Where do arsenal women's football team play

Home ground: meadow park, borehamwood

Arsenal Women primarily play their home matches at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. This has been their home ground for a significant period and offers a familiar and dedicated venue for the team and their supporters. Meadow Park provides a more intimate atmosphere compared to larger stadiums, fostering a strong connection between the players and fans.

Meadow Park is also the home of Boreham Wood FC, a National League team. This shared arrangement is common in women's football, allowing teams to utilize established facilities while maintaining a distinct identity.

Occasional matches at the emirates stadium

While Meadow Park is their primary home, Arsenal Women have increasingly played selected matches at the Emirates Stadium, the home of the Arsenal men's team. These games are typically high-profile fixtures, such as North London derbies against Tottenham Hotspur Women or crucial Champions League matches. Playing at the Emirates allows Arsenal Women to showcase their talent to a larger audience and experience the thrill of playing in a world-class stadium.

For example, in the 2022-23 season, a record-breaking crowd of over 47,000 fans attended the North London derby at the Emirates Stadium, demonstrating the growing popularity of women's football and the appeal of seeing Arsenal Women play in such a prestigious venue.

History of home grounds

Before settling at Meadow Park as their primary base, Arsenal Women played at various grounds throughout their history. This is typical of many women's teams, who often adapt to available resources and facilities. Some of their previous home grounds included:

• Various grounds within the Arsenal Training Centre facilities.
• Smaller local grounds depending on the era and league requirements.

The move to Meadow Park represented a significant step forward for the team, providing a more permanent and dedicated home.

Factors influencing venue choice

Several factors influence where Arsenal Women play their home matches:

• Capacity: Meadow Park offers a suitable capacity for most FA Women's Super League games. The Emirates is reserved for matches expected to draw larger crowds.
• Pitch Quality: Maintaining a high-quality playing surface is crucial, especially with the demanding schedule of the FA WSL and European competitions.
• Fan Experience: Creating a positive and engaging experience for fans is a priority, including factors like accessibility, seating, and matchday atmosphere.
• Logistics: Training facilities, travel arrangements, and player accommodation all play a role in venue selection.

The future of arsenal women's home venues

The future likely holds a continuation of the current arrangement, with Meadow Park remaining the primary home ground and the Emirates Stadium used for select high-profile matches. As women's football continues to grow in popularity, the possibility of a purpose-built stadium specifically for Arsenal Women becomes more realistic in the long term. However, for the foreseeable future, the combination of Meadow Park's intimacy and the Emirates Stadium's grandeur offers a balanced approach to meeting the team's needs and growing the fanbase.