The Premier League Grounds that Once Hosted Greyhound Racing

Nowadays, most greyhound racing events have their own dedicated venues, with plenty of state-of-the-art greyhound stadiums located throughout the UK. But if you look through the history of the sport, you might be surprised to see a few familiar grounds that you might not associate with the sport.

Indeed, some Premier League football stadiums, now home to some of the most enthralling top-level football on the planet, once played host to greyhound racing, with thousands cramming inside to get a view of the action. Before you place your next greyhound bet, let’s take a quick dive into the history of the sport and look at the Premier League venues that have once been the site of racing action.

Stamford Bridge

As one of the most famous stadiums in England, Stamford Bridge has a rich history, and there have been plenty of memorable moments for Chelsea Football Club at the ground. Although the stadium is now solely a football venue, after its renovations in the 1990s, it was once a hive of greyhound racing activity, and many will have fond memories of nights at the races there. 

First built in 1876, Stamford Bridge played host to greyhound racing for some 35 years, from 1933 to 1968. In the end, the decision was made to close the stadium to the sport, and despite an attempt in the 1970s to bring greyhound racing back to the West London venue, it has never returned. 

Vicarage Road

Probably the Premier League ground with the richest greyhound racing history, Vicarage Road boasts a unique relationship with the sport. As the home of Watford FC, the stadium has been redeveloped gradually over a number of years, making it a prime football venue, but it was once a thriving greyhound racing location for many years.

Greyhound racing was first held at Vicarage Road in 1928, and the sport was active there for some 50 years, before Watford FC announced that it would be ending greyhound events in order to make improvements to the ground. The last meeting took place in October 1978, and there are no doubt plenty of locals in the are who have fond memories of heading down for a night at the tracks at the Vic.

Elland Road 

Heading up north now, and Leeds United’s Elland Road also has an interesting relationship with greyhound racing. Although the races were not held on the exact site of the stadium, there was an additional venue called Fullerton Park opposite the football stadium which hosted meetings, making Elland Road and its surroundings a one-stop sporting hub.

Fullerton Park was primarily built as a speedway stadium, but greyhound meetings were held there between 1927 and 1938. Although Elland Road does not quite boast the same greyhound racing pedigree as Stamford Bridge and Vicarage Road, it is still interesting to examine the ties between football venues and historical greyhound meetings which have taken place there.

Next time you make a trip to one of these three grounds to take in some Premier League action, remember that you’re at a venue where there were once some cracking greyhound races in times gone by!