History of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Timeline
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the third largest football stadium in England, is the home ground of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Replacing White Hart Lane, the stadium has a seating capacity of 62,850, making it the largest club ground in London. Designed as a multi-purpose venue, it features a unique dividing, retractable football pitch that reveals a synthetic turf field underneath. This allows the stadium to host NFL London Games, concerts, and various other events.
1905: Tottenham Acquires White Hart Lane Freehold
Tottenham Hotspur acquired the freehold of the White Hart Lane ground in 1905, along with additional land.
1909: New Stadium Construction Begins
Construction of a new stadium at White Hart Lane, designed by Archibald Leitch, began in 1909.
1934: Stadium Capacity Reaches 80,000
By 1934, the capacity of White Hart Lane had reached nearly 80,000.
1979: Capacity Reduced to 50,000
After a number of changes and the introduction of seating, the capacity of White Hart Lane was reduced to around 50,000 in 1979.
1989: Taylor Report Impacts Stadium Design
Following the Taylor Report in 1989, White Hart Lane began to be redeveloped into an all-seater stadium.
1998: White Hart Lane Refurbishment Completed
In 1998, the refurbishment of White Hart Lane was completed, resulting in a reduced capacity of around 36,000.
2007: Initial Redevelopment Considerations
In 2007, Tottenham Hotspur first announced that they were considering redeveloping the existing White Hart Lane site.
April 2008: Wingate Trading Estate Considered for New Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur revealed in April 2008, that they were considering acquiring the Wingate Trading Estate for a potential new stadium.
October 2008: Northumberland Development Project Announced
The Northumberland Development Project, including plans for a new stadium and other facilities, was officially announced in October 2008.
2008: Northumberland Development Project Announced
Tottenham Hotspur announced the Northumberland Development Project in 2008. The project included plans for a new stadium, club museum, homes, shops, and other facilities.
April 2009: First Project Plan Released
The first plan for the Northumberland Development Project, featuring a 58,000-capacity stadium, was released for public consultation in April 2009.
October 2009: Planning Application Submitted
A planning application for a 56,000-seat stadium, designed by KSS Design Group, and other buildings was submitted in October 2009. This proposal faced criticism from conservation groups due to plans to demolish listed buildings.
May 2010: Revised Plan Submitted
A revised plan for the project, which aimed to retain some of the listed buildings, was submitted in May 2010 in response to objections.
September 2010: Plan Approved by Haringey Council
Haringey Council approved the revised plan for the Northumberland Development Project in September 2010.
August 2011: Tottenham Riots
A major riot occurred in Tottenham in August 2011, prompting Haringey Council to seek ways to keep Tottenham Hotspur in the community.
September 2011: Planning Permission Granted
Haringey Council granted planning permission for the Northumberland Development Project on September 20, 2011, in an effort to support the club and the area's regeneration.
January 2012: Commitment to Building in Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur fully committed to building the new stadium in Tottenham in January 2012, after losing the bid for the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United.
January 2012: Tottenham Confirms Commitment to North Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur publicly announced their commitment to staying in North Tottenham and working with the council on regeneration efforts in January 2012. The Northumberland Development Project was intended to be a catalyst for a 20-year regeneration program.
March 2012: Council Approves Land Transfer and CPO
In March 2012, Haringey Council agreed to transfer council-owned land in the redevelopment area to Tottenham Hotspur. They also approved a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the remaining properties on Paxton Road.
September 2012: Northumberland Development Project Construction Begins
Construction work on the broader Northumberland Development Project commenced in September 2012.
October 2013: Multi-Use Stadium Concept Explored
Tottenham Hotspur's consideration of a multi-use stadium, capable of hosting American football games, came to light in October 2013.
July 2014: CPO Confirmed
After a significant delay, Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government, confirmed the CPO in July 2014.
2014: Land Cleared North of White Hart Lane
By 2014, much of the land north of White Hart Lane had been cleared for the new stadium construction.
March 2015: Acquisition of Final Paxton Road Plots
Tottenham Hotspur successfully acquired the remaining plots on Paxton Road in March 2015, paving the way for the development to move forward.
July 2015: NFL Partnership and New Design Team Announced
Tottenham Hotspur announced an agreement with the NFL in July 2015 to host at least two NFL games annually for ten years, starting in 2019. A new design team, led by Populous and Christopher Lee, was also revealed.
December 2015: Revised Plans Approved
Haringey Council granted approval for the revised stadium plans, which included the demolition of locally listed buildings, in December 2015.
December 2015: Interim Financing Secured
In December 2015, Tottenham Hotspur secured a £200 million interim financing facility with three banks to fund the construction of their new stadium.
2015: Construction Begins
After numerous delays and revisions to the project, construction of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium began in 2015.
February 2016: Final Approval Granted for Stadium Construction
Final approval for the new stadium's construction was granted in February 2016, allowing work to begin on the main structure.
February 2016: Mayor Approves Plans
The Mayor of London gave formal approval to the revised stadium plans in February 2016.
2016: Two-Phased Stadium Construction
The construction of the new stadium was divided into two main phases to allow White Hart Lane to remain in use during the 2016-17 season.
May 2017: Loan Deal Secured, Costs Escalate
By May 2017, the interim financing for the Tottenham Hotspur stadium was replaced by a £400 million, five-year loan deal. Costs had risen to £340 million, and an additional £237 million loan was required, bringing the total to £637 million. To manage the debt, £525 million was refinanced through bonds.
June 2017: Piling Work Begins for Phase 2
In June 2017, the piling work for the second phase of the stadium's construction began.
August 2017: Demolition of White Hart Lane Completed
By August 2017, the demolition of the old White Hart Lane stadium was finished, with all visible remnants removed.
December 2017: South Stand "Trees" Erected
The two steel "trees" that support the South Stand of the new stadium were erected in December 2017.
February 2018: Compression Ring Completed
February 2018 marked the completion of the compression ring that holds the cable net roof structure.
March 2018: Roof Structure Raised
The roof structure of the new stadium was raised in March 2018.
September 2018: Stadium Opening Delayed
The opening of the stadium, originally planned for September 2018, was delayed, forcing Tottenham to extend their stay at Wembley.
September 2018: Test Events Postponed
The planned test events for the stadium in August and early September 2018 were postponed to March 2019 due to safety system issues.
October 2018: Club Shop Opens
The Tottenham Hotspur club shop at the new stadium was the first facility to open, beginning operations on October 23, 2018.
October 2018: Pitch Laid at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The pitch at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was laid in early October 2018.
November 2018: Golden Cockerel Installed
A replica of the golden cockerel was placed on the roof of the new stadium in November 2018.
December 2018: Fan Familiarisation Event
A fan familiarisation event was held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2018.
March 2019: Exterior Cladding Completed
The external cladding of the stadium was finished in March 2019 with the installation of the last metal panels of the 'veil'.
March 2019: First Test Matches Held
The first test events at the new stadium were held in March 2019, with an under-18s match against Southampton on March 24th and a legends match against Inter Milan on March 30th.
April 2019: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Opens
In April 2019, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium officially opened with a ceremony. This marked the end of a long and complicated construction process.
April 2019: Stadium Cost Nears £1 Billion
Just before the stadium opened in April 2019, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy stated that the total cost of the stadium construction was approaching £1 billion.
July 2019: First Competitive NFL Games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
July 2019 saw the first competitive NFL games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, hosting the UK regional flag football championships for schoolchildren. Houghton Primary School emerged victorious against Ysgol Gwynedd School.
July 2019: NFL Academy Trials at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The trials for the first intake of the NFL Academy took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 2, 2019.
October 2019: First NFL Game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The first NFL game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was held on October 6, 2019, with the Chicago Bears playing against the Oakland Raiders.
October 2019: First NFL Game Sets Early Attendance Record
The first NFL game held at the stadium in October 2019 between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders set a new attendance record for the venue.
November 2019: Record Attendance for Women's Super League Match
In November 2019, the stadium recorded the highest-ever attendance for a Women's Super League match at the time during a game against Arsenal Women.
November 2019: First North London Derby in FA Women's Super League
The first North London derby in the FA Women's Super League between Tottenham and Arsenal took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 17, 2019.
December 2019: Previous Stadium Attendance Record for Tottenham Game
The previous record attendance for a Tottenham game at the stadium was set in December 2019 during an English Premier League match against Chelsea.
2019: Improved Transportation Access
By 2019, access to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was enhanced with improvements to nearby London Overground, London Underground, and National Rail stations, particularly White Hart Lane station. The upgrades aimed to accommodate the increased flow of fans on match days.
2019: NFL Games Begin at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The first NFL games were held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 as part of the ten-year partnership.
2019: Positive Reviews for New Stadium
The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, opened in 2019, garnered largely favorable reviews from fans, sportswriters, and architecture critics. It was praised for its imposing yet intimate design, its faithfulness to the club's spirit, and its positive impact on the surrounding community.
2019: Stadium Wins Multiple Awards
Throughout 2019, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium received numerous accolades, including the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence and awards for 'Best Leisure Project', Project of the Year, and more. These awards recognized the stadium's design, engineering, and impact.
February 2020: Stadium Featured on Television
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was featured in an episode of Richard Hammond's Big, a Discovery Channel program showcasing massive structures, in February 2020. It also served as the location for an elimination challenge on the culinary competition show Top Chef: World All-Stars.
March 2020: Stadium Ranks High in Awards and Public Opinion
In March 2020, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was voted second in the Stadium of the Year awards by StadiumDB.com, trailing only the Puskás Aréna in Hungary.
March 2020: Saracens' First Match Cancelled
Saracens' planned first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020: Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev Fight Postponed
The Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev fight, initially planned to be the stadium's first boxing match, was postponed and moved to a different venue due to the pandemic.
August 2020: Dare Skywalk Opens
The 'Dare Skywalk' attraction, allowing visitors to walk up the side of the stadium to the roof, opened on August 31, 2020.
November 2020: Stadium Build Cost Confirmed at £1.2 Billion
In November 2020, Daniel Levy revealed that the final cost of building Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was £1.2 billion.
2020: Guns N' Roses Concert Postponed
Guns N' Roses' planned concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2020 was postponed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: NFL Games Cancelled
In 2020, scheduled NFL games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 2021: High Debt Reported
In February 2021, financial analysis revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had the highest debt among European clubs, largely attributed to the stadium construction. The debt was estimated at £1.177 billion.
July 2021: OOF Gallery Opens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The OOF art gallery, located within the stadium's Grade II listed Warmington House, opened on July 23, 2021.
September 2021: First Boxing Match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The first boxing match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium took place in September 2021, where Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision.
October 2021: NFL Returns to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
After a cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL returned to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October 2021 with games featuring the Atlanta Falcons against the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Miami Dolphins.
2021: More Accolades for the Stadium
In 2021, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued to receive recognition, winning both the RIBA National Award and the London Award. It also received a Special Prize for Interior in the Sports category of the Prix Versailles 2020.
January 2022: Safe Standing Trial at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was one of five stadiums to trial "safe standing" in January 2022, becoming the first Premier League stadium with areas of rail seating.
March 2022: Saracens' First Match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Saracens finally played their first match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March 2022, defeating the Bristol Bears.
May 2022: New Stadium Attendance Record for Tottenham Game
The record attendance for a Tottenham game at the stadium was set in May 2022 during an English Premier League match against Arsenal.
May 2022: First Major Rugby League Match
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted its first major rugby league match in May 2022, the Challenge Cup Final between Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors. This was moved from Wembley Stadium due to the EFL play-offs. The first rugby league match at the stadium was actually the 2022 RFL 1895 Cup final earlier that day.
July 2022: Guns N' Roses First Concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Guns N' Roses were the first musical act to perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2022, a concert originally planned for 2020 but delayed due to COVID-19.
October 2022: Green Bay Packers' First International Game
October 2022 marked the first time the Green Bay Packers played a game abroad, facing the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The New Orleans Saints also hosted the Minnesota Vikings at the stadium that month.
December 2022: Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora III
December 2022 saw Tyson Fury defeat Derek Chisora by technical knockout in their trilogy fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
October 2023: First Back-to-Back London Games for an NFL Team
In October 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars made history by becoming the first NFL team to play back-to-back games in London, first at Wembley Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons and then at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. The Tennessee Titans also hosted the Baltimore Ravens at the stadium that month.
October 2023: NFL Attendance Record Broken
The attendance record for an NFL game at the stadium was broken in October 2023 during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars.
February 2024: World's First In-Stadium Electric Karting Facility Opens
February 2024 marked the opening of the world's first in-stadium electric karting facility at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a result of a 15-year deal with Formula One.
March 2024: Saracens vs. Harlequins Draws Large Crowd
Saracens' match against Harlequins in March 2024 drew a significant crowd of 61,214 to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
2024: European Rugby Finals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to host the finals of both the European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2024.
