In many ways, local derbies are the heartbeat of football across the world. The ferocious nature of these matches has helped to keep local communities alive over the years and while football is now a more commercial game, these matches are still able to provide a throwback to a bygone era.
At the centre of these local derbies are the stadiums they are played at. Generally speaking, the closer the two clubs' stadiums are to each other, the more heated the rivalry.
But what are the closest football stadiums to each other in the UK? Our guide below has all the answers.
What are the closest professional football stadiums to each other? Top five in UK
5) Gaughan Group Stadium and London Stadium – 1.9 miles
Leyton Orient and West Ham are now just 1.9 miles away from each other ever since the Hammers moved to the London Stadium in 2016. Prior to that, the two clubs were more than four miles apart.
When the stadium was being built for the Olympics, it was though that Leyton Orient had a good chance of moving into it after the Games but their hopes were ultimately shattered when West Ham declared their interest in making the stadium their home.
It's impossible to say that a rivalry has been born from West Ham's move to Stratford as the two clubs haven't met in over 30 years.
4) Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage – 1.6 miles
Chelsea and Fulham are perhaps the exception to the rule in this list as the rivalry between these two clubs isn't anything to write home about. Chelsea consider the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal as bigger rivals in London while they also enjoy a fierce rivalry against Liverpool and Man Utd. Fulham, meanwhile, are perhaps the most inoffensive club in the entire country.
Despite that, Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage are close to one and other in one of the most affluent areas of London. Although Chelsea's home is bigger, the location of Craven Cottage on the banks of the Thames makes it one of the best away days in the country.
3) Goodison Park and Anfield – 0.8 miles
Liverpool and Everton enjoy a fierce rivalry despite outsiders often labelling it the ‘friendly' derby. Although both sets of fans are prepared to come together for just causes, such as the Justice for Hillsborough campaign, there is plenty of hatred involved, particularly from the Blue side.
The two stadiums are separated by just 0.8 miles across Stanley Park, and there were once plans for the two clubs to coexist in a brand new stadium built on the park. However, this idea was quickly canned. Everton are moving away from Goodison Park in 2025, so this distance will increase considerably in the near future.
2) Meadow Lane and City Ground – 0.4 miles
Notts County and Nottingham Forest have a severe dislike for each other, but this fixture has recently become rarely played due to the County's slide down the EFL. Forest, meanwhile, enjoyed promotion to the Premier League in 2022 and has remained there ever since.
The distance between Meadow Lane and the City Ground is just 0.4 miles, so it goes without saying that the two clubs are never at home on the same day. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in this case, no love is lost between the two clubs despite not meeting on the pitch in 13 years.
1) Dens Park and Tannadice – 0.1 miles
The closest football stadiums to each other in the UK are Dens Park and Tannadice in Dundee, the homes of Dundee FC and Dundee United. Like most clubs on this list, the two clubs currently play in different divisions, but that only seems to have made the hatred between them grow stronger.
As the image below demonstrates, the two stadiums are a stone's throw away from each other, making this one of the most unique areas in the UK in terms of football stadiums.
Dens Park (Dundee FC) and Tannadice (Dundee United). The two closest professional football grounds in the UK pic.twitter.com/qxEG8P5ozN
— Dan Jackson (@northumbriana) December 30, 2013