Women's Football Helps Wembley Welcome Record-Breaking Crowds
More than 2.6 million people poured through the doors of Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, during 2022, in what has been a record-breaking year for the venue.
The stadium has hosted 35 events over the last 12 months including major football finals, heavyweight boxing bouts, an NFL fixture and sell out concerts from some of the biggest names on the globe. Attendance records were shattered in the process.
Highlights for the year included a record attendance of 49,094 for the Women’s FA Cup Final on 15 May. Then in July, 87,192 watched the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 final, the highest ever attendance figure for a Women’s EURO final. It was also a record crowd for any EURO final (men’s or women’s).
It has been a welcome return to large scale events at the stadium following the Covid-19 pandemic which saw several live shows cancelled, or crowds limited, throughout 2020-2021.
Stadium Director Liam Boylan, said: “After almost two years of relative inactivity, it was great to put on major events and see large crowds return once again.
“Wembley has always been the place for the big occasion, and to not be able to do that, to create those history defining moments, was difficult.
“The post-Covid world was a new era for us all and there was a nervousness going into the start of the new year. We just didn’t know what to expect for big events.
“That is why it was so gratifying to bounce back in such style. This year, more than most, has just been exceptional. We are delighted to have set new attendance records for Women’s EUROs, boxing and NFL games and create those magical moments that will go down in history once again.”
Boylan added: “Seeing an England team capture its first major trophy in over 56 years was undoubtedly a highlight, but with over 2.6 million visitors through our doors for all our events, I am sure each and every person who visited Wembley this year will have their own special memory.”
England’s national stadium celebrates its 100th birthday next year. It has been home to some of the UK’s most historic and memorable moments of the last Century including Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup in 1966 to Freddie Mercury at Live Aid in 1985.
Since it first opened its doors on Saturday April 28th 1923 for that year’s FA Cup Final, Wembley has been the main pivot point of football history in England – and for numerous other occasions, all etched into our shared heritage.
The stadium will mark these memorable events of the last 100 years through various planned celebrations next year.
Image: The FA
