The 15 most intimidating EFL stadiums named and ranked by AI | OneFootball

FLW asked Chat GPT which football stadiums from those in the EFL are the most intimidating

As ever, 72 teams will be competing across the EFL's three divisions next season - the Championship, League One, and League Two - and it's fair to say certain stadiums have a bit more about them than others.

In terms of an intimidating ground, it doesn't simply matter about size - as Stadium MK for example - home to MK Dons - certainly lacks any sort of scare factor, and that holds over 30k (it's obviously not on the list).

I suppose it's more so about how close you are to the pitch or the design that traps any sound from the supporters - any readers who have been able to visit different grounds will surely have some spring to their mind.

So, ahead of the 25/26 season, FLW asked ChatGPT to rank the 15 most intimidating stadiums in the EFL - with number one being the ground that scares AI the most.

Starting AI's list is the 12k-capacity Kenilworth Road, which has been home to the Hatters for 119 years.

ChatGPT refers to the terraced ends that almost press on top of the pitch and how away sides can be left feeling boxed in due to the uneven stands.

Luton are due to move into a new state-of-the-art stadium from the 28/29 season, with the club saying Kenilworth Road "no longer meets the club's ambition."

14 Plough Lane (AFC Wimbledon)

Plough Lane is practically brand new in terms of a football stadium, having opened in 2020.

AI says the closeness of the home fans is very unsettling. With a capacity of just over 9k, ChatGPT says its small size makes any noise generated by the Dons' fans go through the roof.

13 Memorial Stadium (Bristol Rovers)

ChatGPT thinks the home of the Gas, Memorial Stadium, is shaped like a toilet bowl that traps noise - which seems to be an early theme for its ranking choices.

It also adds how Rovers' fanbase reputation of being a noisy bunch make anyone playing in the South West feel under pressure, not just any bigger teams that visit.

The largest ground on the list so far, holding 23.4k, Deepdale is the oldest professional "footballing site" in the world that is still being used - as per the PNE website.

AI says noise is pushed down onto the pitch because the stands are bowl-like and refers to the winter months being the hardest time for both players and fans to go there.

South Yorkshire outfit Barnsley have according to AI the eleventh-most intimidating ground in the EFL.

Oakwell has been given this position primarily for its steep Kop end - AI says the large amount of red absolutely everywhere is a good colour shade to put people off.

10 Carrow Road (Norwich City)

As we enter the top ten, I was rather surprised to see Norwich City's Carrow Road enter the frame, as nobody really associates Norfolk as being scary - but AI does make some good points.

ChatGPT thinks because of its shape, which is like a horseshoe - Carrow Road has a weird way of making chants seem incredibly loud.

9 The Valley (Charlton Athletic)

Home of the Addicks, The Valley is referred to as a mini-Wembley by AI, that has apparently been squeezed into a South London suburb.

With a maximum capacity of over 27k, ChatGPT humorously added how the "your s***" chant before an opposing goal-kick is taken can make sides feel overwhelmed - although personally, I'm not sure people are actually intimidated by that...

8

Derby County moved to Pride Park from the Baseball Ground in 1997 - and it was opened by Her Majesty The Queen a few weeks before the first game.

Being a Derby fan, i'm aware it's essentially a carbon copy of Middlesbrough's ground - but The Riverside doesn't feature on this list.

In the mind of ChatGPT, Pride Park features on this list for the noisy South Stand - away fans are cornered between both the East and South if they sell out (where the above picture is taken from). AI points to the amount of voices that can be heard when Pride Park is full.

7 Fratton Park (Portsmouth FC)

ChatGPT places Pompey's Fratton Park in seventh, which I think deserves to be swapped with a team a few places higher (will reveal).

It says each stand presses in at pitch level, and notes the old-school feel that both the brick frontage and terraces have.

Of course, AI mentioned the loyal home support of Portsmouth fans even when things aren't going so well - which is why I'd personally have the ground higher.

The only thing AI said about Portman Road was the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

On the Tractor Boy's website, it states that particular stand is not ideal for families, and that those below the age of 14 aren't allowed in the lower-tier.

ChatGPT does suggest why, saying that because it's safe-standing, 12k fans can be there at one time.

It's worth an obvious reminder that the Sir Bobby Robson Stand alone is bigger than some of the stadiums on this list altogether.