Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur Could Make Wembley Stadium Temporary Home
Both Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur are looking to play in new stadiums. While Chelsea have been linked with moving into Twickenham Stadium, Tottenham have yet to secure a temporary roost while their home is expanded/constructed.
The London-based clubs have been in search of temporary homes for quite some time. However, the London Evening Standard is reporting that both Chelsea and Tottenham are targeting a loophole that would allow the Wembley Stadium to be used for all of their home matches.
"Brent Council only allows 37 major events a year. The limit does not apply for games where fans are restricted to the two lower tiers of the stadium."
More from Chelsea
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Chelsea injury news: Most expensive midfielder is a doubt vs Aston Villa
- Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino mandates a “ridiculous offer” to sell defender
- When should Chelsea start to panic about Mauricio Pochettino?
- Chelsea: HUGE boost as Pochettino starts “world-class” midfielder today
The loophole would allow for both clubs to use the stadium as a temporary home while theirs are being worked on. In fact, the Brent Council confirmed there is no rule limiting additional events with a reduced capacity.
Of note for both sides will be the increased capacity compared to their current stadiums. Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge holds around 42,000 while Spurs White Hart Lane holds around 36,000. The lower two tiers of Wembley Stadium will sit close to 50,000 fans.
Should a deal pull through, both sides will have slight issues with their current backup plans.
Tottenham have targeted Denbigh Stadium in Milton Keynes. Located 50 miles away from White Hart Lane and with a capacity of 30,500, the stadium considerably smaller as well as providing more hassle for the clubs supporters in terms of travel.
However, outside of Wembley stadium, there are no suitable stadiums that will currently give Tottenham exclusive access. The only other option being considered by Spurs is sharing Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. However, I don’t think many Tottenham fans would be happy paying rent to their arch-rivals.
Chelsea would also have some issues with their second choice home. Twickenham Stadium is a Rugby stadium. Not only would the pitch have to be converted over for Chelsea’s matches, but possibly converted back when the English Rugby team has a match.
More from The Top Flight
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
Sitting 82,000, the stadium is much larger than Stamford Bridge. However, the cost of rent and conversion from Rugby to Soccer could prove to be a hurdle Chelsea may not wish to jump.
With both sides in need of a suitable home soon, Wembley Stadium could serve as just the place, while also profiting from both clubs stay at the stadium. Being in London will also be beneficial for both, giving their supporters much easier travel than leaving the city would.
Should the Brent Council allow either side to rent the stadium, it will come with both its ups and downs. Making way for the English national team and NFL will trouble both clubs at times. Though both can be overcome.
Both Chelsea FC and Tottenham would be thrilled to move into Wembley stadium. But should the clubs need to move at the exact same time, the question remains. Who would win a bidding war for Wembley? Well, that’s probably a story for another time.