The top 20 EFL stadiums you simply must visit in your lifetime (Ranked) | OneFootball

FLW lists off some of the must-visit EFL grounds

Throughout the EFL, there is a great variety of old-school, modern, small and large stadiums that have been weaved into the history of football in this country.

Each fanbase within the Championship, League One and League Two will always argue that their respective stadium is the best out of 72 due to a number of sentimental reasons, quirks and general history that has become associated with it.

The ambition of certain clubs within the second, third and fourth tiers also means that some of the most historic grounds in the country won't be standing for much longer, with visiting supporters who have perhaps never attended a game at a stadium which falls under said category, desperate to make it a 'ground-tick' in the short period of time left to do so.

With that in mind, FLW has ranked 20 stadiums in the EFL that must be visited.

20 Harrogate Town - Wetherby Road

Beginning this list is Harrogate Town's Wetherby Road stadium, which is the smallest in the EFL with a capacity of just 5,000.

The Sulphurites have become part of the furniture in League Two ever since their promotion in 2020, and despite coming bottom of the pile in terms of size, still had the third-lowest average attendance in the division in 2024/25 with a figure of 2,968.

The stadium has been expanded three times since opening in 1920, and who knows what could happen in the future if Simon Weaver's side were to start challenging for promotion?

19 Barrow AFC - Holker Street

Next up is Holker Street, the stadium which Barrow have called home since 1909.

The club's locality often makes it challenging for their own players, never mind opposition supporters, with the Bluebirds' training ground situated in Salford, some 96.8 miles away from the Cumbrian town.

Over 1,000 new seats were installed in May 2023 so the stadium complied with EFL membership criteria, creating a small mismatch of temporary and permanent stands across the stadium and a feeling of uniqueness that is rarely matched in other stadiums, especially higher up the EFL pyramid.

18 Walsall - Bescot Stadium

The Bescot Stadium was built at a cost of £4.5m back in 1990, and has seen plenty of ups and downs as the current home of Walsall.

Due to its extremely close proximity to the M6, it has become a running joke among supporters across the country to pass it en route to another 'away day' more than any other stadium, but Saddlers supporters have continued to generate a strong atmosphere inside the 11,300-capacity ground.

Ironically, the record attendance in WS1 came on the final day of the 2003/04 Division 1 season, with the West Midlands side defeating Rotherham United 3-2, despite being relegated on goal difference.

A stadium with yet another quirk attached is the Kassam Stadium, where Oxford United have played since August 2001.

Despite having a capacity of just 12,500, the stadium has become notorious for having just three stands, with away supporters in the North Stand looking out onto a car park and the Ozone Leisure Park on their left-hand side.

Although the Kassam is just over 20 years old, the U's are looking to move to a 16,000-capacity stadium in Kidlington in the near future, and were recently granted a two-year extension to the lease at their current ground to provide some form of short-term stability.

16 Hull City - MKM Stadium

Hull City moved to the 25,586-capacity MKM Stadium in December 2002, as the £44m project was seen as the main catalyst behind the Tigers' rapid rise from League Two to the Premier League in the mid-2000s.

Hull's fluctuating fortunes since the turn of the century has led to a variety of attendance figures, and despite being a stereotyped 'bowl' design, the ground is also unique, as it is the only professional stadium in the country to be set in parkland, placed right in the heart of West Park, approximately 15 minutes from the City Centre.

Ever since Acun Ilicali's takeover in January 2022, the MKM has also gained a reputation for having the best catering range in the top four divisions, with a variety of street food on offer to home and visiting supporters.

15 Stockport County - Edgeley Park

Edgeley Park has seen it all in recent times as Stockport County fell from and then rose back into the EFL, with the Hatters recently enduring 11 years in non-league football.

However, the atmosphere inside this historic stadium has been a key factor behind the continued success enjoyed under Dave Challinor, despite losing in the play-off semi-finals against Leyton Orient.

The Cheadle End, in particular, is extremely domineering as a steep, two-tiered stand which can house up to 5,008 County supporters, whilst behind the other goal, visiting supporters may be treated to an unpleasant experience, especially in winter, as the Railway End is uncovered.

14 Bristol City - Ashton Gate

Ashton Gate is one of the most iconic Championship stadiums, which is in no small part down to its recent modernisation as Bristol City continue to build towards a first-ever stint in the Premier League.

The 'East End' in BS3 is also known for creating an impressive atmosphere, which is mainly generated from the 'Section 82' Ultras movement.

Despite ambitious plans to build a new £92m stadium back in 2007, Ashton Gate was eventually redeveloped in 2014 at a £45m cost with a current capacity of 27,000, although it is arguably one of the best stadiums currently outside the top-flight.

13 Charlton Athletic - The Valley

At a capacity of 27,111, the Valley can generate one of the EFL's most vociferous atmospheres when full, as showcased in recent play-off campaigns in home successes over Doncaster Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers.

Plenty of modern-day superstars have graced the turf at this iconic stadium, having played host to Premier League football for eight seasons prior to their relegation in 2007.

Expect atmospheres to be at their best when the Addicks are facing off against bitter rivals such as Crystal Palace and Millwall in a South London Derby.

The Peninsula Stadium is, once again, one of the smallest in the entire EFL with a capacity of just 5,108.

However, being the home of Salford City, the Greater Manchester ground is a must-visit for all footballing connoisseurs as the Ammies look to rise up the divisions with well-documented financial backing.

Many of the 'Class of 92' have been in attendance such as David Beckham, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, and the first two of the quartet will continue to oversee matters after recently plugging in an £11.3-15m cash injection as part of a new consortium, with the aim of Championship football very much at the forefront of their minds.

11 Brisbane Road - Leyton Orient

Brisbane Road has been Leyton Orient's home since 1937, with the East London-based stadium having a nice blend of old and modern stands.

The East Stand, which houses both Orient and away supporters, has largely remained unchanged since being expanded in 1962, is by far the oldest section of the 9,271-capacity ground.

Like several of the aforementioned stadiums, Brisbane Road's unique quirk, which was evident in the recent FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, was the sheer amount of spectators watching the match from flats that back onto the pitch and adding to the atmosphere as a result.