Key facts
| Address | Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough |
| Capacity | 26,677 seats |
| Build Date | 1903 |
| Demolished | 1997 |
| Record Attendance | 53,596 |
Description
Ayresome Park used to be located in Middlesbrough, the UK. It was built in 1903, and right away became the main training venue of Middlesbrough F.C. It served well for the football club for the next ninety-two years. There were no changes made to the ground until 1937 when a South Stand was built.
In 1949, over 53,000 football fans visited the Middlesbrough F.C./Newcastle United F.C. game held at the stadium. In 17 years, Ayresome Park was chosen for several games of the World Cup. That is why 4,000 more seats were added to the stadium. There were competitions between players from Italia, North Korea, USSR, and Chile.
Over the following several decades, the condition of the stadium got worse, and in 1980, two football fans were killed due to the collapse of one of the pillars. In six years, the ground was locked because of the liquidation of the football club. It was saved, eventually, and the stadium was re-opened.
The capacity of Ayresome Park had to be reduced in order to match the safety requirements, and the stadium could not be renovated because of the limited possibilities of the housing. In 1995, Middlesborough F.C found a new home — the Riverside Stadium, and that is why the stadium was not needed anymore. It was fully ruined in 1997.
FAQ
Ayresome Park was opened in 1903. It served as the home ground for Middlesbrough Football Club for over 92 years, until the club moved to the Riverside Stadium in 1995.
The name “Ayresome” comes from the area where the stadium was located. It’s derived from the old name for the district, which was recorded as “Aresome” in the 12th century. The word is believed to be of Old Norse origin, possibly meaning “Arnold’s estate.”
At its peak, Ayresome Park could hold around 53,802 spectators. However, this capacity was reduced over the years due to safety regulations. By the time it closed in 1995, the capacity had been lowered to approximately 26,000.
Ayresome Park hosted three matches during the 1966 FIFA World Cup. This included games featuring the Soviet Union, North Korea, and Chile. The stadium also witnessed Middlesbrough’s promotion to the First Division in 1974 and their victory against Manchester City in the 1975-76 season, which helped them avoid relegation in dramatic fashion.
After Middlesbrough FC relocated to the Riverside Stadium in 1995, Ayresome Park was demolished in 1997. The site was redeveloped for housing, but the club ensured that the center circle of the pitch was preserved and marked with a commemorative statue, serving as a lasting reminder of the historic ground.
