008/200910
2009/20105
2010/20113
2011/20121
2012/20132

Middlesbrough Middlesbrough

Ayresome Park had been Middlesbrough's home for 92 years before Boro moved into the Riverside Stadium in 1995.

The move to the new £16m ground has been an incredibly positive one, both on and off the pitch. The much bigger stadium led to a massive increase in fans through the gate, with the average attendance more than doubling from 14,546 to 30,955 - an increase of some 113%.

Results on the pitch improved dramatically too - the club spent just one of the last 10 years at Ayresome Park in the top flight, compared to 9 out of the first 10 seasons at the Riverside (including two top 10 finishes). Overall, the average league position improved from 30th to 13th.

Old stadium: Ayresome Park (1903 - 1995, 92 years)
New stadium: The Riverside Stadium (Opened 1995, £16m)

Old stadium average attendance: 14,546
New stadium average attendance: 30,955
Difference: +16,409 (+113%)

Old stadium average league position: 30
New stadium average league position: 13
Difference: -17

Average attendance

Ayresome Park
1985/19866,257
1986/198710,174
1987/198814,509
1988/198914,509
1989/199016,971
1990/199117,023
1991/199214,703
1992/199316,724
1993/199410,400
1994/199518,702
The Riverside Stadium
1995/199629,283
1996/199729,848
1997/199829,994
1998/199934,386
1999/200033,393
2000/200130,747
2001/200228,459
2002/200331,025
2003/200430,398
2004/200532,012

League position

Ayresome Park
1985/198643
1986/198746
1987/198824
1988/198924
1989/199041
1990/199127
1991/199224
1992/199321
1993/199431
1994/199523
The Riverside Stadium
1995/199612
1996/199719
1997/199822
1998/19999
1999/200012
2000/200114
2001/200212
2002/200311
2003/200411
2004/20057

Millwall Millwall

Millwall's old Den (or Cold Blow Lane) was famous for its hostility. Visiting teams (and fans) often feared to go there, so much of the footballing world would have breathed a sigh of relief when the Lions moved into their modern new stadium in 1993 (still known as The Den).

Whilst the hostility hasn't gone away, it's not as difficult to get a result there as the old Den - a fact which has gone on to harm the club on the pitch. From the high of a 10th place finish in 1989, to a low of 62nd less than a decade later, the arrival of the new stadium saw a downturn in the team's performances with average league position slipping from 31st to 42nd.

Despite the lack of success on the pitch, attendances have risen at the new Den - although only by a few hundred, an 8% increase from 8,479 to 9,127.

Old stadium: The Old Den (1910 - 1993, 83 years)
New stadium: The Den (Opened 1993, £16m)

Old stadium average attendance: 8,479
New stadium average attendance: 9,127
Difference: +648 (+8%)

Old stadium average league position: 31
New stadium average league position: 42
Difference: +11

Average attendance

The Old Den
1983/19844,351
1984/19856,470
1985/19865,459
1986/19875,459
1987/19888,417
1988/198915,416
1989/199012,413
1990/199110,846
1991/19927,921
1992/19939,188
The Den
1993/19949,821
1994/19957,685
1995/19969,571
1996/19977,743
1997/19987,023
1998/19996,958
1999/20009,260
2000/200111,442
2001/200213,253
2002/20038,512

League position

The Old Den
1983/198453
1984/198546
1985/198631
1986/198731
1987/198822
1988/198910
1989/199020
1990/199125
1991/199237
1992/199329
The Den
1993/199425
1994/199534
1995/199642
1996/199758
1997/199862
1998/199954
1999/200049
2000/200145
2001/200224
2002/200329

Northampton Town Northampton Town

Northampton's move to Sixfields in 1994 has seen them improve slightly in both of the elements we're looking at.

On the pitch, the club finished 90th, 91st and 92nd in their last 10 years at the County Ground, averaging 76th position overall. The first 10 years at Sixfields saw a small improvement to average 71st, with 87th in their debut season being the worst result of the 10.

Despite only seeing a small improvement on the pitch, Northampton fans took to the new stadium with average attendances increasing by 49% from 3,625 to 5,408.

Old stadium: The County Ground (1897 - 1994, 97 years)
New stadium: Sixfields (Opened 1994, £6m)

Old stadium average attendance: 3,625
New stadium average attendance: 5,408
Difference: +1,783 (+49%)

Old stadium average league position: 76
New stadium average league position: 71
Difference: -5

Average attendance

The County Ground
1984/19851,824
1985/19862,385
1986/19876,316
1987/19886,316
1988/19893,919
1989/19903,190
1990/19913,710
1991/19922,800
1992/19933,139
1993/19943,454
Sixfields
1994/19955,086
1995/19964,831
1996/19974,823
1997/19986,389
1998/19996,071
1999/20005,459
2000/20015,654
2001/20025,253
2002/20035,211
2003/20045,306

League position

The County Ground
1984/198591
1985/198676
1986/198769
1987/198869
1988/198964
1989/199066
1990/199178
1991/199286
1992/199390
1993/199492
Sixfields
1994/199587
1995/199679
1996/199782
1997/199852
1998/199966
1999/200071
2000/200162
2001/200264
2002/200368
2003/200474

Oxford United Oxford United

Oxford United's move from the Manor Ground to the Kassam Stadium hasn't been a great one for the club. More than 20 years after opening, the ground is still 3-sided and the club are investigating the possibility of moving to another new stadium.

In the stands, attendances have fallen by 9% from 6,402 to 5,839. This may have been driven by the slump in results on the pitch which saw Oxford fall more than 40 places from 47th to 89th, culminating in a 4-year spell in the National League.

Old stadium: The Manor Ground (1925 - 2001, 76 years)
New stadium: The Kassam Stadium (Opened 2001, £15m)

Old stadium average attendance: 6,402
New stadium average attendance: 5,839
Difference: -563 (-9%)

Old stadium average league position: 47
New stadium average league position: 89
Difference: +42

Average attendance

The Manor Ground
1991/19925,671
1992/19936,356
1993/19946,877
1994/19956,877
1995/19965,876
1996/19977,608
1997/19987,512
1998/19997,037
1999/20005,790
2000/20015,148
The Kassam Stadium
2001/20026,257
2002/20035,862
2003/20046,296
2004/20055,347
2005/20065,443
2006/20076,332
2007/20084,728
2008/20094,879
2009/20105,966
2010/20117,277

League position

The Manor Ground
1991/199243
1992/199336
1993/199445
1994/199545
1995/199646
1996/199737
1997/199832
1998/199943
1999/200064
2000/200168
The Kassam Stadium
2001/200289
2002/200376
2003/200477
2004/200583
2005/200691
2006/200794
2007/2008101
2008/200999
2009/201095
2010/201180

Reading Reading

Leaving Elm Park in 1998 was a great move for Reading. The new £50m Madejski Stadium has brought about a turnaround in fortunes which saw the club rise from the 3rd Division all the way to the Premier League.

Whilst it might be out-of-town, the Madeski has succeeded in attracting more fans to watch the team. Average attendances have risen from 6,590 to 16,291 - a rise of more than 147%. The club's two seasons in the Premier League saw even more impressive attendances with averages over 23,500 each year.

Old stadium: Elm Park (1896 - 1998, 102 years)
New stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium (Opened 1998, £50m)

Old stadium average attendance: 6,590
New stadium average attendance: 16,291
Difference: +9,701 (+147%)

Old stadium average league position: 48
New stadium average league position: 33
Difference: -15

Average attendance

Elm Park
1988/19895,106
1989/19904,060
1990/19914,079
1991/19924,079
1992/19934,782
1993/19946,932
1994/19959,350
1995/19968,918
1996/19979,160
1997/19989,676
Select Car Leasing Stadium
1998/199911,268
1999/20008,985
2000/200112,647
2001/200214,115
2002/200316,011
2003/200415,095
2004/200517,169
2005/200620,207
2006/200723,829
2007/200823,585

League position

Elm Park
1988/198962
1989/199054
1990/199159
1991/199259
1992/199354
1993/199447
1994/199524
1995/199639
1996/199738
1997/199844
Select Car Leasing Stadium
1998/199955
1999/200054
2000/200147
2001/200246
2002/200324
2003/200429
2004/200527
2005/200621
2006/20078
2007/200818

Rotherham United Rotherham United

Rotherham's last few years before the new stadium was a dark time in the club's history. They were locked out of Millmoor in 2008, having to play 4 seasons at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. Attendances in those last 4 years suffered as fans understandably didn't enjoy playing in a converted athletics stadium in a different city.

The return to Rotherham with the opening of the New York Stadium was welcomed by all fans and attendances rose an impressive 86% from 4,977 to 9,273.

The team responded on the field and Rotherham improved the average league position from 64th to 47th - a rise of some 17 places which also saw the Millers spend 4 of their first 10 seasons in the Championship.

Old stadium: Millmoor (1925 - 2008, 83 years)
New stadium: New York Stadium (Opened 2012, £20m)

Old stadium average attendance: 4,977
New stadium average attendance: 9,273
Difference: +4,296 (+86%)

Old stadium average league position: 63
New stadium average league position: 47
Difference: -16

Average attendance

Millmoor
1998/19997,522
1999/20007,138
2000/20016,272
2001/20026,272
2002/20034,763
2003/20044,201
2004/20053,583
2005/20063,817
2006/20073,667
2007/20083,498
New York Stadium
2012/20137,954
2013/20148,450
2014/201510,240
2015/201610,025
2016/20179,783
2017/20188,514
2018/20199,880
2019/2020-
2020/2021-
2021/20229,337

League position

Millmoor
1998/199935
1999/200037
2000/200144
2001/200244
2002/200367
2003/200477
2004/200582
2005/200673
2006/200777
2007/200878
New York Stadium
2012/201370
2013/201448
2014/201541
2015/201641
2016/201744
2017/201848
2018/201942
2019/202046
2020/202143
2021/202246

Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United

Scunny started the trend of moving into a new stadium when they left the Old Show Ground for Glanford Park in 1988. The new £2.5m stadium was a change from the norm as instead of being located in the town centre, it was built at the end of the M181 motorway, some 2+ miles away from the town.

In terms of league form, the new stadium made absolutely no difference - Scunny's average finishing position before and after the move was 78th.

Scunny did succeed in attracting more fans to the new stadium though - attendances rose by 23% from 2,585 to 3,167.

Old stadium: The Old Showground (1899 - 1988, 89 years)
New stadium: Glanford Park (Opened 1988, £3m)

Old stadium average attendance: 2,585
New stadium average attendance: 3,167
Difference: +582 (+23%)

Old stadium average league position: 78
New stadium average league position: 78
Difference: 0

Average attendance

The Old Showground
1978/19792,721
1979/19802,366
1980/19812,357
1981/19822,357
1982/19833,580
1983/19843,349
1984/19852,068
1985/19861,778
1986/19872,166
1987/19883,233
Glanford Park
1988/19894,547
1989/19903,524
1990/19913,114
1991/19923,190
1992/19933,147
1993/19943,182
1994/19952,917
1995/19962,434
1996/19972,606
1997/19983,006

League position

The Old Showground
1978/197980
1979/198082
1980/198184
1981/198284
1982/198372
1983/198465
1984/198577
1985/198683
1986/198776
1987/198872
Glanford Park
1988/198972
1989/199079
1990/199176
1991/199275
1992/199384
1993/199481
1994/199577
1995/199680
1996/199781
1997/199876

Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town

Gay Meadow had been Shrewsbury's home since 1910 before they moved into the New Meadow in 2007. The £11m stadium has seen a small upturn in fortunes on the pitch, but a big increase in fans in the stands.

Average attendance has risen 59% from 3,519 to 5,603. The team has also produced a small improvement on the pitch, with a 13 place increase from 84th to 71st. That may not sound much, but the club has gone from flirting with relegation to the National League to competing regularly in League One.

Old stadium: Gay Meadow (1910 - 2007, 97 years)
New stadium: The New Meadow (Opened 2007, £11m)

Old stadium average attendance: 3,519
New stadium average attendance: 5,603
Difference: +2,084 (+59%)

Old stadium average league position: 84
New stadium average league position: 71
Difference: -13

Average attendance

Gay Meadow
1997/19982,403
1998/19992,575
1999/20002,832
2000/20012,832
2001/20023,837
2002/20033,656
2003/20044,007
2004/20054,251
2005/20063,997
2006/20074,730
The New Meadow
2007/20085,659
2008/20095,664
2009/20105,482
2010/20115,876
2011/20125,770
2012/20135,736
2013/20145,581
2014/20155,343
2015/20165,407
2016/20175,507

League position

Gay Meadow
1997/199881
1998/199983
1999/200090
2000/200190
2001/200277
2002/200392
2003/200495
2004/200589
2005/200678
2006/200775
The New Meadow
2007/200886
2008/200975
2009/201080
2010/201172
2011/201270
2012/201360
2013/201467
2014/201570
2015/201664
2016/201762

Southampton Southampton

The Dell was a ground famed for its proximity to the pitch as well as its oddly shaped stands. Despite its fame, it was woefully small with a capacity of just 15,000. The biggest surprise was that it took Southampton until 2001 to build a bigger ground.

Attendances more than doubled overnight, with the Saints now attracting more than 30,000 to home games. The 10 year improvement of 69% saw the average rising from 14,935 to 25,306.

The attendance increase was achieved despite a large downturn in form on the pitch as Southampton lost their place in the Premier League and spent two seasons in League One. Their average league position fell from 15th at The Dell to 29th at St Mary's.

Old stadium: The Dell (1898 - 2001, 103 years)
New stadium: St Mary's Stadium (Opened 2001, £32m)

Old stadium average attendance: 14,935
New stadium average attendance: 25,306
Difference: +10,371 (+69%)

Old stadium average league position: 15
New stadium average league position: 29
Difference: +14

Average attendance

The Dell
1991/199214,070
1992/199315,382
1993/199414,751
1994/199514,751
1995/199614,820
1996/199715,099
1997/199815,159
1998/199915,140
1999/200015,132
2000/200115,115
St Mary's Stadium
2001/200230,633
2002/200330,680
2003/200431,717
2004/200530,610
2005/200623,614
2006/200723,556
2007/200821,254
2008/200917,849
2009/201020,982
2010/201122,161

League position

The Dell
1991/199216
1992/199318
1993/199418
1994/199518
1995/199617
1996/199716
1997/199812
1998/199917
1999/200015
2000/200110
St Mary's Stadium
2001/200211
2002/20038
2003/200412
2004/200520
2005/200632
2006/200726
2007/200840
2008/200943
2009/201051
2010/201146

Stoke City Stoke City

Stoke moved to the new £15m Britannia Stadium (as it was known back then) in 1997. Whilst the ground is certainly more modern than the Victoria Ground, it hasn't resulted in the same sort of improvements we have seen from other teams on this list.

Results-wise, the new stadium has made no impact at all - Stoke's average finishing position at the Victoria Ground was 39th, that improved only one place to 38th in the first 10 years at the Britannia.

Off the pitch, the 14% increase in average attendance is one of the smallest from the teams we have looked at. It may be shinier and newer than the Victoria Ground, but it hasn't had the impact we've seen from other new stadiums.

Old stadium: The Victoria Ground (1878 - 1997, 119 years)
New stadium: bet365 Stadium (The Britannia Stadium) (Opened 1997, £15m)

Old stadium average attendance: 12,684
New stadium average attendance: 14,496
Difference: +1,812 (+14%)

Old stadium average league position: 39
New stadium average league position: 38
Difference: -1

Average attendance

The Victoria Ground
1987/19889,607
1988/19899,817
1989/199012,449
1990/199112,449
1991/199213,007
1992/199316,579
1993/199415,931
1994/199512,910
1995/199612,275
1996/199712,698
bet365 Stadium (The Britannia Stadium)
1997/199815,025
1998/199912,732
1999/200011,426
2000/200113,767
2001/200213,966
2002/200314,588
2003/200416,455
2004/200514,432
2005/200615,749
2006/200716,823

League position

The Victoria Ground
1987/198832
1988/198933
1989/199044
1990/199144
1991/199250
1992/199347
1993/199432
1994/199533
1995/199624
1996/199732
bet365 Stadium (The Britannia Stadium)
1997/199843
1998/199952
1999/200050
2000/200149
2001/200241
2002/200331
2003/200432
2004/200533
2005/200628
2006/200722

Sunderland Sunderland

Roker Park was Sunderland's home for 99 years. Whilst fans were sad to leave, the move to the Stadium of Light has produced great results for the club, both on and off the pitch.

The Black Cats' last season at Roker Park ended relegation from the Premier League. Sunderland's first season at the Stadium of Light saw them finish 3rd in the Championship before winning the league a year later. This was followed by consecutive 7th place finishes in the top flight before they were relegated again in 2003. The rollercoaster ride has seen them improve their average league position from 32nd to 18th.

The team responded to the new stadium as did the fans with the average attendance increasing more than doubling from 17,914 to 36,841 - an increase of almost 20,000.

Old stadium: Roker Park (1898 - 1997, 99 years)
New stadium: The Stadium of Light (Opened 1997, £24m)

Old stadium average attendance: 17,914
New stadium average attendance: 36,841
Difference: +18,927 (+106%)

Old stadium average league position: 32
New stadium average league position: 18
Difference: -14

Average attendance

Roker Park
1987/198817,425
1988/198914,878
1989/199017,987
1990/199117,987
1991/199218,390
1992/199317,258
1993/199416,934
1994/199515,344
1995/199617,482
1996/199720,865
The Stadium of Light
1997/199833,492
1998/199938,577
1999/200041,375
2000/200146,791
2001/200246,745
2002/200339,698
2003/200427,119
2004/200528,821
2005/200633,904
2006/200731,887

League position

Roker Park
1987/198845
1988/198931
1989/199026
1990/199126
1991/199240
1992/199343
1993/199434
1994/199542
1995/199621
1996/199718
The Stadium of Light
1997/199823
1998/199921
1999/20007
2000/20017
2001/200217
2002/200320
2003/200423
2004/200521
2005/200620
2006/200721

Swansea City Swansea City

Swansea have won. In the battle of whose new ground has brought them the biggest turnaround in fortunes, ladies and gentlemen look no further than Swansea City.

The Vetch was a famous old stadium and home to Swansea for 93 years. With the opening of the Liberty Stadium came a seismic shift in the club's fortunes.

Let's start with the most important aspect of football - how the team performs on a Saturday afternoon. The final years at the Vetch saw the Swans struggling with two 88th and one 89th finish in the last 10 years. However, within 10 years of the Liberty Stadium opening, Swansea had finished 12th, 11th, 9th and 8th in the Premier League! From an average of 76th, Swansea managed to climb an incredible 50 places all the way up to 26th.

Success on the pitch enticed fans back to the stands as the Swans more than trebled their average attendance. Back in the 1995/96 season, the club averaged less than 3,000. Less than 20 years later, their average grew to over 20,000 in the Premier League. Taking into account the last 10 years at the Vetch and first 10 at the Liberty, Swansea's average gate was up a whopping 232% - from 5,051 to 16,773.

Old stadium: Vetch Field (1912 - 2005, 93 years)
New stadium: The Liberty Stadium (Opened 2005, £27m)

Old stadium average attendance: 5,051
New stadium average attendance: 16,773
Difference: +11,722 (+232%)

Old stadium average league position: 76
New stadium average league position: 26
Difference: -50

Average attendance

Vetch Field
1995/19962,996
1996/19973,850
1997/19983,443
1998/19993,443
1999/20005,895
2000/20014,913
2001/20023,690
2002/20035,160
2003/20046,853
2004/20058,458
The Liberty Stadium
2005/200614,112
2006/200712,720
2007/200813,520
2008/200915,187
2009/201015,407
2010/201115,507
2011/201219,946
2012/201320,370
2013/201420,407
2014/201520,555

League position

Vetch Field
1995/199666
1996/199773
1997/199888
1998/199988
1999/200069
2000/200167
2001/200288
2002/200389
2003/200478
2004/200571
The Liberty Stadium
2005/200650
2006/200751
2007/200845
2008/200928
2009/201027
2010/201123
2011/201211
2012/20139
2013/201412
2014/20158

Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur

Like their great rivals Arsenal, Spurs have needed a new stadium for a number of years. White Hart Lane's capacity of under 40,000 was nowhere near enough. As a result, when the club moved into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019, attendances shot up by 60% to over 56,000 (ignoring the Covid-19 years).

The new stadium was built on the same site as White Hart Lane meant that Spurs spent a season playing their home matches at Wembley Stadium. That 2017/2018 season saw the club average over 68,000 - although that's still a fair way short of Wembley's 90,000 capacity.

It's difficult to gauge the impact the new stadium has had on the pitch. Spurs had a 2nd place finish at White Hart Lane in 2016/2017 and averaged 4th place before moving to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They've been there or there abouts n the first years at the new ground too. After 2 years, they are still trophyless.

Old stadium: White Hart Lane (1899 - 2017, 118 years)
New stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Opened 2019, £1000m)

Old stadium average attendance: 35,318
New stadium average attendance: 56,428
Difference: +21,110 (+60%)

Old stadium average league position: 4
New stadium average league position: 5
Difference: +1

Average attendance

White Hart Lane
2007/200835,794
2008/200935,704
2009/201036,026
2010/201136,026
2011/201235,808
2012/201335,728
2013/201435,776
2014/201531,639
2015/201668,052
2016/201754,216
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
2019/2020-
2020/2021-
2021/202256,428
2022/2023-
2023/2024-
2024/2025-
2025/2026-
2026/2027-
2027/2028-
2028/2029-

League position

White Hart Lane
2007/20084
2008/20095
2009/20104
2010/20114
2011/20126
2012/20135
2013/20143
2014/20152
2015/20163
2016/20174
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
2019/20206
2020/20217
2021/20224
2022/20230
2023/20240
2024/20250
2025/20260
2026/20270
2027/20280
2028/20290

Walsall Walsall

Walsall moved into the Bescot over 30 years ago, so it's really not a very new stadium at all. The impact of moving from Fellows Park has been a negative one though, in both of the areas we're evaluating.

Walsall's average attendance dropped over 7% from 4,706 to 4,362. However there were signs that fans are returning as the 6,779 average in the 10th year at the Bescot was higher than any average in the previous 19 years.

But most importantly, the new ground has had no positive effect on the pitch. The Saddlers have fallen an average of 11 places since moving to the Bescot - from 55th to 66th, although much of this damage was done in the first few seasons. The team finished 84th and 85th in those first two years before climbing to finishes as high as 46th and 42nd in years 9 and 10 at the Bescot.

Old stadium: Fellows Park (1896 - 1990, 94 years)
New stadium: The Bescot (Opened 1990, £5m)

Old stadium average attendance: 4,706
New stadium average attendance: 4,362
Difference: -344 (-7%)

Old stadium average league position: 55
New stadium average league position: 66
Difference: +11

Average attendance

Fellows Park
1980/19814,265
1981/19823,744
1982/19833,243
1983/19843,243
1984/19854,812
1985/19864,891
1986/19875,313
1987/19885,598
1988/19896,104
1989/19904,077
The Bescot
1990/19914,149
1991/19923,367
1992/19933,628
1993/19944,237
1994/19954,071
1995/19963,982
1996/19973,892
1997/19984,062
1998/19995,457
1999/20006,779

League position

Fellows Park
1980/198164
1981/198264
1982/198354
1983/198454
1984/198555
1985/198650
1986/198752
1987/198847
1988/198944
1989/199068
The Bescot
1990/199184
1991/199285
1992/199375
1993/199480
1994/199572
1995/199655
1996/199756
1997/199863
1998/199946
1999/200042

West Ham United West Ham United

West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium (now known as the London Stadium) was a very controversial one. The Hammers fought against Spurs for the right to play at the ground - a decision which angered many, including local side Leyton Orient who argued that the stadium's location breached FA rules about clubs being situated too close to each other.

Many Hammers fans were less than pleased to see an end to Upton Park as well. The Boleyn Ground had been the club's home since 1904 and held a special place in supporters' hearts.

Fans weren't happy when the club eventually moved in 2016. The opening games were fraught with problems including security issues and protests about the state of the stadium with some stands being situated very far from the pitch and gaps being seen in the structure.

Despite a lack of love for the ground, attendances have risen by 70% from 33,982 to 57,772. This is due to rise further, with some capacity restrictions now lifted to enable up to 63,000 fans to attend. Eventually the local council should allow this figure to grow to the stadium capacity of 66,000.

Old stadium: Upton Park (Boleyn Ground) (1904 - 2016, 112 years)
New stadium: London Stadium (Olympic Stadium) (Opened 2016, £760m)

Old stadium average attendance: 33,982
New stadium average attendance: 57,772
Difference: +23,790 (+70%)

Old stadium average league position: 14
New stadium average league position: 11
Difference: -3

Average attendance

Upton Park (Boleyn Ground)
2006/200734,719
2007/200834,601
2008/200933,700
2009/201033,700
2010/201133,492
2011/201230,923
2012/201334,720
2013/201434,197
2014/201534,871
2015/201634,910
London Stadium (Olympic Stadium)
2016/201756,972
2017/201856,885
2018/201958,336
2019/2020-
2020/2021-
2021/202258,894
2022/2023-
2023/2024-
2024/2025-
2025/2026-

League position

Upton Park (Boleyn Ground)
2006/200715
2007/200810
2008/20099
2009/20109
2010/201120
2011/201223
2012/201310
2013/201413
2014/201512
2015/20167
London Stadium (Olympic Stadium)
2016/201711
2017/201813
2018/201910
2019/202016
2020/20216
2021/20227
2022/20230
2023/20240
2024/20250
2025/20260

Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic

The turnaround in fortunes since Wigan left Springfield Park in 1999 has been nothing short of miraculous.

In the last years at their old ground, Wigan had been hovering between the 3rd and 4th divisions, finishing as low as 89th in the 1993/94 season.

The move to the JJB Stadium (as it was known then) saw the club climb through the leagues, establishing themselves as a Premier League team with finishes of 10th and 11th in the mid to late 2010s.

Wigan are often looked down upon for their small attendances, but for a town barely over 100,000 and with both Manchester and Merseyside clubs close by, it's easy to see why they don't always get as many fans as some other teams. However, the move to the new stadium (and impressive climb up the English footballing ladder) saw attendances rise by an incredible 315% - beating even Brighton to top spot on this list! The last 10 years at Springfield Park saw average crowds of just 2,980, including a low of 1,832 in 1994/95. Just 11 years later, the club averaged over 20,000 as it finished 10th in the Premier League.

Old stadium: Springfield Park (1897 - 1999, 102 years)
New stadium: DW Stadium (Opened 1999, £30m)

Old stadium average attendance: 2,980
New stadium average attendance: 12,410
Difference: +9,430 (+316%)

Old stadium average league position: 67
New stadium average league position: 30
Difference: -37

Average attendance

Springfield Park
1989/19902,758
1990/19912,889
1991/19922,851
1992/19932,851
1993/19941,897
1994/19951,832
1995/19962,856
1996/19973,899
1997/19983,968
1998/19994,250
DW Stadium
1999/20007,007
2000/20016,774
2001/20025,772
2002/20037,288
2003/20049,531
2004/200511,563
2005/200620,610
2006/200718,159
2007/200819,046
2008/200918,350

League position

Springfield Park
1989/199062
1990/199154
1991/199261
1992/199361
1993/199489
1994/199584
1995/199678
1996/199769
1997/199855
1998/199950
DW Stadium
1999/200048
2000/200150
2001/200254
2002/200345
2003/200427
2004/200522
2005/200610
2006/200717
2007/200814
2008/200911
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