So, we’re not talking about the current Hampden Park, but its original site. Historic Environment Scotland has officially recognised the grounds as culturally significant, granting the first Hampden Park football stadium protected status. As a result, it cannot be turned into flats anymore. And yes, we know, it feels like everything is being turned into flats nowadays…
A brief history of the first international football in the world
Originally built by Queen’s Park, the original Hampden Park site in Glasgow was the first of its kind, featuring what we now consider the standard in football, such as grandstands, turnstiles and season tickets for entry. Before the new stadium, footballers played on converted cricket pitches.
What is more, the protected Hampden Park grounds was the first international football stadium in the world, with Scotland playing England 5-1 in 1872.
In 1905, the site was taken over by Hampden Bowling Club, which has now closed down, and the original football grounds were discovered in 2021 following an archaeological excavation.
Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES, said: “It feels timely to recognise the central role that Scotland played in the development of the sport, and the place of First Hampden within that story.”
“The remains of the pavilion at the first Hampden are a link to the earliest days of football in Scotland, and its importance to, and impact on, communities. It is a monument to our national game and to the origins of the modern football stadium.”
“We’d like to thank everyone who took time to take part in our consultation and share their valuable contributions.
“We had a great response, and we are looking to continue that engagement over the summer, where we will be asking people to suggest important football heritage sites from across the whole of Scotland for us to investigate.”
