RIBA spotlights football stadium design in new exhibition in Liverpool

Football stadia will be in the spotlight in a fascinating new exhibition opening on the Liverpool waterfront this autumn.

Home Ground: The Architecture of Football is set to be staged at RIBA North’s Mann Island headquarters from October 15 to January 6, 2026.

Inspired by Everton’s move to a new home a mile-and-a-half down river from Mann Island at Bramley-Moore dock, Home Ground shines a spotlight on more than 50 stadiums from across the world.

They include Glasgow’s Ibrox Stadium, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (better known as San Siro) in Milan, the Bernabéu in Madrid and Munich’s Allianz Arena - the first stadium in the world with a full colour changing exterior.

The exhibition features architectural models, photographs and other archival material to  present the history of stadium design over the past 130 years, beginning with Archibald Leitch, who designed stadia for many leading clubs at the beginning of the 20th Century, including Everton, Chelsea and Rangers.

Modern stadium design is explored through the works of leading contemporary architecture practices, such as BDP, Populous, Herzog & de Meuron, gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects, alongside archival material from clubs and cities across Europe.

Above: The exhibition has been inspired by Everton's move to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Christopher Furlong, courtesy of BDP and Everton FC. Top: Wembley Cup Final 1923. Photo courtesy of Historic England.

Visitors are promised an insight into how architecture plays a pivotal role in the stadium experience, not only serving as a venue for sport but as a cultural landmark and focal point for both fans and the local community.

Oliver Urquhart-Irvine, RIBA executive director, architecture programmes and collections, says: “We’re proud to present Home Ground: The Architecture of Football, which offers a rare opportunity to explore the design and engineering history of football stadiums, while also celebrating their wide ranging social and cultural impact.

“This will be the first major RIBA exhibition following the temporary closure of 66 Portland Place, marking a significant step in RIBA’s public programme offering to showcase architecture’s excellence and its impact on our everyday lives.”

Home Ground: The Architecture of Football will be staged at RIBA North’s Mann Island headquarters from October 15 to January 6, 2026.