Plymouth Home Park

Home Park

Home Park is a football stadium, located in the city of Plymouth, in Devon, England. Opened in 1893, it was originally used by the Devonport Albion rugby club for a year, before Plymouth Rugby moved in until 1899. In 1901, Argyle Athletic Club leased the ground. Since that year, the stadium's been home to Football League One's Plymouth Argyle F.C.. The stadium was under major impact during World War II, with the grandstand completely destroyed. Major renovations took place after the war, including building more stands. Home Park's four stands are called "Mayflower Grandstand", with the capacity of 5,403, "Devonport End", with the capacity of 2,832, "Portcullis Legals Lyndhurst Road Stand", able to seat 7,072 people, and also includes the Family Corner, and the "Kawasaki Barn Park End", seating 2,907, and includes an Away sector. The Mayflower Grandstand underwent major renovations, and reopened in 2020. Built in 2001, the other three stands are similar in design and are linked at their corners. The stadium itself is owned and operated by Plymouth Argyle.

The first competitive football match on Home Park happened in 1903, with Plymouth Argyle playing against Northampton Town. Five years after the stadium was struck with bombs, in 1946, Plymouth Argyle played the first official match against West Ham United in the Second Division. In 2002, Argyle won against Cheltenham Town, shortly after securing promotion as champions of Division Three. During the 2004-2005 season, Argyle attracted its highest league attendance since the 1960s, after being part of the EFL Championship, after it was rebranded from its former name of Division One. In 2009, the club submitted an application to the FA for the stadium to be a host venue for England's 2018 FIFA World Cup bid. Plymouth was selected, however, England lost its bid to Russia. Home Park has also hosted matches involving the England national team. The 1933-34 Football League Third Division South Cup was held at the stadium. In 1977, Home Park hosted Manchester United's European Cup Winners' Cup against AS Saint-Etienne.

During the 20th century, Plymouth Argyle were limited in what they could do in the stadium due to the lease agreement with the City Council. In 2006, the club purchased the ground's freehold, and has since then been often used as an open-air concert venue. Artists who have performed at Home Park include Elton John, Meat Loaf, George Michael and more.

Muse appearances

• 2023-05-27

Venue address

Home Park Stadium
Home Park Outland Road
Milehouse
Plymouth PL2 3DQ
United Kingdom

See also

• Home Park website