Section of Wembley Stadium

Contributed by Brent Museum

Section of Wembley Stadium

This is a concrete block with parallel ridges which was part of the original Wembley Stadium, also known as the Empire Stadium. The stadium was built in 300 days and cost £750 000. It opened in 1923 for the British Empire Exhibition. It was built on the site of an earlier failed tower (similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris) which became known as Watkin's Folly.

The Stadium was meant to be demolished after the Exhibition but was saved. The Twin Towers became a trademark of the venue and it was the first pitch to be referred to as "Hallowed Turf". It played host to football, rugby, the 1948 Olympics, Speedway, Greyhound racing, American football and Gaelic football. Musical events held at the stadium include the British leg of Live Aid (1985), Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert, The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness and the NetAid charity concert. These events meant that the building became iconic and recognisable not just in London and the UK but all over the world.

The stadium closed in 2000 and was demolished in 2003.

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