England

FA chief executive: 'England to play home matches away from Wembley in 2016'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 20 October 2015

Martin Glenn, the Football Association's chief executive, announces that England will play home matches away from Wembley Stadium in 2016.

Martin Glenn, the Football Association's chief executive, has confirmed that England will hold home matches away from Wembley Stadium in 2016.

The change in policy could come into effect next May as the Three Lions play two matches prior to the European Championships in France.

Wembley previously held a contract to host all England home matches, but Glenn is hoping that a move to play games at purpose-built club stadiums will help improve the atmosphere at international fixtures.

He told talkSPORT: "The England brand is more than London. We've effectively refinanced the stadium which gives us a lot more financial stability, so from next year we will be holding some England games out of Wembley and that is as good a guarantee as you are going to get.

"Our aspiration is before the Euros and Roy [Hodgson] would love to do it because it would get a real buzz behind the country and behind the team.

"What you'll get is something a bit different. It's not fortress Wembley whereas if you go elsewhere, say Old Trafford or the Stadium of Light, you will get a lot more buzz. For 20,000 fewer people, you will get a lot more atmosphere."

England have played all their home games at Wembley since a 1-0 defeat by Spain at Old Trafford in February 2007.