Chris Waddle once named England's 5 best stadiums for atmosphere | OneFootball

England legend Chris Waddle ranked Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium as the best for atmosphere in England back in 2024.

When it comes to rating the atmosphere at English stadiums, we will all have different opinions.

That’s part of what makes the game so special, and, unlike some football cultures, a lot of the noise generated in English football is linked to the action on the pitch.

As fans, we will have visited intimidating grounds, and some will exceed expectations in terms of the atmosphere, whilst others may not live up to the hype.

But, it’s always interesting to get the perspective of footballers, and Chris Waddle certainly saw a lot during his playing career.

The classy winger won 62 caps for England, and he represented the likes of Newcastle, Spurs, Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday during his excellent career that stretched over 20 years.

So, Waddle played in different eras, where he saw a lot, and he previously rated the top five stadiums for atmosphere in English football when speaking on BBC 5 Live.

Goodison Park - Everton

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Waddle was referencing Goodison Park when discussing Everton’s atmosphere, and the famous old stadium was widely regarded as one of the best in the country.

He described it as ‘so intimidating’, as well as praising the Toffees supporters for the ‘unbelievable atmosphere’ that they can create.

Since moving to Hill Dickinson, some will feel Everton have lost the edge that Goodison Park gave them, as they have switched from an old-school stadium to one of the most modern on the planet. But, recent celebrations against Man Utd show they can still make a racket in their new surroundings.

Elland Road - Leeds United

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Another club who are renowned for their atmosphere, Waddle played at Elland Road many times during his career, and it seemingly left an impression.

He explained how the Whites fans can create an ‘electric’ atmosphere, and Leeds fans will feel they remain among the best in the country at the moment.

Daniel Farke’s side have enjoyed real success in the past few years as they look to establish themselves back in the top flight, and their home form is always key due to the backing they receive.

Roker Park - Sunderland

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Some may not remember that Waddle actually played for Sunderland, as he made his name with their bitter rivals Newcastle, before joining the Black Cats in 1997.

During that period, Sunderland were playing at Roker Park, and Waddle namechecked the old stadium as having the third best atmosphere in English football.

It may not be the same nowadays, but Sunderland’s Stadium of Light can still generate a fantastic atmosphere, as they proved on their way to the Premier League, and during their brilliant 2025/26 campaign, which has brought European football back to Wearside, so more big nights await.

St. James’ Park - Newcastle United

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Following on from that, Waddle ranked Newcastle above their rivals, as he praised the ‘electric’ atmosphere that they created during his five years at the club.

Obviously, his time on Tyneside means the former winger has an affection for Newcastle, and he saw some great moments during his time at the club from 1980.

That was a different era, but St. James’ Park remains a fantastic venue to watch and play football, and it would still be seen among the best in the country by many observers.

Hillsborough - Sheffield Wednesday

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Waddle rated Hillsborough as having the best atmosphere in English football, and it’s another ground that he knows very well.

He made almost 150 appearances for the Owls between 1992 and 1996, during a time when Wednesday were competing in the Premier League and pushing to win silverware.

So, Hillsborough was rocking, and even though recent years have been very tough for the Yorkshire club, it still generates a huge noise when it’s packed. It’s a shame that it’s currently a League One stadium, but the Owls