Murrayfield Stadium, officially known as BT Murrayfield Stadium, is a multi-purpose venue located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is primarily used for rugby union matches, serving as the home ground of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU), which is also its owner.
Murrayfield was inaugurated on 21 March 1925 with a match between Scotland and England, replacing the original ground at Inverleith. The stadium's seating capacity is currently at 67,144, making it the largest stadium in Scotland and the fifth largest in the United Kingdom. The stadium was designed by the architectural firm of Sir Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall, with a construction cost that would today be equivalent to around £600,000.
A UEFA category four stadium, and one of the largest by capacity in the UK, Murrayfield has hosted a variety of sporting events, including matches of the Six Nations Rugby, Rugby World Cup, and Edinburgh Rugby games. It has also been a venue for music concerts, featuring world-renowned artists like the Rolling Stones, Madonna, and U2. The stadium has welcomed millions of spectators since its opening and continues to be a central hub for major events in Scotland. It is also one of the potential venues for future international sporting events, continuing its legacy as a standout facility in the UK.
While the previous Scottish Rugby Union stadium was also officially named 'Old Murrayfield', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Murrayfield Stadium. Murrayfield is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Edinburgh used to simply call it Murrayfield. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Murrayfield Stadium', which is often referred to as 'The Home of Scottish Rugby'. This nickname, however, could be argued to be a testament to Scotland's passion for the sport, since Murrayfield not only refers to the geographical location of the stadium but also to its historic and ongoing significance in Scottish rugby. The original stadium was built in 1925 and has since undergone numerous renovations and expansions. Today, Murrayfield Stadium has a seating capacity of over 67,000, making it the largest stadium in Scotland and the fifth largest in the United Kingdom. The stadium is not only used for rugby matches, but also hosts concerts, American football games, and other sporting events. Despite these various uses, Murrayfield remains synonymous with Scottish rugby and stands as a symbol of national pride and sporting tradition in Scotland. Its rich history and iconic status make it a must-see destination for sports fans visiting Edinburgh.
A suitable location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for future expansion, was identified in the west end of Edinburgh. Being situated near the Water of Leith, the new stadium was initially known as 'Murrayfield'.
The goal of the Scottish Rugby Union was always to own both the stadium and the lands, although initially, a lease was made on the municipal grounds, with a final buy-out occurring only in 1925. The plans for the sports complex had been drawn as early as 1922 by Archibald Leitch, a renowned architect for stadiums.
Driven by the union's president, Sir George Cunningham, the members coped with an increased fee for supporting the building costs for the new stadium, offered large donations, and some went as far as to work themselves on the construction site on holidays or weekends. There was even a 'brick campaign', whereby large quantities of bricks were offered to the union.
The works officially started on 21 March 1925. Less than two years after, and at a cost of £70,000, on 19 March 1927 (a national holiday), a 70,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural rugby match against England.
Murrayfield Stadium (1925): Detailed history and information about Murrayfield Stadium, the largest stadium in Scotland and the home of Scottish Rugby. https://www.scottishrugby.org/
Murrayfield Stadium – until 2003: Comprehensive overview of the history and development of Murrayfield Stadium from its inception until 2003. http://www.stadiumdb.com/
Murrayfield: The Grand Old Lady of Scottish Rugby, Prefácio, Prime Books, 2003: An in-depth book providing a rich history of Murrayfield Stadium, known as the 'Grand Old Lady of Scottish Rugby'. ISBN: 972-8820-07-0.
Scotland Rugby Union 100 Glorious Years - The History 1, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2003: A book documenting the 100-year history of the Scotland Rugby Union, including detailed sections on Murrayfield Stadium. ISBN: 989-554-099-X.
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