Why are England playing Andorra at Villa Park?

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·5 septembre 2025

Why are England playing Andorra at Villa Park?

England do not have top billing at Wembley Stadium this weekend

England resume their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign on Saturday, but have swapped Wembley Stadium for Villa Park.

Vidéos OneFootball

The Three Lions traditionally play their home games at Wembley, though have in recent years played host at a number of other grounds across the country.

Back in June, England played Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground, and a year earlier welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina to Newcastle's St James' Park.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford, Wolves’ Molineux, Leeds’ Elland Road, Southampton’s St Mary’s, Leicester’s King Power Stadium and Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium have all hosted England matches since 2018.

Saturday’s latest trip outside London is due to England not getting top billing at the ‘home of English football’. Coldplay have.

Coldplay are holding a number of concerts over the summer, and this World Cup qualifier clashes with Saturday’s show.

Concerts were also the reason for Senegal’s trip to the City Ground at the beginning of the summer.

Saturday’s game will be the first England match at Villa Park since a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in 2005. Of nine games at the stadium, England have lost just once.

"We are excited to play at Villa Park, another stadium full of history,” Thomas Tuchel said earlier this year.

"I know from my own visits to the stadium this season that it is capable of creating an outstanding atmosphere and is located close to St. George's Park which is a positive for our preparation.

"We hope to be able to generate another special atmosphere and create a memorable occasion for all fans."