The earlier Wembley Stadium, originally called the Empire Stadium, was often referred to as “The Twin Towers” and was one of the world’s most famous foot ball stadiums until its demolition in 2003.
The all – seated stadium is based around a bowl design with a capacity of 90.000 protected from the elements by a sliding roof that does not completely enclose it. The stadium’s signature feature is a circular section lattice arch of 7 m internal diameter with a 315 m span, erected some 22’ off true, and rising to 133m. The archway is the world’s longest unsupported roof structure. Instead of the 39 steps climbed, in the Royal Box and collect a trophy, there are now 107.
Designed by Foster and Partners and HOK Sport (now Populous), it includes a partially retractable roof. A signature feature of the stadium, following on from the old Wembley’s distinctive Twin Towers, is the 134 - meter – high Wembley Arch. With a span of 317 meters, this steel arch is the longest single – span roof structure in the world and, uniquely for a stadium requires beacons for low – flying aircraft.
The stadium roof has an area of 40,000 m2, of which 13,722 m2 is movable. The primary reason for the sliding roof was to avoid shading the pitch, as grass demands direct sunlight to grow effectively. The sliding roof design minimizes the shadow by having the roof pulled back on the east, west and south.
The first match at the stadium was a game played behind closed doors between Multiplex and Wembley Stadium staff. The first game in front of spectators was between the Geoff Thomas Foundation Charity XL and the Wembley Sponsors All stars on 17 March 2007.
London Dreams, a 2009 Bellwood musical film shot one of its scenes at Wembley Stadium in front of an audience estimated at 90,000.
