Stamford Bridge – Chelsea’s only ever home – has been the Blues’ stadium since their formation in 1905. Since then, their Fulham-based home has gone through countless changes, renovations, modernisations and developments in its long history. From FA Cup finals to NFL games, the London home has been a valuable asset to both the city and the Blues.
Predating the Blues
Stamford Bridge existed long before Chelsea were founded, originally built in 1877, almost 30 years prior to Chelsea’s existence. In these early years, it was used as the home of ‘London Athletic Club’ and this was its main use. A running track circled the pitch, and other typical athletics pitches and tracks formed the foundation of the stadium.
However, in 1904, brothers Gus and Joseph Mears acquired the stadium with a dream of a professional football club calling it home. Originally, it was offered to Fulham FC, who were unable to move in due to financial constraints. Instead, Chelsea were founded to call the stadium home, and a rivalry with Fulham was formed that would last over 100 years.
Ever since then, Chelsea have played their home games in SW6 and have not looked back, being one of the few remaining Premier League teams to still play their home games at their original home.
Stamford Bridge by the Stats
Over the past 120 years, Stamford Bridge has seen its capacity go up and down, the stands change and the pitch surroundings alter many times. Some of its standout moments include:
- Record Capacity – 82,905 – Chelsea vs Arsenal, 1935.
- Current Capacity – 40,341.
- It has hosted numerous other sports including cricket, NFL, greyhound racing and both rugby league and rugby union.
- The famous ‘Shed End’ was demolished in 1994 as a response to issues related to fan standing following the Hillsborough disaster.
- Stamford Bridge hosted the FA Cup final between 1920 and 1922, before being replaced by the Old Wembley Stadium.
- Stamford Bridge last hosted an International Match in 2013, playing host to a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Russia.
London’s Legacy
Whilst Stamford Bridge has never been the biggest or most flashy stadia when comparing it to Manchester United’s Old Trafford, or Liverpool’s Anfield, it has developed an outstanding legacy in London and is one of the city’s finest landmarks.
Since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, Stamford Bridge went from a mid-tier Premier League stadium to a modern powerhouse within London. The trophies have flooded in, and the state of the art innovations to both Stamford Bridge and Cobham have directly coincided to Chelsea’s success on the pitch.
In recent years, the hotels attached to Stamford Bridge were open to NHS staff to say at for free during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping critical members of staff during an unprecedented time. When fans were banned from the stadium during the outbreak, Stamford Bridge also turned into a pop-up vaccine centre, helping fight the Covid virus during the cold winter months.
Long-Term Future in Doubt
Across the past decade, Chelsea have been heavily rumoured to be looking for a new home, desiring a larger stadium to bring up to speed with the other major UK clubs, whilst also allowing them to create a modern powerhouse of a stadium – akin to Tottenham’s new stadium.
Whilst developments are slow, and potential new homes or locations are constantly discussed and dismissed, it remains to be seen what the long-term future of Stamford Bridge will be. But for now, Chelsea’s Men and Women’s team will continue to call the Fulham Road stadium home and it will undoubtedly play host to numerous more entertaining spectacles for fans.
