Key facts
| Address | Boleyn Ground, Green St, Upton Park, London, E13 9AZ |
| Capacity | 35,647 seats |
| Build Date | 1904 |
| Demolished | 2016 |
| Record Attendance | 42,322 |
Description
Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) used to be a stadium in Upton Park, the UK. The ground was used by West Ham United during 1904-2016. Charlton Athletic also used this football stadium in the 1990s due to financial problems. Boleyn Ground was suitable for 35,016 people.
In 1912, the West Ham rented Green Street House, also referred to as Boleyn Castle, along with the land. In the summer of 1944, a flying bomb destroyed one of the corners of the pitch, which made it impossible for West Ham to use the ground for games. They had to play at other grounds while their football stadium was being repaired. West Ham could come back to the ground in 4 months. From the 1990s, the stadium has undergone a range of serious improvements.
In 1993, South Bank was replaced by the Bobby Moore stand that had two tiers, 9,000 seats, digital clock, and executive boxes. In two years, the Sir Trevor Brooking two-tier stand replaced North Bank. It had 6,000 seats. In 2001, the Dr. Martens stand, a two-tier stand with 15,000 seats, was constructed instead of West Stand. The plans to increase the capacity of the football stadium up to around 40,500 never came true.
In 2006, rumors about the intention of the football club to change the ground started circulating around the city. Over the next several years, there were lots of talks, different decisions made regarding the ground’s fate, and plenty of negotiations conducted until West Ham, finally, signed a 99-year leasing contract in 2013, allowing them to use the Olympic Stadium starting from 2016.
The sale of Boleyn Ground was announced in the next year, and the deal the development company was closed in 2016. The stadium was fully demolished the same year.
FAQ
The Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park, was opened in 1904. It served as the home stadium for West Ham United Football Club for more than a century, until 2016.
The stadium got its name from a historic house that once stood next to the ground. This house, known as Green Street House or Boleyn Castle, was erroneously believed to have been associated with Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Although this connection was later proven to be false, the name stuck and became an important part of the stadium’s identity.
At the time of its closure in 2016, the Boleyn Ground had a seating capacity of 35,016. This made it one of the larger stadiums in London, though not as big as some of the more modern venues built in recent years.
The Boleyn Ground was known for its intimate atmosphere, with stands close to the pitch creating an intense experience for both players and fans. The stadium had four main stands: the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, Bobby Moore Stand, East Stand, and West Stand. The Boleyn Pub, located at the corner of the ground, was a famous meeting point for fans before and after matches.
West Ham United played their final game at the Boleyn Ground on May 10, 2016. The club moved to the larger and more modern London Stadium (formerly the Olympic Stadium) for the 2016-17 season. This move was made to increase capacity, modernize facilities, and help the club grow financially and competitively.
Following West Ham’s departure, the Boleyn Ground was demolished in 2016-2017 to make way for a new residential development. The site has since been redeveloped into housing, with some elements paying tribute to the stadium’s history and West Ham United’s legacy in the area.
