When it is completed early in 2006, Wembley Stadium will be the finest stadium in the world. Offering unbeatable, unobstructed views of the pitch for 90,000 fans (11,000 more seats than the old Wembley), it will be three times the size of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and twice the size of Stadium Australia.

The FA is a not-for-profit organisation, responsible for protecting and developing the entire game of football in England. This includes:

 

·         37,500 clubs

·         2,000 leagues and competitions

·         27,000 referees

·         45,000 pitches

·         7 million adult participants

·         5 million young players

 

Our annual investment in the game’s grassroots is over £50 million - but football alone cannot meet the challenges provided by the scale of our game. Three-quarters of all football in England is played on public facilities, which are in desperate need of improvement. 

Our work has revealed the need for £2 billion of investment in grassroots facilities just to meet the public’s current demand to play the game.

 

It is in this context that The FA’s business plan for Wembley was drawn up and that Sport England agreed to contribute £120 million to buy the old Wembley Stadium, so that it could be redeveloped. The new Wembley Stadium will help The FA to support the national game, by providing a new income stream to reinvest in football. 

 

Football and sport in general have a major role to play in improving the nation’s health and fitness, which is one of the government’s key priorities. By redeveloping Wembley Stadium, The FA is playing a part in achieving this long-term goal.  We would welcome as much public debate on this crucial issue as there has been on the redevelopment of the national stadium.

 

  • Work is currently ahead of schedule and on budget, and is already subject to the highest standards of public scrutiny.  Wembley will provide all fans with unrivalled facilities.

 

  • The Club Wembley boxes and 10-year seat licences, which generate the majority of the stadium’s income, are selling rapidly and are ahead of the business plan targets. 

 

  • Wembley Stadium will allow the UK to attract the biggest events in sport and music and inspire the next generation of athletes and artists who dream of performing at the “Venue of Legends”.

  • Although primarily designed for football, rugby and music events, Wembley will have the capability to host athletics events, whenever required.