20 Stunning Images of Premier League Stadiums
The Premier League is lucky enough to play host to some of the world's biggest talents, so it's only right that the talent gets to feature in some of the most beautiful surroundings possible.
For some, the British setting of some Premier League stadia is a dingy and urban setting, but the following 20 slides show that there's a lot more beauty to the division than one might first think.
Looking at the current 20 clubs of the English top flight, we've delved into the archives in order to find the most captivating images.
If your club's home doesn't happen to feature, it's merely because the nicer snaps happen to have been taken elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, the Premier League's giants' boost in photographic attention sees some of those gain more prominence among those images gathered.
That being said, read on and take in some of the most iconic scenes that football has to offer, from inside and out.
1. Crimson Tides Above Old Trafford
1 of 20
This photo of Old Trafford is unique on this list in that it was actually the focus of this year's Rugby League World Cup final at the time it was taken.
On that day, Australia and New Zealand's league titans may have taken centre stage, but the red clouds formed above the Stretford End almost in a reminder as to who the true incumbents of the ground are.
2. Emirates Stadium Shines Through
2 of 20
The Emirates Stadium has been a tremendous upgrade in location for Arsenal, surpassing Highbury, not necessarily in terms of prestige, but in terms of sheer magnificence.
Here, the North London venue is caught at dusk, shadows looming over the Gunners legends who have come and gone down the years but that which is most important, the club's crest, beaming through.
3. Picturesque Stamford Bridge Scene
3 of 20
This image of the West Stand exterior at Stamford Bridge has all the qualities that might lead one to believe it could actually be a painting, but alas, nothing is faux here.
The stark contrast between the gloom of the clouds next to the sunlight on the stadium make for something magnificent.
4. Anfield's 20th Anniversary Hillsborough Tribute
4 of 20
"Gone but never forgotten" is the tagline often associated with the Justice For The 96 campaign, a movement that's been devoted to unearthing the truth behind the 1989 Hillsborough disaster for some decades now.
In 2009, 20 years after the incident in Sheffield occurred, Liverpool fans laid wreaths and bunches of flowers outside the Shankly Gates in commemoration of those lost.
Although not strictly an image of Anfield itself, the gates are an iconic part of the ground, and the sentiment behind this occasion is a more memorable sight than most others in the sport.
5. Arsenal Silhouettes
5 of 20
There's something all too simple about this photo taken before last season's meeting between Arsenal and Southampton, but then again, the best things in life aren't often complicated.
The high-rise arches of the Emirates Stadium are split in twine by the silhouette of the corner flag before kickoff, and there's nothing but wide, open expanse and a magnificent stadium to distract.
6. Jeff Astle Lives On
6 of 20
The Jeff Astle Gates are an essential part of the Hawthorns furniture, constructed in memory of one of the greatest players ever to have featured for the Baggies, nicknamed "The King."
With his face etched into the West Brom setting, Astle can never be forgotten in what's an incredibly thoughtful tribute to one of the club's greatest-ever servants, scoring 174 goals in 361 appearances.
7. Chelsea Danger Lurking
7 of 20
Chelsea strikers have been among the club's most disappointing players this season, failing to hit the target in terms of expectations, with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o hitting only four Premier League goals between them.
This photo sums up the off-target exploits of the Blues forwards nicely, not to mention adding a sensational panoramic of the West Stand and the Shed End in the backdrop.
8. Glory, Glory Man United
8 of 20
Never a club not to revel in their own success, Manchester United's Premier League triumph of the 2012/13 campaign was celebrated with an aesthetic overhaul of the club's entrance.
The iconic arches of the Old Trafford front towered over a 2013 decal, signifying the club's 20th Premier League title triumph, with Manchester United beaming along with their headquarters.
9. Fans' Monument Completes the Stadium of Light
9 of 20
At their very core, every football club and organisation is indebted to its fans, so the Fans' Monument in front of the 49,000 capacity Stadium of Light is a firm statement of the family traditions that the Mackems hold so dear.
Aside from the stature, Sunderland's ground also happens to look especially majestic in this image, reminding us that the Black Cats actually boast the fourth-largest ground in the English top flight.
10. Craven Cottage Tradition
10 of 20
Traditional to the end, Craven Cottage is famous for one thing above all else: its iconic cottage, erected in 1905 and integrated into the Johnny Haynes Stand as a part of the everyday aesthetic of the ground.
The West London outfit aren't known for being one of the Premier League's loudest, but this particular morsel of English history speaks volumes all on its own, also called The Pavilion.
11. Stadium of Light Lies in Wait
11 of 20
When not packed to the rafters with the booming masses of Premier League fans, the Stadium of Light can actually look like an extremely peaceful place under the cover of night.
However, what's perhaps most significant about this photo is that just a day after this shot was taken, on Oct. 17 2009, the Black Cats would run to a famous 1-0 win over Liverpool as a result of that beach ball incident.
12. Goodison Park's Pink Skies
12 of 20
On its day, Goodison Park can be one of England's most intimidating places to travel, as the Toffees regularly boast a fine home record in their Premier League ventures.
However, there's nothing particularly scary about this picture of the Merseyside stadium, Everton's home venue instead looking every bit a place of peace thanks to the floodlit setting and fading dusk sky.
13. Emirates Stadium's Mirror Image
13 of 20
Again, the Emirates Stadium features thanks to this carefully taken photo prior to one of Arsenal's encounters this season, showing that dreary weather doesn't necessarily equate to a lack of photo ops.
Here, the Gunners' ground looks almost like a rugby ball when mirrored in the wet North London concrete, fans unknowingly contributing to the makeup of the moment.
14. Goodison Park's Religious Values
14 of 20
Everton are rather unique in that they actually have a church built into their stadium as part of the infrastructure. Early Sunday kickoffs never occur at Goodison Park due to the effect it would have on services.
St. Luke's Church is built between the Goodison Road Stand and the Gwladys Street Stand, showing that there is indeed the potential for harmony between religion and an otherwise more aggressive practice.
15. Anfield Under Cover of Mist
15 of 20
In 2006, a League Cup quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Liverpool was forced to be rescheduled thanks to the thick mist that intruded into Anfield.
At the time, the occasion wasn't a happy one for fans, considering it was only an hour before kickoff that the match was officially postponed, but now we can look back and just gaze at what a magnificent picture this really is.
16. Emirates Stadium Extravagance
16 of 20
How big does the Emirates Stadium look in this picture? Answer: big.
Arsenal's opener to the 2012/13 season ended in a bore draw against Sunderland, as the heat of August played its role in the encounter and got the term off to a slightly disappointing start for the Gunners.
However, the Gunners' home ground can at least say it looked fabulous all the while crest, club legends and sheer stadium magnificence all played their hand in an epic image.
17. Bobby Robson Memorial
17 of 20
One of the greatest figures ever to have managed the club, Bobby Robson's commemorative statue at St. James' Park is a delicate touch that lays tribute to a man whose ties to the club run deep.
One of the largest venues in the Premier League's arsenal, the stadium itself looks brilliant from this low-angle viewpoint, with a black-and-white motif only appropriate given the subject.
18. Selhurst Park Highlights Britain's Soggy Side
18 of 20
It doesn't have to abide by the more conventional term of beautiful to be considered stunning, as Selhurst Park's boggy conditions showcase a side of the sport that we all have a soft spot for deep down.
This 2008 image—taken during a league meeting between Crystal Palace and Doncaster Rovers—can't help but throw up fond memories of the weather every youngster enjoyed trudging around in from time to time.
19. The Runner of the Etihad
19 of 20
"The Runner" is a statue designed by Colin Spofforth. It's not modeled around any athlete in particular—it's more a celebration of the elite human form, many of which regularly feature for Manchester City.
It may upset some Manchester United fans to hear, but the Etihad Stadium is a wonderfully crafted construct in its own right, as the combination of size, the spiraled towers and supports run alongside, and it all makes for a terrific scene.
20. Old Trafford's Neon Glow
20 of 20
Many an evening European fixture has been played at Old Trafford and, as such, fans have become increasingly accustomed to seeing the words "Manchester United" beamed out in red neon lettering for years now.
The only thing adding to this iconic image of the Theatre of Dreams front is the statue of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law gazing on at the ground they each ruled so ruthlessly during their respective reigns.
