Hampden Park

Hampden Park is a football stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. It serves as a venue for matches in the world’s most popular sport, as well as for concerts. In this article, we’ll explore its history and past events, and provide useful tips for visitors.

The History of Hampden Park

Hampden Stadium was opened on 31 October 1903 by the local football club, Queen’s Park. The stadium was designed by Archibald Leitch. The stadium is named after the Englishman John Hampden, one of the leaders of the English bourgeois revolution of the 17th century.

Between 1927 and 1937, the stadium’s capacity was increased, and attendance records were set during this period. For example, the match between the national teams of Scotland and England (3–1), held on 17 April 1937, was attended by a record crowd for an international match on the European continent — 149,415 people.

Over time, the stadium’s capacity was reduced to ensure the safety of supporters. By 1977, it stood at 81,000 seats.

In the 1980s, the stands underwent reconstruction — wooden structures were replaced by concrete ones. Following modernisation and refurbishment in the 1990s, standing areas at Hampden Park disappeared completely.

In 2014, the stadium was temporarily used as a venue for athletics events during the Commonwealth Games. Today, it has a capacity of 52,103 and the pitch measures 105 by 70 metres. Another famous sports venue, the Emirates Stadium, the home ground of Arsenal FC in London, has a capacity of approximately 60,000.

Hampden Park is famous for the ‘Hampden Roar’ — the intense noise level which, according to spectators, helps to intimidate the opposing team. The stadium grounds are home to the Scottish Football Museum, which comprises 14 galleries and over 2,500 exhibits chronicling significant events since the late 19th century.

Events at Hampden Park

Key events that have taken place at Hampden Park:

1. 30 November 1872 – the first official international football match in history between the Scottish and English national teams, which ended in a 0–0 draw.
2. In 1960, the stadium hosted the European Cup final between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, attracting 130,000 fans, with Madrid winning 7–3. This match is still considered one of the greatest finals of all time. By comparison, not even Wembley Stadium saw such attendance figures — which highlights just how spectacular the scene at Hampden was in the mid-20th century.
3. In 2021, Hampden Park hosted matches for the European Football Championship.
4. In December 2024, the stadium hosted the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers; Celtic emerged victorious, with the match ending 3–3 on the night and 5–4 on penalties.

In 2012, the venue even hosted matches for the Olympic football tournament, featuring both men’s and women’s national teams. Although football takes centre stage, Hampden Park has also hosted other sports. It has hosted rugby matches, American football, boxing and even major athletics events as part of the Commonwealth Games.

Although Hampden Park was built for sport, it has long since become a favourite venue for open-air music. Thousands of people have gathered here to enjoy live concerts, with world-class artists such as Ozzy Osbourne performing here as if on a grand stage.

Here is just a short list of those who have performed at this venue:

1. Paul McCartney gave a concert at Hampden Park in 2010 — it was one of those memorable evenings when thousands of people sang along with the rock legend.
2. Rock and pop icons such as Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have performed at the stadium, with Biffy Clyro as their support act, making the arena a notable venue on the global tour circuit.
3. Take That, the band that sparked a wave of pop enthusiasm across Britain, also put on spectacular shows here.
4. The energy of rock legends such as AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen has also resonated through this stadium.

The first major concert took place at the stadium back in 1987 — Genesis and Paul Young kicked off the venue’s musical history. Today, you can hear young bands such as Little Mix performing there.

Where is Hampden Park?

Hampden Park is located in the south of Glasgow, a 10-minute walk from Mount Florida and Kings Park railway stations. It’s not in the city centre, but in a cosy residential area with trams, trains and cosy pubs nearby. It takes about half an hour to walk from the stadium to the centre of Glasgow.

Trains from Glasgow Central stop right at the entrance, and there are also several bus routes leading to the stadium. During major events, the surrounding car parks are almost entirely closed to traffic, so people tend to travel by train or bus.

Hampden Park blends seamlessly into the life of the neighbourhood in which it is situated. The stadium is surrounded by houses, shops and a park, attracting tens of thousands of fans and even celebrity performers.

Hampden Park seating plan

The stadium’s seating plan makes it suitable for both football matches and concerts. Below, we explain how this works in practice.

For football

The stadium is divided into the classic stands: North Stand, East Stand, South Stand and West Stand. Sectors and rows are marked with letters and numbers (e.g. ‘A1’, ‘C5’), making it easier to find your seat.

All seats are fixed, with no standing areas; the stadium has a capacity of approximately 51,866 people — this is the standard figure for football matches. When buying a ticket for the East Stand or West Stand, bear in mind that the front rows are quite far from the pitch — this is a feature of the arena’s old architecture: there used to be an athletics track here, which is why it has a more ‘bowl-shaped’ design.

For concerts

When concerts are held at Hampden Park, the layout undergoes some changes. The stage is usually set up at one end of the pitch, and the centre of the pitch is transformed into a huge area for standing spectators. Spectators on the pitch stand right in front of the stage, creating a lively atmosphere — just like at a real rock festival, as was the case at the Olly Murs concert, for example. Closer to the stands are benches, for which you can also buy tickets if you don’t fancy standing; it’s quieter there.

The stadium has bars, street food courts and relaxation areas. It’s important to remember: after the concert, there may be large crowds around the arena, so it’s best to plan your journey home in advance — whether by bus, train or perhaps a stroll into the city centre on foot.

How to get to Hampden Park?

Hampden Park is located in the south of Glasgow, and there are various ways to get there: by train, bus or on foot from the city centre. It’s about a 45–50-minute walk from the very centre, but most people opt for public transport.

By train

The most convenient way to get there is by train. The stations closest to the stadium – Mount Florida and King’s Park – are just a 5–10-minute walk away. Both are connected to the main railway hub, Glasgow Central, from where trains run regularly.

By bus

City buses run from the centre of Glasgow to Hampden Park. Routes 5, 6, 7, 7A, 34, 90 and 31 stop near the stadium and take you there directly from the city streets.

By car

Before planning a visit to the stadium on days when major matches or concerts are taking place, it is important to bear in mind that parking around the stadium is severely limited, and spaces are often reserved for local residents or those with special permits. It is best to plan your route in advance via the M74, exit 1a, then along Polmadie Road/A728 to Aikenhead Road.

From the airport

If you’ve arrived at Glasgow Airport, you can first take a bus or shuttle to the city centre, and from there travel by train or bus directly to the stadium.

Information for visitors

Before travelling to Hampden Park, it is worth finding out about nearby hotels and restaurants, and where to park your car if necessary.

Hotels near Hampden Park

Those planning to stay overnight in Glasgow can choose from the following accommodation options:

1. Number 10 Hotel — a cosy hotel just a few minutes’ walk from the stadium.
2. Glades House — a guesthouse with good reviews for its value for money.
3. Crosshill House — a budget option near Hampden Park.
4. Sherbrooke Castle Hotel Glasgow — a stylish hotel located a little further away, but offering excellent service.
5. The Ivory Hotel — a stylish boutique hotel a short distance from the stadium.
6. Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre South and Holiday Inn Express Glasgow - City Ctr Riverside by IHG — good options in the city centre, from where the stadium is easily accessible by train or bus.

In the city centre, you’ll also find the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, Clayton Hotel Glasgow and Travelodge Glasgow Queen Street. One of these is worth choosing if you want to combine the match with a stroll around the city.

Restaurants and pubs near Hampden Park

There are several good places near the stadium where you can grab a bite to eat or have a drink before or after the match:

1. Buck’s Bar Southside — an American-style pub with a pleasant atmosphere.
2. Battlefield Rest — an Italian restaurant with excellent cuisine.
3. TARTAN COO — a Scottish-style pub and bar.
4. Clockwork Bar and Restaurant — a well-known spot where fans love to gather, located next to the stadium.

Parking

There are parking spaces near Hampden Park, but there aren’t many. On days of major matches, the car park is almost completely closed to regular cars, as all spaces are reserved for services, organisers and local residents with permits.

On normal days, there is a car park at the William Hill South Stand, which is free to use. Many fans prefer to look for parking in neighbouring areas and walk the rest of the way, which takes 10–20 minutes, or leave their car at the station and take the train — this is often quicker and more convenient.

Contact details and postcode

Postal address: Hampden Park, Letherby Drive, Glasgow G42 9BA, Scotland.

Email for general fan enquiries and football matches: [email protected]

Another email address for details of upcoming events at the stadium: [email protected]

For enquiries regarding away fan zones and hospitality packages, please email [email protected]

For enquiries regarding concerts and music shows: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 141 616 6000 (this is the number for the Scottish Football Association, which manages the stadium).

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