UK Stadiums: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
Ibrox Stadium is the home of Rangers Football Club, located in the Ibrox area of Glasgow, south of the River Clyde. Opened in 1899, it has undergone significant renovations over the years, and is now one of Scotland's most iconic football venues.
Today, Ibrox has a capacity of 50,817, making it the third-largest football stadium in Scotland, after Hampden Park and Celtic Park. The stadium is known for its passionate atmosphere, especially during Old Firm derbies against rivals Celtic. As well as football, Ibrox has hosted concerts and other sporting events such as rugby.
History
Originally a simple terraced ground, Ibrox was redeveloped in response to the 1902 Ibrox disaster, which led to improvements in stadium safety. A major reconstruction in the 1970s and 1980s, inspired by modern all-seater designs, resulted in the current stadium layout.
Stands
The four stands at Ibrox are the Main Stand (Bill Struth Main Stand), the Broomloan Stand, the Copland Road Stand and the Sandy Jardine Stand (previously the Govan Stand).
The Main Stand on the west side of the ground is the most historic and architecturally significant part of Ibrox, originally opened in 1928 and now a listed building. It features a grand red-brick façade with a traditional gabled roof. Inside, it houses the club's executive offices, dressing rooms, hospitality suites, and the directors' box. The stand has a three-tiered seating structure and is named after legendary manager Bill Struth.
The Broomloan Stand at the north end is a modern two-tier stand that typically hosts the more vocal home support. It offers excellent sightlines and a raucous atmosphere.
The Copland Road Stand at the south end of the ground is also two-tiered and home to some of the most passionate Rangers fans.
The Sandy Jardine Stand (previously the Govan Stand) on the east side connects the Broomloan and Copland Stands. It is notable for its Club Deck, which was added in the 1990s as part of the stadium's modernization. The Govan Stand also includes media facilities and family sections.
Rangers
Rangers along with rivals Celtic are the two powerhouses of football in Scotland. Rangers are nicknamed "The Gers," "The Light Blues" or "The Teddy Bears".
The club have won the Scottish title 55 times, the Scottish Cup 34 times as well as the Scottish League Cup a record 28 times and the domestic treble on seven occasions.
In Europe, the club won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 after losing in the final in both 1961 and 1967. The club also reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008, with fan violence outside Manchester City's stadium pre- and post-match and the UEFA Europa League Final in 2022, falling short on both occasions against Zenit and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Rangers remained in the top tier of Scottish football until a financial crisis during the 2011-12 season led the club into administration. The original company was subsequently liquidated, with the club's assets transferred to a new company structure. As a result, Rangers were admitted as an associate member of the Scottish Football League and placed in the fourth tier for the start of the following season. The club then achieved three promotions in four years, though they did lose 6-1 in SPFL Premiership play-off final to Motherwell in the 2014-2015 season before eventually returning to the Premiership for the 2016-17 season. During their rise through the lower leagues, Rangers became the only club in Scotland to have won every domestic trophy.
Club Legends
Rangers News lists the top 10 Rangers icons as John Greig, Ally McCoist, Davie Cooper, Jim Baxter, keeper Andy Goram, Sandy Jardine, Richard Gough, Barry Ferguson and Englishman Paul Gascoigne.
Successful managers at the club include legends Bill Struth and Walter Smith. Smith had two spells at the club from 1991 to 1998 and again from 2007 to 2011 between managing the Scottish national team and Everton, south of the border. Altogether, Smith steered Rangers to 10 league titles, five Scottish Cups as well as six League Cups. Other fondly-remembered coaches at Ibrox include Alex McLeish, Ally McCoist, Dick Advocaat, Scot Symon and even Steven Gerrard, who had a 64.8% win percentage during his spell in Scotland.
McCoist succeeded Walter Smith in the summer of 2011, thereby finding himself in charge of Rangers during a spell which included administration, liquidation and the re-starting of football business in Scotland's lowest professional tier.
Access - Getting To Ibrox
The easiest way to the ground is on the Glasgow Subway, with Ibrox Station just a short walk from the ground. Several bus routes also serve the area, stopping near Edmiston Drive. For those driving, limited parking is available nearby, though it's often congested, so public transport is recommended. On foot, the stadium is about a 40-minute walk from Glasgow city centre, ideal for fans looking to soak in the atmosphere en route.
Address: 150 Edmiston Drive, Glasgow G51 2XD, UK
Nearby Hotels
The city has many fine hotels to choose from. At the top end are the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel and the One Devonshire Gardens a Hotel Du Vin. Other recommended places to sat in Scotland's largest city are Dalziell House and the Tartan Lodge. See here for a complete accommodation list of available hotels in Glasgow.
Joji Imamiya
More UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
Gallery
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