PART FOUR: 2000-2023
The new millennium saw the 1923 stadium close its doors for the final time.
Bon Jovi were the last band to take the stage before the demolition of the iconic ‘Twin Towers’, while England's men lost 1-0 to old rivals Germany in the stadium’s final match.
In 2007, the new stadium opened and the Wembley Arch became a permanent fixture in London’s skyline.
Old and new, Wembley Stadium has remained the beating heart of the country’s sporting achievements, most recently seeing England’s women’s senior team crowned European champions.
A landmark achievement.
2000: FINAL FAREWELL
Oasis is the penultimate band to play at Wembley Stadium before demolition. They would later release the show as an album that shifts millions of copies worldwide.
2000: THE LAST KICK
England’s men play their last international at Wembley, losing 1-0 to Germany, before construction of a new stadium begins.
2003: TOWERS RECYCLED
The stadium’s famous Twin Towers are taken down brick by brick and the rubble used in the new stadium’s construction.
2004: ARCH COMPLETION
Wembley's arch is lifted into place. The striking 133-metre tall structure is the world's longest single span roof support structure and is visible right across London.
2007: SCORE DRAW
After some test events, Wembley officially re-opens and England men’s team take on Brazil. In a 1-1 draw, skipper John Terry nets the England goal.
2007: GRIDIRON IN TOWN
The stadium also becomes a regular-season NFL venue. In the first match at the stadium, the New York Giants edge out the Miami Dolphins 13-10.
2011: MESSI LEADS BARCA
The UEFA Champions’ League Final comes to the new Wembley for the first time, with a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona beating Manchester United 3-1.
2012: OLYMPIC FOOTBALL
The women’s and men’s gold medal football matches of the London Olympics are both played at the stadium.
2013: KILLERS' TRIBUTE
The Killers not only play Wembley Stadium, they write and perform the ‘Wembley Song’, written in the stadium’s honour.
2015: FIRST WOMEN'S FINAL
Wembley stages its first Women’s FA Cup Final. 30,710 fans watch Chelsea beat Notts County 1-0.
2015: MODI RALLY
An estimated 60,000 British Indians pack into Wembley for a rally in honour of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
2015: RUGBY AT THE DOUBLE
The stadium stages two matches in the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup. The matches see eventual champions New Zealand defeat Argentina and Ireland beat Romania.
2016: OLD BUT GOLD
At 45, Morpeth Town’s Chris Swailes becomes the oldest player to date to score in a Wembley final. His goal spurs Morpeth Town on to a 4-1 win over Hereford United in The FA Vase Final. The day also sees the first non-League double-header, with The FA Vase and FA Trophy taking place on the same day.
2017: JOSHUA CLAIMS TITLE
90,000 fans see Anthony Joshua claim the world heavyweight boxing title, stopping reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko.
2017: ADELE HITS NEW HIGH
98,000 fans attend an Adele concert in June to set a new record attendance for a UK music event.
2018: FASTEST WEMBLEY GOAL
The fastest goal in new Wembley’s history to date comes in 10.54 seconds, when Christian Eriksen, then of Tottenham Hotspur, nets against Manchester United in a Premier League match. The goal comes during Spurs’ tenancy of the stadium while their new stadium is being built.
2019: NEW RECORD SET
A new attendance record is set for an England women’s international. 77,768 see England take on Germany. Germany win, this time 2-1.
2020: PANDEMIC TIMES
The show goes on during the Covid-19 pandemic as Wembley hosts a number of behind-closed-doors events. These include England fixtures, Football League Play-Off Finals and an Emirates FA Cup Final.
2021: UEFA EURO 2020
The pandemic-delayed men’s UEFA European Championships are held across Europe. Wembley is the main venue and hosts eight matches, including the Final. England are beaten finalists, losing on penalties to Italy.
2022: BOXING HISTORY
Heavyweight clash Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte draw the stadium’s biggest boxing crowd to date: 94,000. Fury stops Whyte in round six.
2022: LIONESSES' GLORY
England hosts the women’s European Championships. Wembley is the centrepiece and the women’s team go all the way to the final. Joy is unbounded as the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 to lift the trophy.
2023: AND THERE'S MORE...
Happy 100th birthday! But the history-making moments will keep on coming. And one thing’s for certain: it always matters more at Wembley.
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