Arsenal: The First Club to Call Wembley Stadium Home

When we think of Wembley Stadium, it often conjures images of iconic matches and historic moments. For Tottenham Hotspur fans, it served as their home ground between August 2017 and March 2019. However, Spurs weren’t the first club to adopt Wembley as their temporary home. That honour belongs to Arsenal.

Arsenal played all their UEFA Champions League home games at Wembley during the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons. But why did the Gunners trade their beloved Highbury for England’s largest football arena? The decision boiled down to two key reasons.

Firstly, UEFA's advertising requirements exceeded what Highbury could accommodate at the time. But the second reason tells a more compelling story. Arsenal was planning a new home stadium and needed to convince their financial backers that the club could consistently attract crowds exceeding 60,000. Wembley provided the perfect opportunity to prove this. The plan was a resounding success, with over 71,000 fans attending every home game Arsenal played at Wembley.

Despite their success off the pitch, Arsenal’s record at Wembley left much to be desired. Over two seasons and six matches, the Gunners managed just two wins. Ultimately, they were eliminated from the Champions League on both occasions.

Wembley may not have been a fortress for Arsenal, but it played a significant role in shaping the club’s future. It showcased the potential of their fanbase, laying the groundwork for the Emirates Stadium—a modern home fit for one of football’s most storied clubs.