Bloomfield Road

Bloomfield Road has been the home of Blackpool Football Club since 1901, making it one of the longest-standing club-ground associations in English football. Located near the seafront in one of England's most famous resort towns, the ground has a setting that is virtually unique in professional football, with the Blackpool Tower visible from the stands and the Irish Sea just a short walk away.

The stadium's golden era came during the 1950s, when Stanley Matthews graced the Bloomfield Road turf during Blackpool's most successful period. The legendary 1953 FA Cup final, forever known as the "Matthews Final," saw Blackpool come from 3-1 down to beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3, with Matthews producing one of the most iconic individual performances in the history of the competition. That era of top-flight football established Blackpool's place in the national consciousness and gave Bloomfield Road a romantic aura that endures to this day.

The ground was partially rebuilt in the 2000s as part of a modernisation programme that saw three sides of the stadium replaced with new stands. However, the east side of the ground remains open, giving Bloomfield Road an incomplete feel that has been a source of frustration for supporters. Despite this, the three completed stands provide a capacity of 16,220 and modern facilities that have served the club through its remarkable return to the top flight.

Bloomfield Road hosted Premier League football during the 2010-11 season under Ian Holloway's management, a campaign that captured the imagination of neutrals across the country. The sight of top-flight football being played within sight of the seaside created images that were beamed around the world, and the club's attacking style made them everyone's second favourite team. Today, Bloomfield Road continues to serve a club whose history and setting make it one of the most distinctive venues in English football.