Celtic Park

Celtic Park traces its history to 1888, when Celtic opened their first ground in Parkhead. The club moved to the present site in 1892, where an oval stadium with vast terracing took shape. The current all-seater layout, with a capacity of 60,355, dates from a rebuild completed in 1998.

Construction and opening

After the move in 1892, the site was developed into an oval-shaped stadium with enormous terracing sections. The record attendance of 83,500 was set at an Old Firm derby on 1 January 1938. Between 1957 and 1971, the terraces were covered and floodlights installed.

Major renovations

The Taylor Report required major clubs to have all-seater stadia by August 1994. Celtic were in a poor financial position in the early 1990s, and no major work began until Fergus McCann took control of the club in March 1994. The old terraces were demolished and a new stadium built in a phased rebuild completed in August 1998. A section of rail seating was added in 2016.

Notable moments

Before the First World War, Celtic Park hosted a remarkable range of events, including the 1897 Track Cycling World Championships, track and field, and composite rules shinty-hurling. Open-air Masses and wartime recruitment drives were held there. In 2014 it staged the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games and has hosted concerts by The Who and U2.

Celtic Park is renowned as one of the loudest and most atmospheric stadiums in Europe. The roar generated by 60,355 spectators on steep stands earned the ground its nickname, Paradise. The home environment of Celtic is especially famous on matchdays against the club's city rivals.

Fan culture

Celtic supporters have made Celtic Park one of the most celebrated sporting venues in the British Isles. Fervent singing, sustained noise and large-scale displays are hallmarks of the ground. It is informally called Parkhead after the surrounding district and Paradise by the fans, a nickname that captures the near-spiritual bond supporters feel with the place.

Big matches

The highlight of every season is the Old Firm derby against Rangers, when the stadium is at its most intense; it was at such a fixture on 1 January 1938 that the record crowd of 83,500 assembled. Celtic Park has also hosted Scotland internationals and cup finals when Hampden Park was out of action, making it a major stage in Scottish football.

Celtic Park sits in the Parkhead area in the east of Glasgow, roughly three kilometres from the city centre. With a capacity of 60,355, it is the home of Celtic and one of Scotland's most popular sporting destinations for fans and visitors alike.

How to get there

The stadium lies about three kilometres east of central Glasgow, reachable from the city by train, bus or on foot along the main routes into Parkhead. On matchdays it is wise to allow extra time, as the surrounding streets fill with tens of thousands of supporters.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Celtic league matches are sold through the club's official channels, with demand especially high for derbies and European fixtures. The ground is a popular destination beyond matchdays too.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: on matchdays come early, as the atmosphere around the ground builds for hours beforehand.
• What to expect: steep stands and the roaring backdrop of 60,355 spectators in a venue nicknamed Paradise.
• What to focus on: the heritage of Celtic and the tradition of the Old Firm derby against Rangers.
• What to call it: the ground is also commonly known as Parkhead after the district it stands in.