Original Hampden Park, world's first international football stadium, given protected status

The site of the original Hampden Park, the world’s first international football stadium, has been given protected status.

Following a consultation, Historic Environment Scotland has designated the grounds on Kingsley Avenue in the southside of Glasgow as a scheduled monument.

Built in 1873, it became the site of the world’s first international stadium and remained home to Queens Park FC and the Scotland national team until 1884.

The stadium was seen as a blueprint for football arenas ever since, and was the first to feature toilets, turnstiles, and grandstands for its spectators.

It also witnessed some of Scotland’s greatest ever victories, including a 5-1 win over England in 1882.

It was replaced by the second Hampden Park in 1884, before the current third version of the stadium in Mount Florida opened in 1903.

Remains of the first site were discovered following an archaeological excavation led by Archaeology Scotland in 2021.

Last year, concerns were raised that the grounds could be turned into flats following the closure of Hampden Bowling Club, leaving the site available for commercial redevelopment.

However, campaigners argued the site deserved to be celebrated as Scotland prepares for their first World Cup appearance since 1998.

“Football is Scotland’s national sport, and a key part of the identity of communities all over Scotland,” said Dara Parsons, head of designations at HES.

“The men’s national team will take part in their first World Cup finals for nearly 30 years in just over a month, and the excitement and anticipation building for those games is a keen reminder of the importance of the sport for so many people.

“It feels timely to recognise the central role that Scotland played in the development of the sport, and the place of First Hampden within that story.

“The remains of the pavilion at the First Hampden are a link to the earliest days of football in Scotland, and its importance to and impact on communities. It is a monument to our national game and to the origins of the modern football stadium.”

Significant support for the designation was received following a public consultation.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our consultation and share their valuable contributions,” Dara said.

“We had a great response, and we are looking to continue that engagement over the summer where we will be asking people to suggest important football heritage sites from across the whole of Scotland for us to investigate.”

The current Hampden’s greatest games include the 1991 Scottish Cup final. SNS Group

First Hampden was proposed for designation by Football’s Square Mile, the project to recognise, preserve and promote some of the earliest and most significant origins of association football in Glasgow and Scotland.

Commenting on the designation, Graeme Brown, engagement director, said: “The footballing world owes a debt of gratitude to the Hampden Bowling Club’s ‘boolers’ who passed down their story, explaining they were on the site of the First Hampden Park.

“Over the last 11 years, through Hampden Bowling Club, The Hampden Collection, and now centred in Football’s Square Mile, we have promoted the First Hampden site’s significance, through partnership, friendship and alliance, exploring its archaeology and cultural impact, and encouraged people to visit this footballing jewel.

“We are delighted that our designation application has been successful, and the site of the First Hampden is now nationally recognised and protected. We see it not as a lost stadium site, but as a living and breathing asset within Scotland’s global footballing heritage.”