Sporting venues have long held a special place in the nation’s heart, as sites of drama, passion and competition. But in 1939, many of these beloved arenas were repurposed for a far grimmer contest: the Second World War.
During the conflict, stadiums, racecourses and playing fields became training grounds, supply depots and even prisoner-of-war camps, reflecting the total mobilisation of British society.
Despite these transformations, sport was never entirely extinguished. Informal matches and regional competitions continued, often serving as morale boosters.
By the war’s end in 1945, many of these grounds required extensive repairs before they could return to their original purpose. Grass had been torn up, stands damaged and facilities worn down. Today, these venues have returned to competitive fitness, and many sports fans may be unaware of their wartime history.
Here are 11 sporting venues that played a fascinating role during the Second World War:
Wembley Stadium, London
The symbolic home of English football, Wembley Stadium found its role shifting dramatically during the war, mirroring the broader disruption to national life. Although football matches continued intermittently, its famous pitch was also used for military drills and storage, while parts of the complex served civil defence purposes.
Following the Dunkirk evacuation in May–June 1940, Wembley was used as an emergency dispersal centre for returning British troops before they were moved elsewhere. Thousands of evacuated troops and European refugees were temporarily accommodated and provided with supplies at the venue.
Just three days after the final Allied troops were rescued from the French coast, Wembley hosted the inaugural Football League War Cup Final on June 8, 1940. The match, in which West Ham United defeated Blackburn Rovers 1-0, drew a crowd of 43,000. Among the spectators were hundreds of convalescing British Expeditionary Force soldiers who had been recently evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk.
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Old Trafford, Manchester
Famously home to Manchester United, Old Trafford was requisitioned by the military and used as a depot and transit camp. The stadium suffered heavy damage during the Manchester Blitz – first in December 1940 and again in March 1941 – when a Luftwaffe raid destroyed much of the main South Stand and wrecked the pitch.
As a result, the club relocated to Manchester City’s Maine Road until 1949, when the rebuilt stadium reopened. Beyond the destruction, the site and surrounding area were used for wartime logistics and emergency coordination.
Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside
Across the country, racecourses proved especially adaptable to wartime needs. Best known for hosting the Grand National, Aintree Racecourse was converted into a military installation and later used as a camp for American forces. Troops were stationed there in preparation for operations in Europe, and the wide expanse of the racecourse proved ideal for accommodating large numbers of personnel and equipment.
Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey
Epsom Downs, best known for hosting the Derby, was turned into a military site during both World Wars. In the Second World War, the racecourse functioned as a training ground for the Home Guard and military units, with grenade practice and mock battles taking place on the downs. The grandstand was used for accommodation, and trenches were dug into the turf to prevent enemy aircraft from landing. Canadian troops were also stationed there.
The Derby was relocated to Newmarket during the war, partly to reduce disruption to wartime work and travel.
Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk
During the Second World War, Newmarket – heart of British horse racing – served a dual purpose. Racing continued on a limited basis, making it one of the few centres where the sport persisted during the war.
Meanwhile, parts of Newmarket Heath were taken over by the RAF and developed into RAF Newmarket, used primarily for training and operational support rather than as a major frontline bomber base. Essential facilities, including the main grandstand in the public enclosure and the running rails, were demolished to make way for airfield runways and military operations. The areas behind the stands and around the parade ring suffered severe wear and tear from being used as a US military motor transit and repair depot for vehicles like jeeps and tanks. After the war, the racecourses required significant restoration.
Kempton Park Racecourse, Surrey
The wide, enclosed spaces of racecourses made them suitable for holding captured enemy soldiers. Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey was converted into a prisoner-of-war camp, particularly from 1942 to 1945, and served as a transit point for German prisoners, including some captured after the D-Day landings in 1944.
All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon
Founded in 1868, the All England Lawn Tennis Club is globally renowned as the home of the Wimbledon Championships. During the Second World War, however, it underwent a dramatic transformation. Requisitioned by the government, the site became a civil defence and military centre.
The clubhouse was used by the Home Guard, decontamination units and emergency services, while parts of the grounds were turned over to food production, including livestock such as pigs and rabbits.
The site was hit during the Blitz: on 11 October 1940, bombs struck the club, severely damaging Centre Court and leaving it unusable for several years. The area continued to face further attacks later in the war.
The Oval Cricket Ground, London
Shortly after war was declared in September 1939, The Oval in Kennington was taken over by the War Office. Matches were suspended or heavily reduced, and the ground was used for military training, air raid precautions and equipment installations, including anti-aircraft and searchlight positions.
Its open space made it suitable for drills and temporary structures. Although plans were made to use it as a prisoner-of-war site, it was not significantly used for that purpose. After the war, substantial work was required to restore the playing surface.
Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Often called the ‘Home of Cricket’, Lord’s remained active in a limited capacity during the war. While first-class cricket was suspended, other matches continued to support morale and raise funds for war charities.
The ground also served military purposes. It functioned as an aircrew reception centre, where RAF recruits underwent medical examinations and were issued kit. The Nursery Ground was used as a base for a barrage balloon unit. (Barrage balloons were tethered blimps that forced enemy aircraft to fly at higher altitudes, disrupting bombing accuracy and making planes more vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire.)
During a storm in 1940, a barrage balloon broke free and dragged its cable across the Grand Stand, dislodging the iconic Father Time weathervane and sending it toppling into the seating area below. The weathervane was stored safely for the remainder of the war and reinstalled in 1946.
Highbury Stadium, London
Arsenal’s Highbury stadium in North London was requisitioned as an Air Raid Precautions centre and later used for storage. Parts of the pitch were dug up for wartime use, while the stands housed equipment.
Arsenal temporarily relocated to White Hart Lane, sharing their rivals Tottenham Hotspur’s ground for home fixtures.
White Hart Lane, London
Tottenham Hotspur’s ground was also drawn into the war effort, serving as a centre for civil defence during sustained bombing campaigns. The stadium suffered damage from air raids, and its facilities were repurposed for wartime use.
Parts of White Hart Lane were used as storage areas and, reportedly, as a temporary mortuary during heavy bombing periods. The ground also hosted Arsenal’s home matches, reflecting a rare moment of cooperation between fierce rivals.
