Northern England & Scotland: Top 10 Sports Venues for Events

By Carrie Larwood, July 7, 2025

The North of the UK is rich in sporting history and passion, and its venues reflect both legacy and modern innovation. From massive stadiums to adaptable indoor arenas, these locations aren’t just great for sport—they’re excellent for corporate events, concerts, exhibitions, and private hire too.

Here are 10 of the best sporting venues in the North, along with useful capacity insights for event planners:

1. Emirates Old Trafford – Manchester

Sport: Cricket
Home to: Lancashire County Cricket Club
Stadium Capacity: ~50,000
Event Use: Offers conference and banqueting facilities for up to 1,00 guests. Excellent for large corporate events and gala dinners.

2. St James’ Park – Newcastle

Sport: Football
Home to: Newcastle United FC
Football Capacity: ~52,000
Event Use: Meeting rooms for 10–1,000 people. Rooftop and pitch-side options available for premium events and exhibitions.

3. Headingley Stadium – Leeds

Sport: Cricket & Rugby
Home to: Yorkshire CCC & Leeds Rhinos
Cricket/Rugby Capacity: ~18,000
Event Use: Modern conferencing facilities, up to 500 delegates. Ideal for seminars and sports-themed team-building events.

4. Murrayfield Stadium – Edinburgh

Sport: Rugby Union
Home to: Scotland National Rugby Team
Stadium Capacity: ~67,000
Event Use: Suites and lounges for 10–1,200 guests. Can accommodate large-scale exhibitions and product launches.

5. Etihad Stadium – Manchester

Sport: Football
Home to: Manchester City FC
Football Capacity: ~53,000
Event Use: Up to 500+ in event suites, media centre, and tunnel club. One of the best venues for corporate hospitality and hybrid conferences.

6. Elland Road – Leeds

Sport: Football
Home to: Leeds United FC
Football Capacity: ~37,000
Event Use: Various function rooms (up to 1,000 capacity) for conferences, weddings, and training days.

7. Bramall Lane – Sheffield

Sport: Football
Home to: Sheffield United FC
Football Capacity: ~32,000
Event Use: The Platinum Suite and other spaces support events from 10 to 450 guests.

8. Utilita Arena – Newcastle

Sport: Multi-purpose (Basketball, Boxing, Ice Hockey)
Event Capacity: ~11,000 seated (concert layout)
Event Use: One of the largest indoor venues in the North. Ideal for concerts, awards shows, and large expos.

9. Riverside Stadium – Middlesbrough

Sport: Football
Home to: Middlesbrough FC
Football Capacity: ~34,000
Event Use: 12 event spaces; Riverside Suite holds up to 300 banquet-style. Great for regional corporate meetings.

10. Ewood Park – Blackburn

Sport: Football
Home to: Blackburn Rovers FC
Football Capacity: ~31,000
Event Use: The Premier Suite and Jack Walker Lounge serve business events, weddings, and conferences up to 400 attendees.

Summary Table for Event Planners

Venue	Main Sport	Stadium Capacity	Event Capacity Range	Event Types Supported
Old Trafford	Football	74,000	10–1,200+	Conferences, dinners, award shows
St James’ Park	Football	52,000	10–1,000	Seminars, rooftop events, exhibitions
Headingley	Cricket/Rugby	18,000	10–500	Corporate meetings, team-building
Murrayfield	Rugby Union	67,000	10–1,200	Expos, conventions, launches
Etihad Stadium	Football	53,000	20–500+	Hospitality, conferences, networking
Elland Road	Football	37,000	20–1,000	Weddings, training days, dinners
Bramall Lane	Football	32,000	10–450	Small conferences, receptions
Utilita Arena	Multi-purpose	11,000 (seated)	Up to 11,000	Concerts, large expos, boxing
Riverside Stadium	Football	34,000	20–300	Business events, forums
Ewood Park	Football	31,000	20–400	Community events, business functions

Whether you’re planning a product launch, corporate summit, or a high-energy concert, the North’s sporting venues offer both scale and versatility. With rich history and top-tier amenities, these venues aren’t just for sports—they’re event spaces with serious impact.