 | |
 Interactive map of King Power Stadium | |
| Full name | King Power Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Walkers Stadium (2002–2011) |
| Address | Filbert Way |
| Location | Leicester England LE2 7FL |
| Public transit |  Leicester |
| Owner | King Power |
| Capacity | 32,259[1] |
| Record attendance | Football: 32,241 (Leicester City vsSunderland, 8 August 2015) Rugby: 32,500 (Leicester Tigers vsBath, 1 April 2006) Concerts: 54,000 (Kasabian, 28–29 May 2016) |
| Field size | 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)[1] |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2000 |
| Built | 2001–2002 |
| Opened | 23 July 2002; 23 years ago (2002-07-23) |
| Construction cost | £35-£37 million |
| Architect | The Miller Partnership |
| Tenants | |
| Leicester City (2002–present) Leicester City Women (2021–present) | |
King Power Stadium is afootball stadium located in the city ofLeicester,East Midlands, England, and the home ofLeicester City. The stadium opened in 2002 as the Walkers Stadium and has a capacity of 32,259.[2][3] The club attracted worldwide attention when they lifted thePremier League title on the site in 2016.
Leicester City's previous stadium was at nearbyFilbert Street from 1891 to 2002, located less than 300 yards away from the current site.[4]
Filbert Street was gradually upgraded during the 20th century and with the advent of theTaylor Report in January 1990 requiring all clubs in the top two divisions to have all-seater stadiums by August 1994, Leicester's directors began to investigate building a new stadium soon after the Taylor Report recommendations were announced, but decided to take the redevelopment option by building a new stand on one side of Filbert Street and fitting seats into the remaining standing areas, giving the stadium a 21,500 all-seated capacity by the1994–95 season.
Filbert Street's conversion to an all-seater stadium coincided with their promotion to thePremier League after a seven-year exile from the top flight, and with their relegation after just one season it appeared the 21,500 capacity would be adequate. However, success in the late 1990s saw crowds rise, which meant virtually every game at Filbert Street was a sell-out by the end of the decade. Relocation was soon back on the cards; several clubs had relocated to new stadiums around this time, including fellow Midlands clubsStoke City andDerby County.
Some parts of the ground – the East and North Stands in particular – were also somewhat outdated, which led the manager,Martin O'Neill to joke that when he showed Filbert Street to new signings he led them backwards out of the players tunnel to prevent them from seeing the East Stand.
In early 1998, plans were announced for a 40,000 all-seater stadium to be built at Bede Island South in time for the2000–01 season, but they were abandoned on 5 January 2000. ChairmanJohn Elsom vowed other options, including relocation to another site or even further redevelopment of Filbert Street, would be considered, hoping either option would have materialised by August 2002.[5]
The relocation option was soon settled upon, as plans were unveiled on 2 November 2000 for a 32,000-seat stadium in the Freeman's Wharf area, situated alongside theRiver Soar. The stadium was expected to be completed in time for the2003–04 season, although it was suggested at the time relocation could happen at the start of the2002–03 season.[6] Work on the stadium began in the summer of 2001, and by 10 October that year it was confirmed the new stadium would be ready for the 2002–03 season.[7] The stadium was completed on time in the summer of 2002, ready for Leicester to take up residence for the start of the2002–03 season.
The stadium cost £35-37 million to build. Designed by architects The Miller Partnership, it was constructed by Birse Stadia (the specialist stadium division of Birse Construction). After becoming official contractors, Martin Peat, managing director of Birse Building said: "We are delighted to have been selected by Leicester City Football Club as construction partners for their new stadium which, when completed, will be one of the finest in Europe." The club's chief executive Steve Kind described the stadium as a "flagship development, not just for the club but for the community and city of Leicester as a whole."
As well as being a venue for football, the stadium was originally branded asThe Midlands Conference Centre, offering a "state of the art conference, banqueting and catering facility unparalleled in the East Midlands."[8] At the time of building, two large dual-purpose concourses, which could be used as exhibition centres on non-matchdays, were a first in British stadium design.[9]
The stadium was officially opened by former Leicester strikerGary Lineker on 23 July 2002. He used a giant pair of scissors to cut a ribbon on the pitch after arriving at the stadium in a Walkers lorry. The first game at the new stadium was a friendly against Basque teamAthletic Bilbao, on 4 August 2002. ManagerMicky Adams described the stadium in the club's pre-match programme: “I am sure everyone will agree our new home is pretty special. Spectacular, I’d call it. Fantastic seems to be the word used by most people to describe the surroundings and the facilities. It’s certainly a stadium befitting the 21st century."[4]
The game finished 1–1, withTiko scoring the first goal at the stadium, andJordan Stewart scoring Leicester's first goal. The attendance was approximately 24,000 (no official figure was recorded due to a computer problem). The first competitive match took place six days later and Leicester beatWatford 2–0 in front of a near-capacity crowd of 31,022.Brian Deane scored both goals, including the stadium's first in competitive games. Leicester ended the2002–03 season promoted back to thePremier League, losing just two home games in the season, despite spending the early part of the season inreceivership due to their huge debts, until a takeover deal was completed.
The cost of the new stadium, combined with relegation from the Premiership, the collapse of the English transfer market due to the introduction of the transfer window, and the collapse ofITV Digital, meant Leicester went intoreceivership shortly after moving to the new stadium.Birse Construction, who had built the stadium, therefore lost a large part of their fee and they withdrew from football ground construction.[10] The club did however pay the stadium's overall project manager, DTZ, in full.[11]
As part of the deal which brought the club out of receivership, the stadium's ownership reverted to American academic retirement fundTIAA–CREF, who had supplied £28 million via a bond scheme towards the stadium's construction, with the club taking a long-term lease while the bond repayments were made.
On 1 March 2013, ownersKing Power purchased the stadium for £17 million through their company K Power Holdings Co, Ltd.[12] Vice-chairmanAiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said "our plan is to bring long-term sustainable success to Leicester City Football Club. Purchasing the stadium was always a key element in this plan. Whilst there are no immediate plans to alter the structure or design of the stadium site, the increased flexibility through direct ownership ensures that the football club can freely adjust to the changing needs of its supporter-base for the future."[13]
In 2015, vice-chairmanAiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha stated plans were in place to increase the ground's capacity to around 42,000.[14][15] During the close season between May 2016 and August 2016, the seats inside the stadium were specially treated for the first time. In April 2018, it was announced that initial planning for the expansion and development of King Power Stadium was underway.[16] In October 2018, two new screens were installed at either end of the stadium.[17] On 28 July 2021, Leicester City confirmed that they would reveal plans to the public which included increasing the capacity to 40,000, as well as several development projects in the area surrounding the stadium.[18] The club announced on 25 October 2021, that they had submitted a hybrid planning application to Leicester City Council for the redevelopment of King Power Stadium and the surrounding area. They had also applied for permits in September 2021 to begin early enabling works in preparation for the redevelopment.[19] In August 2022, the stadium became the first in Europe to operate a frictionless kiosk for food and drink purchases.[20] In September 2022, plans were provisionally approved for the expansion of King Power Stadium's capacity to 40,000. The other development projects were also given provisional approval.[21] On 14 December 2023, the club announced that they had received formal approval from Leicester City Council to begin development works, following initial approval in September 2022.[22] In preparation for the 2025–26 season, safe standing areas were installed at the stadium for the first time, consequently meaning the stadium was no longer an all-seated venue.[23]
On 27 October 2018, aLeonardo AW169 helicopter carrying club chairmanVichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others crashed in a car park outside the stadium. The crash happened shortly after the helicopter took off from the pitch, and there were no survivors on board.[24] The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden opened a year later on 27 October 2019, before The Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Statue was unveiled on 4 April 2022.[25][26]
In 2002, former Leicester City shirt sponsorsWalkers signed a ten-year deal for naming rights. The stadium was originally to have been called the "Walkers Bowl", but the name was dropped after fans objected on the grounds the name was too "American" (referring to theAmerican college footballbowl game concept). As a result of a fans' petition, the name was quickly changed to the "Walkers Stadium". However, some fans at the time were still unhappy that the name only referenced the sponsor, with no reference to Leicester City. The agreement for naming rights was superseded halfway through the ten-year period, in May 2007, when Walkers again paid a seven-figure sum to extend their sponsorship of the stadium until 2017.[27] On 5 July 2011, naming rights were sold toKing Power, who took ownership of the club in August 2010.
Since opening in 2002, the stands inside the stadium have had various names but are currently titled the North, East, South (Spion Kop) and West respectively. The North Stand was originally called the Lineker Stand, after former playerGary Lineker, and the South Stand was originally named the Fosse Stand, after the club's founding name Leicester Fosse.[28][29][30] There are also two lounges inside the stadium currently named after two other former notable players,Gordon Banks andKeith Weller.[31][32] The stadium is often referred to as Filbert Way after the site's address, which retains a link with the club's former home groundFilbert Street. It is also referred to as Freeman's Wharf, after the area in which the stadium is situated. During the2015 Rugby World Cup, the stadium was known as the Leicester City Stadium and this is the same forUEFA competitions.[33][34]
 | This sectionis inlist format but may read better asprose. You can help byconverting this section, if appropriate.Editing help is available.(June 2025) |
The first game at the stadium was a friendly against Spanish teamAthletic Bilbao, on 4 August 2002. The game finished 1–1, withTiko scoring the first goal at the stadium, andJordan Stewart scoring Leicester's first goal.
During their absence fromWembley, theEngland national football team played a home friendly game againstSerbia and Montenegro at the stadium on 3 June 2003. Goals fromSteven Gerrard andJoe Cole gave England a 2–1 victory. On 12 October of the same year, the ground hosted an international friendly match betweenBrazil andJamaica, withRoberto Carlos scoring the winner.[35][36]
On 20 May 2006, the stadium hosted theFootball Conference play-off final betweenHereford United andHalifax Town. A goal in extra time gave Hereford a 3–2 win and promotion to the Football League. Nine days later, the ground was also the venue for another international friendly, withGhana beating Jamaica 4–1.
On 12 October 2007, it hosted the2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 3 match betweenEngland's under-21s andMontenegro's under-21s. The hosts edged out the visitors 1–0 withMatt Derbyshire's goal.
On 26 April 2008, Leicester City playedSheffield Wednesday in their last home game of the2007–08 Championship season. The match was played in front of a crowd of 31,892 supporters, which was the largest home attendance in the league on the day, and Leicester's highest home attendance of the season. The match finished 1–3 to Sheffield Wednesday, and following a 0–0 draw away atStoke City on 4 May 2008, the club were relegated toLeague One, the third tier ofEnglish football, for the first time in their history.[37] Prior to this season, Leicester were one of nine clubs to have never competed outside of England's top two divisions.[38][39]
On 30 July 2011,Leicester City played a strongReal Madrid side in the Npower Cup in front of 32,188 fans, with star players such asCristiano Ronaldo andKaká playing for Madrid. After falling behind to a first-half goal fromJosé Callejón, and a second on the hour fromKarim Benzema,Sven-Göran Eriksson's men pulled a goal back a minute from the end through substituteLloyd Dyer.
On 4 April 2014, Leicester won 2–1 againstSheffield Wednesday. The win put them on the brink of promotion back to thePremier League after 10 years, and on the following day, the club'sPremier League status was confirmed as results went in their favour.[40][41]
On 3 May 2014, Leicester lifted the2013–14 Championship title at home toDoncaster Rovers.[42] This was the club's 7th second tier title.
On 21 September 2014, Leicester went on to produce one of the greatest comebacks inPremier League history, as they won 5–3 against Manchester United at King Power Stadium. They came back from 3–1 down with 30 minutes left to score four goals.[43]
On 8 August 2015, the stadium recorded its current highest ever league attendance of 32,242. Leicester won 4–2 againstSunderland in their first match of the2015–16 Premier League season.[44]
On 7 May 2016, Leicester City lifted the 2015–16 Premier League trophy following a 3–1 win overEverton, less than a week after officially becoming champions asTottenham Hotspur failed to beatChelsea.[45][46]Andrea Bocelli performed live before the match.
On 27 September 2016, the stadium hosted its first ever competitive European football match since opening in 2002. Leicester won 1–0 againstPorto in theUEFA Champions League.[47]
On 14 March 2017, at the stadium the club played itsUEFA Champions League last-16 second leg fixture againstSevilla. The match finished 2–0 on the night, and 3–2 on aggregate which resulted in Leicester reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.
On 11 September 2018, the stadium hosted a friendly between theEngland national team andSwitzerland. England won 1–0 with a goal fromMarcus Rashford. Leicesterleft-backBen Chilwell made his England debut as a 79th-minute substitute at his home stadium.[48]
On 30 July 2022, the stadium hosted theFA Community Shield due toWembley hosting the final ofUEFA Women's Euro 2022 on the following day.[49] As the holders, Leicester City were invited to host. This made Leicester the only club to host this fixture at two different stadia, followingFilbert Street in 1971.
On 25 March 2023, the stadium hosted its fourth England international match to date. England U21s played against France U21s in a friendly.[50]
On 4 May 2024, the club lifted the2023–24 Championship title at home toBlackburn Rovers. This was Leicester's 8th second tier title.
From 28 February 2025 to 1 March 2025, theLabour Party held their East Midlands regional conference at the stadium.[51]
v
Serbia and Montenegro| 3 June 2003Friendly | England | 2–1 | Serbia and Montenegro | Leicester |
| 20:00BST | Gerrard 35'J. Cole 82' | Jestrović 45' | Stadium:Walkers Stadium Attendance: 30,900 Referee:Paul Allaerts |
v
Brazil| 12 October 2003Friendly | Jamaica | 0–1 | Brazil | Leicester |
| 15:00BST | Roberto Carlos 15' | Stadium:Walkers Stadium Attendance: 32,000 Referee:Rob Styles |
v
Ghana| 29 May 2006Friendly | Jamaica | 1–4 | Ghana | Leicester |
| Euell 58' | Muntari 5' Stewart 19' (o.g.)Appiah 66'Amoah 68' | Stadium:Walkers Stadium Attendance: 32,000 |
v
Switzerland| 11 September 2018Friendly | England | 1–0 | Switzerland | Leicester |
| 20:00BST | Rashford 54' | Stadium:King Power Stadium Attendance: 30,256 Referee:Clément Turpin |
In 2004Leicester Tigers considered sharing the stadium with Leicester City as their own 16,815-capacity ground atWelford Road was considered too small to handle the growing popularity of rugby union. The plan would have seen the two clubs form a jointly owned company to buy the stadium from, then owners, Teachers. The deal was abandoned in 2005 as the clubs failed to fully agree terms.
Due to the continued parlous state of the football club's finances, rumours that groundsharing was still being discussed continued to circulate, with some suggestions Tigers were considering buying the stadium outright from Teachers. In 2007, a permanent groundshare was ruled out as Leicester Tigers received planning consent for a major expansion of their own Welford Road venue, with a new 10,500-seat stand taking Welford Road to a capacity of 24,500.
Leicester Tigers played six matches at the stadium in total. The first three were either to capitalise on the larger capacity with the greater interest in high-profile games, or when competition rules demanded the match be played away from their normal home ground. The other three matches were played due to the demolition of the old Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road.
| Date | Competition | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 April 2005 | 2004–05 Heineken Cup Semi-final | Toulouse | 19 – 27 |
| 1 April 2006 | 2005–06 Heineken Cup Quarter-final | Bath | 12 – 15 |
| 21 April 2007 | 2006–07 Heineken Cup Semi-final | Llanelli Scarlets | 33 – 17 |
| 11 April 2009 | 2008–09 Heineken Cup Quarter-final | Bath | 20 – 15 |
| 25 April 2009 | 2008–09 Guinness Premiership, Round 22 | Bristol | 73 – 3 |
| 9 May 2009 | 2008–09 Guinness Premiership Semi-final | Bath | 24 – 10 |
The stadium has hosted international rugby, including a match between aWorld XV andSouth Africa on 3 December 2006 to mark the centenary of the Springboks' first game abroad.[52] South Africa won 32–7. The site also hosted matches during the2015 Rugby World Cup, which included three pool matches:Argentina–Tonga,Argentina–Namibia andCanada–Romania.
| Date | Stage of Tournament | Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 October 2015 | Pool C | Argentina  | 45 – 16 |  Tonga | 29,124[53] |
| 6 October 2015 | Pool D | Canada  | 15 – 17 |  Romania | 27,153[54] |
| 11 October 2015 | Pool C | Argentina | 64 – 19 |  Namibia | 30,198[55] |
The overall record attendance at the stadium is thought to be between 32,488 and 32,500, for a rugby union match between Leicester Tigers and Bath in 2006. This rugby match took place prior to seats being removed to provide segregation of rival football fans, reducing the capacity of the ground from exactly 32,500 to 32,261.[56]
The current highest ever league attendance at the stadium is 32,242, for aPremier League match againstSunderland on 8 August 2015.[44] The highest ever attendance for a non-competitive football match is 32,188, for a pre-season friendly againstReal Madrid on 30 July 2011.[57] On 15 January 2025, the club's home attendance dropped below 30,000 for the first time in a Premier League fixture since 2014.[58]
|
Since 2021, the stadium has been the primary home ofLeicester City Women.[59][60]
|
52°37′13″N1°08′32″W / 52.620277777778°N 1.1422222222222°W /52.620277777778; -1.1422222222222
.svg)
