Is West London home to the city’s best football stadiums?

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London is a hotbed of the highest standard of football, featuring the signature stadium in the world in the form of Wembley Stadium along with several outstanding club venues.

Those aiming to visit a capital city where football is not in short supply have picked the perfect spot. Football is part of the culture of the United Kingdom, especially in the Big Smoke. There are grounds situated across London that cater to all standards of the game. But West London in particular is home to some stadium favourites.

Below you’ll find a fine selection of venues in this part of the world to cater to all budgets.

Chelsea

The Premier League is the most popular league in the world and watching a match should be on your to-do list if visiting London. But which venue is the right one? 

Chelsea is certainly a team to command your attention as one of the most successful teams of the modern era. The Blues have won the crown five times since 2004, despite a constant change in the cast of characters in the boardroom, dugout, and on the field. Graham Potter is the latest manager to take control of Chelsea’s side on the field and his teams are renowned for playing an attractive style of football that is easy on the eye. 

Stamford Bridge is a historic venue that has seen some of the all-time Premier League greats play at the peak of their powers such as Gianfranco Zola, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, and Eden Hazard. The stadium has a decent capacity of 41,837, although the club has made no secret of their desire to expand the ground to match the attendance figures of their rivals. It is quite an old-fashioned venue, allowing fans to be near the action, especially around the dugout. You know you will see and hear everything, which makes it all the more appealing, considering the number of infamous spats that have occurred at the Bridge. 

It is one of the most expensive grounds to attend in the Premier League, so bear that in mind before committing yourself. Tickets for an adult start at £48 and can rise as high as £76 depending on where you choose to sit. Availability could also be an issue notably for games against bigger opponents such as Liverpool and Manchester City. The nearest tube station, Fulham Broadway, is just a five-minute walk from the ground and trains will run regularly on the District Line on match days to accommodate for the number of supporters attending games. 

QPR

The Championship has seen a decline in the number of London-based teams due to the success of Watford and Brentford in attaining promotion to the top flight. However, one club that has been present in the second tier for a considerable period is Queens Park Rangers. QPR are a community club, which is evident in the name of their ground the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium where both the men’s and women’s teams play.

There is a wholesome feel around the club, and watching them can be an enjoyable experience, There has been a great deal of turnover in the dugout recently, but the club has now appointed Neil Critchley in a bid to secure stability. It’s a cosy atmosphere with a capacity of 18,439, making it one of the smaller venues in the Championship. Tickets can cost from £20 upwards for adults and transport links are once again simple as the stadium is within walking distance of Wood Lane and White City underground stations – which, crucially, are in the West.

Wimbledon

We find ourselves, once again, in the city’s West. AFC Wimbledon is one of the youngest teams in the Football League having been founded in 2002. You will be backing an underdog if you attend a match at Plough Lane, with the Dons backed a 150/1 as of December 12th in the football betting odds to win League Two – pretty shoddy given their only recent relegation to this lower tier of English football.

AFC Wimbledon still has a loyal following after being created by fans that were disillusioned when the old club based in the region moved to Milton Keynes. Therefore, the supporters that back the Dons are extremely passionate. Plough Lane has developed nicely over the years into a 9,200 all-seater stadium. It has pleasing aesthetics and a good atmosphere to watch the game. Ticket prices begin at around £20 for adults, although they are considerably cheaper for seniors and children. Wimbledon Park is the tube station you require for the ground, while Eastleigh station is also in the vicinity of overground transport links.

Much like the rest of the city, football is at the heart of culture in West London. By visiting these grounds you will certainly be soaking up a key piece of the city that cannot be replicated elsewhere