Highest and lowest altitude football stadiums in the UK

With the geography of the United Kingdom creating a fascinating variety of landscapes, the regions that football is played in also naturally vary. From rugged hills to littoral zones, some stadiums stand significantly above sea level, while others are barely above it. So what are the highest and lowest altitude football stadiums in the UK, and how do these extremes compare?

Some of the answers might be surprising, and the stories behind each stadium are just as fascinating. Football grounds across the UK are a reflection of the nation's diverse topography, from the windswept uplands of Scotland and northern England to the coastal plains of the south. This variation means that players and supporters can experience very different conditions depending on where the match is held, with each set of away fans often faced with different environmental challenges. High-altitude venues can offer colder temperatures, swirling winds, and breathtaking views, while those close to the sea level often face damp, misty conditions and salt-laden breezes drifting from nearby shores.

This post explores the highest and lowest altitude football stadiums in the UK, revealing more than just a trivia-worthy contrast, so keep reading to discover more.

Which are the highest and lowest altitude football stadiums in the UK?

Discussions about the altitude of a football stadium often end in heated debates, and we won't run out of examples of players who failed to deliver optimal performance due to the same.

While this is more often an issue in international football, where the country in which any given event can differ so greatly from others in terms of altitude that players struggle to adapt, it can also be seen to a smaller extent in the UK.

Here are the football stadiums in the UK that are located at the highest altitude.

Silverlands Stadium

We start our list with the highest altitude football stadiums in the UK, and we begin this section with Silverlands Stadium in Buxton, England. It is the home ground of Buxton FC and is 1,000 feet above sea level.

Moreover, Silverlands Stadium is not only the best in the division but is also one of the oldest grounds in the UK. Silverlands Stadium boasts a capacity of 5,200 fans, noting that the main stand can have at least 500 matchgoers.

The Hawthorns

The Hawthorns is the highest altitude stadium in the second tier, and it is also one of the highest in the country. It is 552 feet (168 metres) above sea level. The Hawthorns is the home ground of West Bromwich Albion and boasts a seating capacity of 26,688 (all seated).

As one of the oldest grounds in the UK, the Hawthorns has been occupied by West Bromwich Albion since 1900.

The Hawthorns is the highest altitude stadium in UK#WBALEE | #WBA pic.twitter.com/BnsYTqd65O

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) December 29, 2020

The New Lawn

Forest Green Rovers call The New Lawn Stadium home, and it is one of the highest-altitude stadiums in the UK, situated at 164.3 metres above sea level. The football ground itself only has a capacity of 2000 seats and is located on Nympsfield Road, in Nailsworth, United Kingdom

The New Lawn stadium opened in 2006 and has been the home ground for Forest Green Rovers since then. Despite having a capacity of just 2000, the club were able to hold a record attendance of 4836 in 2009 when the club hosted Derby County

Boundary Park

Boundary Park ranks as the second-highest altitude football stadium in the UK, sitting an impressive 526 feet (160 metres) above sea level. The ground is located in Greater Manchester and currently serves as the home ground for Oldham Athletic. Its current capacity is 13,512.

Formerly Athletic Ground, Boundary Park has been operating as Oldham's home stadium since it opened in 1896, and that makes it one of the oldest football stadiums in the UK.

Vale Park

Vale Park is the third stadium to be mentioned in our list of the highest-altitude stadiums, and it is the home of Port Vale, currently a League Two outfit. At 520 feet (158 metres), Vale Park has a capacity of 18,947.

Originally opened in 1950 in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Vale Park has undergone significant renovations over the years, including reducing the seating capacity.

The Crown Ground

The next ground on our list of the highest altitude football stadiums in the UK is home to Accrington Stanley, Wham Stadium, which stands 516 feet (157 metres) above sea level. The ground is located in Accrington, Lancashire, England, and it was first opened in 1968.

The stadium only boasts a modest capacity of 5,450, but the home crowd are known for their passionate support.

Which is the lowest altitude football stadium in the UK?

Apart from playing football at high altitudes, the topography and location of some stadiums in the United Kingdom mean that sometimes, the love for the beautiful game will take you to some of the lowest points on earth, associated with extreme temperatures fluctuating from hot to humid to cold.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, here are the lowest altitude stadiums in the UK.

Blundell Park

Blundell Park is currently the lowest altitude football stadium in the UK, at only two metres above sea level.  It is the home ground of League Two side Grimsby Town.

Blundell Park, built in 1899, is among the oldest stadiums in the UK. With a capacity of 9,052, this number reflects reductions made during past renovations. Winds from the North Sea frequently bring the coldest temperatures, so visitors should always be ready for variable weather conditions, as it can occasionally get quite warm.

Manchester United are set to make their first visit to Blundell Park since the 1940s this season, after the two clubs were drawn together in the Carabao Cup. As the match is being played in August, the cold temperatures at this low altitude stadium won't bite as hard as they can, which should be of benefit to the Premier League side and their fans.

St. Mary's Stadium

St. Mary's Stadium is only three metres above sea level, making it one of the lowest-altitude football stadiums in the UK. Southampton F.C.'s home ground was opened in 2001 and boasts a capacity of 32,384.

The Saints have endured one of the worst seasons of any Premier League side in history and only just avoided accruing the lowest-ever points tally in the competition. Their immediate relegation from the division means that thousands of Championship fans can once more enjoy an away day at the stadium.

MKM Stadium

The next ground on our list of the lowest altitude football stadiums in the UK is MKM Stadium, which is the home ground of Hull City. The home ground of the Tigers boasts a seating capacity of 25,586, all seated spectators. Opened in 2002, one year after Southampton's St. Mary's Stadium, MKM Stadium is one of the modern football grounds in the United Kingdom.

The Deva Stadium

The Deva Stadium is the home ground of Chester City, and it is only 16 metres above Sea Level. The Deva Stadium hosts home matches for Chester City. Located in Sealand on the outskirts of Chester, the Deva Stadium straddles the borders of England and Wales. Proximity to the Wirral Peninsula means the stadium is located at one of the lowest points in the UK.

Portman Road

Next on this list of the lowest football stadiums in the UK is Portman Road, currently the home ground for Ipswich Town. The venue sits only 17 metres above sea level. Portman Road is located not only in one of the lowest points in the UK but also in an old football ground, having served Ipswich since 1884.