The Boleyn Ground, widely known as Upton Park, served as the home of West Ham United Football Club for 112 years, from 1904 until 2016. Situated in the E13 district of East London, the stadium derived its distinctive name from Green Street House — a Tudor mansion that locals nicknamed ‘Boleyn Castle’ due to its fabled association with Anne Boleyn. Over more than a century, the ground developed a fierce reputation as one of the most atmospheric and intimidating venues in English football.
The stadium’s capacity evolved significantly over its lifetime, reaching an all-seater configuration of 35,016 following major redevelopments in the 1990s and early 2000s undertaken to comply with the Taylor Report’s post-Hillsborough safety requirements. West Ham played their final match at the ground on 10 May 2016 — a 3–2 Premier League victory over Manchester United — before relocating to the London Stadium in nearby Stratford. The Boleyn Ground was subsequently demolished between 2016 and 2017, and the site was redeveloped into more than 840 residential units.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: West Ham United F.C.
- Location: Upton Park, East London, England
- Opened: 1904
- Closed: 10 May 2016
- Demolished: 2016–2017
- Capacity (at closure): 35,016 (all-seater)
- Record Attendance: 42,322 vs Tottenham Hotspur (17 October 1970)
- Total Matches Hosted: 2,398
A Fortress in East London
For over a century the Boleyn Ground stood as the heartbeat of West Ham’s community in East London. The stadium’s tight terraces and close-proximity stands created an electric, often ferocious atmosphere that opposition clubs dreaded. The ground hosted some of football’s most memorable occasions, including Wayne Rooney’s England international debut — a friendly against Australia on 12 February 2003 — and also staged events beyond football, among them a Billy Graham Christian mission in June 1989 and a David Haye vs. Derek Chisora boxing bout in July 2012.
The record crowd of 42,322, set in October 1970 when standing accommodation still existed, testified to the ground’s deep-rooted place in the local sporting culture. Even after conversion to an all-seater stadium, West Ham regularly filled the ground, and the final-season atmosphere in 2015–16 was widely described as some of the most emotional the club had ever witnessed.
Legacy After the Final Whistle
The farewell season at the Boleyn Ground was marked by intense nostalgia as supporters said goodbye to a stadium inseparable from West Ham’s identity. The closing night on 10 May 2016 drew a sell-out crowd of 34,907 who witnessed a fitting 3–2 victory over champions-elect Manchester United, with Winston Reid scoring the last competitive goal in the ground’s history.
Demolition began shortly after West Ham’s departure, with the site eventually becoming the Barratt Upton Gardens residential development — over 840 new homes in East London. The stadium’s memory endures through dedicated exhibitions, archival photography, and the club’s ongoing tribute programmes, ensuring the Boleyn Ground remains a cherished landmark in the history of English football even in its absence.
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Boleyn Ground FAQs
Why was the Boleyn Ground also called Upton Park?
The stadium was located in the Upton Park district of East London, and supporters and media commonly used that area name to refer to the ground. The official name ‘Boleyn Ground’ came from the adjacent Green Street House, a Tudor building locals nicknamed ‘Boleyn Castle’ for its supposed connection to Anne Boleyn.
What was the record attendance at the Boleyn Ground?
The all-time record attendance was 42,322, set on 17 October 1970 for a First Division match against Tottenham Hotspur. After the ground became all-seater, the highest attendance was 35,550 for a Premier League match against Manchester City on 21 September 2002.
What happened to the Boleyn Ground after West Ham moved out?
Following West Ham United’s relocation to the London Stadium in Stratford for the 2016–17 season, the Boleyn Ground was demolished between 2016 and 2017. The site was redeveloped into the Barratt Upton Gardens housing scheme, comprising more than 840 new residential units.
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Photo: Oxyman / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.