Wembley Stadium (1923) facts for kids

The famous twin towers were a key part of the stadium's look.

Wembley Stadium was a very famous sports and concert place in London, England. It opened in 1923 and was first called the Empire Stadium. But because it was in an area named "Wembley," people soon started calling it "Wembley Stadium." It was well-known for its two tall towers at the entrance.

Besides being a huge sports venue, Wembley Stadium also hosted many big music concerts. One of the most famous was the Live Aid concert, which happened there in July 1985. This event brought together many famous musicians to raise money for charity.

In the year 2000, the old Wembley Stadium closed its doors for good. It was then taken down in 2003. A brand-new stadium, also called Wembley Stadium, was built in the same spot.

What Was the Old Wembley Stadium?

The original Wembley Stadium was a very important building in British history. It was built for the British Empire Exhibition of 1924, but it opened a year earlier. It quickly became known as the "Home of Football" because it hosted so many important football matches. It could hold around 100,000 people, making it one of the largest stadiums in the world at the time.

Famous Football Matches

Wembley Stadium was most famous for football. It hosted the annual FA Cup Final, which is one of the oldest football competitions in the world. The very first FA Cup Final held there in 1923 was so popular that too many people showed up, and the crowd spilled onto the pitch! A police officer on a white horse, named Billy, helped to control the crowd, making it a legendary event.

The stadium also hosted the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, where England won the World Cup for the first and only time. This was a huge moment for English football fans. Many other international matches and important club games were played there too.

Beyond Football: Other Sports and Events

While football was its main use, Wembley Stadium was also home to other sports. It hosted rugby league finals, including the Rugby League Challenge Cup final every year. It also held athletics events, American football games, and even show jumping.

The stadium was not just for sports. It became a popular place for huge music concerts. Besides Live Aid, artists like Queen, Michael Jackson, and Madonna performed there. These concerts drew massive crowds and created unforgettable moments.

The End of an Era

After many decades of use, the old Wembley Stadium started to show its age. It was decided that a new, modern stadium was needed. So, in 2000, the stadium closed its doors. It was then carefully taken apart, or demolished, in 2003. This made way for the new Wembley Stadium, which opened in 2007. Even though the old stadium is gone, its history and memories live on.

Images for kids

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  Aerial view of Wembley Stadium in 1991.

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  The Royal Box in April 1986, where trophies were presented.

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  Billy the White Horse, who helped control the crowd at the 1923 FA Cup Final.

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  England playing against Scotland in 1981.

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  The Queen presents the Jules Rimet Trophy to England's captain Bobby Moore after the 1966 World Cup Final.

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  Bristol Rovers playing against Tranmere Rovers in the Leyland DAF Cup Final in 1990.

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  A marching band entertains the crowd before the 1956 Rugby League Cup Final.