Football stadiums hold a certain level of importance in football culture.
These days we’re seeing more and more modern arenas being built to coincide with the influx of significant financial investment and rapidly developing global technology, but only a handful of clubs are able to go down that route.
Others have to make do with their old fashioned stadiums, and they’re the ones many fans will claim to be the best. While Tottenham’s new stadium is impressive, nothing beats a classic looking football ground.
So we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rank the Premier League stadiums from worst to best.
A lot of fans won’t agree with the result, but take a look and see where your club’s stadium is ranked…
20. Crystal Palace
Selhurst Park can create an electric atmosphere when Crystal Palace are on song, but the ground is in desperate need of an improvement to the facilities.
For some away fans, there is a pole in-between themselves and the action, so even watching the action unfold can be tricky. The stadium is in need of refurbishing.
19. Burnley
Turf Moor is an old-fashioned ground, but an electric atmosphere is rare.
Often a vast viewing of empty seats, there is no intimidation factor and is somewhat becoming outdated as a ground.
There is no special element to the ground which entices you in. Many stadiums are better in the Premier League and would be more suited to a Championship club.
18. AFC Bournemouth
The Vitality Stadium has the smallest capacity in the Premier League at just 11,329. A trip down to the south-coast for away fans can be an enjoyable day out, but as a stadium, it does not impress.
Another example of a ground that needs improving and increasing capacity could help.
17. Watford
Vicarage Road has endured recent renovations but still struggles to impress spectators.
The Graham Taylor stand has a massive flaw where the first few rows cannot be used, as they divert into the ground and you are too low down for the action.
This leaves many empty seats and dissolves any potential atmosphere that could be created from that stand.
16. Southampton
There is nothing unique about St Mary’s Stadium. Has the potential, but lack of attendance brings the rating down.
They need to find a way to fill the stands. It is good for away fans, packed out behind the goal, but the home support lets it down.
The design is generic and does not capture the ordinary spectator if they don’t have an attachment to the club.
15. Brighton & Hove Albion
It is a unique design with the arch of the Amex Stadium. The modern facilities are impressive and is a very aesthetically pleasing ground.
However, the lack of atmosphere again brings this stadium ranking down. It has potential but needs improvements to generate atmosphere.
14. West Ham United
London Stadium is often mocked for not being a “football” stadium, but fans still manage to create an atmosphere – more often than not.
People often criticise the design for away fans with a large gap between upper and lower tiers.
If West Ham’s owners purchased the stadium, they could potentially make adjustments to change it into more of a “football” stadium.
Not close to the best, but still not the worst.
13. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Molineux Stadium is a great example of an old-fashioned ground. The stands are close to the pitch, it’s intimidating to visit as an away fan, and overall, it is a good stadium.
However, away fans are packed on the lower tier, making it very difficult to connect and generate an away atmosphere. Moving the positioning of the away fans would significantly improve the ranking for this stadium.
12. Everton
Goodison Park is filled with emotion, sentimental value and history. It has been an excellent stadium over the years, but it is in desperate need of refurbishment.
Everton should keep in touch with the old, iconic look, but improve the facilities generally and renovate the stands to gain a higher ranking.
11. Norwich City
Carrow Road. A 27,00-seater with excellent traditions and values.
A great trip for the traveling fans, but the use of clappers to generate an atmosphere somewhat tarnishes the reputation. The stands are tight to the pitch and old-fashioned, and overall it is a good stadium.