🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EFL CHAMPIONSHIP STADIUMS 2025/26

The Championship 2025/26 is here. A relentless, 46-match gauntlet packed with drama and ambition. We’ve ranked all 24 stadiums from smallest to largest – from humble, historic grounds to major arenas with top-tier ambitions. This season features a comeback for Oxford and back-to-back promotions for Wrexham. From Leyton’s Gaughan Group Stadium to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, we break down what makes each venue unique. The list includes iconic spots like Hillsborough and Deepdale, modernised arenas such as St. Mary’s and the CBS Arena, and promotion-chasers like Leicester, Southampton, and Blackburn.

We explore stadiums shaped by community efforts, tragedy, rebirth, or corporate reinvention. Whether it’s the Kop stand rising in Wrexham, Fratton Park’s old-school charm, or Aston Gate’s rugby-football hybrid, the Championship’s diversity is unmatched. Ready? Here we go!

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0:00 Intro
0:46 24. STōK Cae Ras, Wrexham AFC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/wal/racecourse_ground)
1:20 23. Kassam Stadium, Oxford United (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/kassam_stadium)
1:50 22. MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium, Queens Park Rangers (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/loftus_road)
2:25 21. The Den, Millwall FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/the_new_den)
3:00 20. Fratton Park, Portsmouth FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/fratton_park)
3:34 19. Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/wal/swansea_stadium)
4:03 18. Vicarage Road, Watford FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/vicarage_road)
4:35 17. Deepdale Stadium, Preston North End (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/deepdale_stadium)
5:11 16. MKM Stadium, Hull City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/kc_stadium)
5:46 15. The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/the_hawthorns)
6:23 14. Ashton Gate, Bristol City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/ashton_gate)
6:54 13. The Valley, Charlton Athletic FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/the_valley)
7:34 12. Carrow Road, Norwich City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/carrow_road)
8:08 11. St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/st_andrews_stadium)
8:43 10. Portman Road, Ipswich Town (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/portman_road)
9:15 9. bet365 Stadium, Stoke City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/britannia_stadium)
9:50 8. Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/ewood_park)
10:25 7. Bramall Lane, Sheffield United (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/bramall_lane)
10:57 6. King Power Stadium, Leicester City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/walkers_stadium)
11:35 5. St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/st_marys_stadium)
12:15 4. Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry City (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/ricoh_arena)
12:55 3. Pride Park Stadium, Derby County FC (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/pride_park)
13:34 2. Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/riverside_stadium)
14:13 1. Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield Wednesday (http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/hillsborough)
14:56 Outro

Special thanks to:

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Tony Edwards – https://www.youtube.com/@TheTonyedwards1958
Squadding Quads – https://www.youtube.com/@squaddingquads
Mister Drone UK – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCck6avUApxISvZ163Ub3NOg
John Staines – https://www.youtube.com/@johnstaines5964
South Coast Drones UK – https://www.youtube.com/@SouthCoastDronesUK
High Flying Drone Shots – https://www.youtube.com/@HIGHFLYINGDRONESHOTS
DFDVP (Drone Videography & Photography) – https://www.youtube.com/@DFDVP
FlyBee’s Adventures – https://www.youtube.com/@flybees.adventures
Over my head Drone – https://www.youtube.com/@stevehamiltonukable

The new-look Championship kicks off! A gruelling 
46-game marathon where only the strongest survive and earn promotion to the best league 
in the world. The pace is relentless, the stakes are high. But what do these 
battles look like from the stands? Here’s our look at the 24 stadiums set to host 
the Championship in 2025/26 season. From compact, historic grounds to modern arenas with 
top-flight ambitions. Ranked from smallest to largest by capacity. Ready? Let’s go!
StadiumDB.com presents: Sky Bet CHAMPIONSHIP STADIUMS season 2025/2026
24th place. STōK Cae Ras, capacity: 10,000, Wrexham AFC
Racecourse Ground, opened in 1807, is the world’s oldest pro football stadium 
still in use. Home to Wrexham AFC, now owned by Hollywood stars, it’s the biggest venue in 
North Wales. The iconic Kop stand from 1952 will be replaced by a new 5,500-seat stand designed 
by Populous. Wrexham’s rise to the Championship feels like a movie script.
23th place. Kassam Stadium, capacity: 12,500, Oxford United FC
Kassam Stadium replaced the old Manor Ground, but its construction faced delays due 
to financial issues. Opened in 2001, it marked a tough era for Oxford United, 
who dropped to the fifth tier by 2006. Now, ahead of the 2025/26 season, the club is set for 
its second straight year in the Championship. 22nd place. MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium, 
capacity: 18,439, Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road, in London’s Shepherd’s Bush, is home 
to QPR and was the first British stadium with an artificial pitch, used from 1981 to 1988. It 
reverted to its original name in 2022, with a MATRADE sponsorship added in 2023. The ground 
has also hosted clubs like Fulham, AFC Wimbledon, and rugby side London Wasps.
21st place. The Den, capacity: 20,146, Millwall FC
The Den, home of Millwall FC, opened in 1993 as the first UK stadium 
designed to meet Taylor Report safety standards after Hillsborough. It replaced 
the old Den, once holding 50,000 fans with minimal seating. The new version is simpler, 
with open corners and a practical layout. Millwall remains known for both its passionate 
support and controversial fan reputation. 20th place. Fratton Park, 
capacity: 20,688, Portsmouth FC Fratton Park, built in 1898, is one of England’s 
oldest stadiums. Its iconic corner “cottage” is a remnant of the Archibald Leitch era. It hosted 
the first English league match under floodlights and was the last Premier League ground with 
an uncovered stand. Today, it features two double-tiered side stands and single-tiered 
ends, retaining its classic charm. 19th place, Swansea.com Stadium, 
capacity: 21,000, Swansea City Originally called White Rock during planning, 
Swansea’s stadium opened in 2005 as the New Stadium Swansea before Liberty acquired naming 
rights. Built on a former copper works site, it holds 21,000 fans in a simple, single-tier 
design. Conference spaces are located only in the main stand.
18th place. Vicarage Road, capacity: 22,200, Watford FC
Vicarage Road has been home to Watford FC since 1922. In 2002, financial troubles forced the 
club to sell the stadium, but it was bought back in 2004 thanks to the “Let’s Buy Back The Vic” 
campaign and support from fans, including Elton John. Over the years, the venue also hosted 
Wealdstone F.C. and rugby club Saracens. 17th place. Deepdale Stadium, 
capacity: 23,404, Preston North End Deepdale has been in use since 1878, originally 
for cricket and rugby. It began hosting league football in 1888 with Preston North End. 
In the 1920s, it saw upgrades including embankment terraces and a west stand, which stood 
until the 1990s. From 2001 to 2010, it housed the National Football Museum as one of the founding 
members of the professional football league. 16th place. MKM Stadium, 
capacity: 25,586, Hull City Built in 2002, Hull’s MKM Stadium serves both 
Hull City and Hull FC. Construction took 14 months and cost £44 million. The municipally owned 
venue features black, white, and orange stands, with blue and gold towers reflecting 
city colours. Besides football and rugby, it has hosted concerts by artists like 
Elton John, R.E.M., and Bon Jovi. 15th place. The Hawthorns, capacity: 
26,688, West Bromwich Albion The Hawthorns is a unique stadium, situated at 
168 metres above sea level – the highest of all league grounds in England. The stadium consists 
of four stands: the two-tiered East Stand, which houses the club’s offices; the West Stand, 
featuring VIP areas; the Birmingham Road End, where the loudest Albion fans create the 
atmosphere; and the Smethwick End, which is partially allocated to away supporters.
14th place. Ashton Gate, capacity: 27,000, Bristol City
Ashton Gate has been shared by Bristol City FC and the local rugby team for over a 
century. Major redevelopment between 2014 and 2016 increased capacity to 27,000. The new two-tiered 
West Stand modernised the venue, while smaller upgrades across other stands improved comfort 
and functionality for fans of both sports. 13th place. The Valley, capacity: 
27,111, Charlton Athletic The Valley was built in unique fashion, 
as fans transformed a chalk quarry into a usable pitch with embankments. Today, it 
features four stands, including two-tiered West and North Stands. Renovated in the 
1990s to meet Premier League standards, expansion plans were later shelved after the 
club’s relegation to the lower leagues. We’re halfway through, so it’s a good moment to 
ask you for a like and a subscription – thanks for the support! Now, let’s move on to 
the bigger stadiums in our ranking. 12th place. Carrow Road, 
capacity: 27,359, Norwich City When Norwich City’s pitch collapsed in 1935, 
the club urgently built a new stadium on Carrow Road — completed in just 82 days, earning the 
nickname “eighth wonder of the world.” In the 1980s, safety regulations led to major 
upgrades, especially after a 1984 fire. The stadium became all-seater, and a hotel 
was later added in one of its corners. 11th place. St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead 
Park, capacity: 29,409, Birmingham City St. Andrew’s was built in 1906, about a kilometre 
from Birmingham City’s previous ground. It suffered damage during wartime bombings 
and fire. Despite upgrades in the 1950s, the stadium declined. After a tragic 
incident in 1985, a full redevelopment began, ending in 1999 with three new stands built 
and the main stand fully refurbished. 10th place. Portman Road, 
capacity: 29,673, Ipswich Town Portman Road has been home to Ipswich Town 
since 1884 and boasts over 140 years of history. It has hosted football and concerts, including 
a performance by local fan Ed Sheeran. After the club’s 2024 promotion to the Premier 
League, the stadium was upgraded with new media facilities and a heated hybrid 
pitch to meet top-tier standards. 9th place. bet365 Stadium, 
capacity: 30,089, Stoke City When Stoke City decided to leave the old Victoria 
Ground in 1994, work on a new stadium began in 1996. It cost £14.7 million and was funded by the 
club, the city, and the Football Trust. Initially co-owned, the club became sole owner in 2007. 
In 2012, a south-east corner expansion pushed capacity past 30,000.
8th place. Ewood Park, capacity: 31,367, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers have played at Ewood Park since 1890. In the 1990s, a major transformation began, 
driven by a local industrialist and lifelong fan. The two-tiered Blackburn End and Darwen End were 
completed in 1994, followed by the Jack Walker Stand a year later. The redevelopment made 
Ewood Park one of the country’s most modern stadiums at the time.
7th place. Bramall Lane, capacity: 32,050, Sheffield United
Bramall Lane is one of the most historic stadiums in England — the oldest large venue in 
the world still hosting professional football matches. Originally a cricket ground, it takes 
its name from the Bramall family, who owned the surrounding land. Since 1889, it has been home to 
Sheffield United, but it also hosted The Wednesday F.C. and Sheffield FC in the past.
6th place. King Power Stadium, capacity: 32,261, Leicester City
King Power Stadium has been the home of Leicester City since 2002. It was built after Filbert 
Street became too small for the club’s ambitions. The opening coincided with a challenging period 
marked by relegation and financial troubles. Ownership was transferred to Teachers Insurance 
but later repurchased by King Power in 2013. Many fans still affectionately refer to it as 
Filbert Way, in tribute to the club’s roots. 5th place. St. Mary’s Stadium, 
capacity: 32,384, Southampton FC In the 1980s, as Southampton FC thrived, 
the limitations of the Dell grew clear. Though modernised, it wasn’t until the late 
1990s that relocation became possible. St Mary’s Stadium was built for around £32 
million, featuring single-tiered stands and a design allowing expansion to 50,000. 
A translucent roof brings natural light, and 46 VIP suites honour club legends. It 
has been home to the club since 2001. 4th place. Coventry Building Society 
Arena, capacity: 32,609, Coventry City In the heart of Coventry stands the CBS Arena 
– a modern sports and leisure complex that also includes a hotel, casino, large exhibition hall, 
and shopping centre. Built on the site of former gasworks, the stadium has had a turbulent history 
from the outset. In 2023, a new agreement was signed with Frasers Group, ensuring that 
Coventry City would remain at the venue for another five years. The CBS Arena was also 
the first fully cashless stadium in the UK. 3rd place. Pride Park Stadium, 
capacity: 33,597, Derby County In the late 1990s, Derby County had to leave the 
outdated Baseball Ground, whose capacity dropped to 17,500 after Hillsborough. Pride Park was based 
on Middlesbrough’s design but saw over 30 changes, including roofline adjustments and a commercial 
building in the north-west corner. The stadium officially opened in 1997, becoming the first 
in England to be inaugurated by a reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
2nd place. Riverside Stadium, capacity: 34,742, Middlesbrough FC
After the Hillsborough disaster, Middlesbrough chose to leave Ayresome Park 
and build a new stadium by the River Tees. The Riverside Stadium opened in 1995 with 30,000 
seats; corners were filled in three years later to boost capacity. Following promotion in 
2016, upgrades included LED floodlights, accessibility platforms, a VIP lounge in the East 
Stand, and two TV studios in the South Stand. 1st place. Hillsborough Stadium, 
capacity: 34,835, Sheffield Wednesday Hillsborough has a complex history, shaped by 
both success and tragedy. On 15 April 1989, 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives due to 
overcrowding and organisational failures during an FA Cup semi-final. The disaster led to 
a ban on standing terraces and the introduction of stricter safety standards. Despite its past, 
Hillsborough remains a vibrant ground, regularly drawing almost 30,000 Sheffield Wednesday fans 
to each home match in the Championship. And that’s the end of our list. But if this 
list were based purely on atmosphere and energy – not capacity – who would take the top 
spot? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe, because we’re on the highway to 100k subs 
and there’s more to come. See you soon!