Northern England & Scotland: Top 10 Sports Venues for Events

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

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.