When is a stadium not a stadium? Simon Inglis on 20th century sports arenas

When Is a Stadium Not a Stadium? Simon Inglis on 20th Century Sports Arenas

Simon Inglis authored several pioneering football books in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Football Grounds of Britain and Football Grounds of Europe. At the time, no one had extensively written about the venues hosting the world's most popular sport every weekend. Inglis is therefore an authoritative voice on this subject.

Stadiums vs. Grounds

During a lecture organized by the 20th Century Society (C20), Inglis outlined a brief history of sports venues over the last century. While people often call a place used for football or other sports a "stadium," many such sites are more accurately described as "grounds."

He explained that a stadium is typically a purpose-built complex constructed according to a specific plan. In contrast, a ground is a plot of land that evolves gradually, often through incremental additions and modifications.

Origins of the Stadium Concept

The idea of a stadium dates back more than a thousand years, with significant influence from ancient civilizations. The term "stadium" itself derives from the Greek word stadion, which originally referred to a unit of length, approximately 180 meters. Over time, it came to mean the location where sporting events were held.

“A stadium is often a purpose-built set of structures constructed as part of a plan whereas a ground is a plot that becomes developed over a period of time, perhaps through piecemeal additions and modifications.”

Simon Inglis

Summary

Simon Inglis highlights the historical and architectural differences between purpose-built stadiums and gradually developed sports grounds, tracing back the term's origins to ancient Greece.

game of the people — 2025-11-01