Anfield is the home stadium of Liverpool Football Club, located in the Anfield district of Liverpool, England. First opened in 1884, the ground initially served as the home of Everton FC before Liverpool FC took occupancy in 1892 following a tenancy dispute with the club’s landlord. Over more than 130 years, Anfield grew from a modest ground designed for around 20,000 spectators into one of England’s most storied football venues.
With a current capacity of 61,276 — reached after the Anfield Road End expansion completed in February 2024 — Anfield ranks as the fifth-largest football stadium in England. The ground is equally famous for its electric atmosphere, particularly in the Spion Kop stand, and for the iconic ‘This Is Anfield’ sign in the players’ tunnel, installed by manager Bill Shankly in 1972 as a symbol of the club’s identity and ambition.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Liverpool F.C. (1892–present)
- Location: Anfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool, England
- Opened: 1884
- Current Capacity: 61,276
- Record Attendance: 61,905 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, FA Cup (February 2, 1952)
- Surface: GrassMaster hybrid grass
- Notable Fact: Fifth-largest football stadium in England
A Ground Shaped by History
Anfield’s story began in 1884 when Everton FC moved in as tenants, but the ground’s identity was forged after Liverpool FC was founded in 1892 and took over as permanent occupants. The stadium expanded throughout the twentieth century, with the Spion Kop terrace becoming the spiritual heart of Liverpool’s support. Following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, Anfield was converted to an all-seater stadium in 1994, preserving its intensity while fundamentally changing the matchday experience.
Two major modern expansions reshaped Anfield for the twenty-first century. The Main Stand was redeveloped between 2015 and 2016, adding around 8,500 seats and reopening on September 9, 2016. The Anfield Road End was then expanded between 2021 and 2024 at an estimated cost of £60 million, adding a further 7,000 seats and pushing total capacity past 61,000 for the first time.
The Kop and the Matchday Experience
The Spion Kop, known simply as ‘the Kop,’ is one of the most famous stands in world football. Originally a vast open terrace capable of holding tens of thousands of standing supporters, it generated a wall of noise that became synonymous with Liverpool’s greatest European nights. Even after conversion to seating, the Kop remains the loudest section of Anfield, with supporters renowned for the club anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’
Beyond domestic football, Anfield has hosted UEFA Euro 1996 group stage and quarter-final matches, England internationals, and major rugby league events including the 2016 Rugby League Four Nations Final, which drew over 40,000 fans. The ‘This Is Anfield’ sign continues to greet players before every match — a daily reminder of the ground’s immense weight of history.
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Anfield FAQs
What is the current capacity of Anfield?
Anfield’s current capacity is 61,276, reached following the completion of the Anfield Road End expansion in February 2024.
When did Liverpool FC start playing at Anfield?
Liverpool FC began playing at Anfield in 1892, after Everton FC vacated the ground following a dispute with the club’s landlord, John Houlding, who went on to found Liverpool FC.
What is the Spion Kop at Anfield?
The Spion Kop — or simply ‘the Kop’ — is the largest and most iconic stand at Anfield, housing around 12,000 supporters. It is widely regarded as one of the most atmospheric ends in world football and remains the gathering point for Liverpool’s most passionate fans.
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Photo: Ruaraidh Gillies / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.