Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Vs Arsenal Women’s

Matchday 27 unfolded as another excursion to London, constituting the fourth game within a six-day span. This particular outing held special significance—it was the North London Derby featuring Tottenham Hotspur Women’s against Arsenal Women’s, marking our first Derby encounter of the 92. Notably, it was also our fourth time witnessing Arsenal Women’s in action. The uniqueness of this match was further accentuated by the venue—the remarkable Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Incredibly, tickets for this encounter were priced at an astonishingly affordable £15 for myself and a mere £3.50 for Liam—truly a fantastic deal! 

With a noon kick-off looming, an early morning start was imperative. What better way to kickstart the day than with another delectable Tim Hortons breakfast? As we concluded our meal, a swift check on the travel time revealed an unexpected twist—Uxbridge, our initial destination, was now situated within the ULEZ zone. Given this revelation, and considering Amanda’s car for its proximity to the next service, a hasty dash home ensued to swap vehicles. This slight detour added approximately 15 minutes to our departure time. The drive to Uxbridge unfolded as a pleasant two-hour journey, but our tube expedition, involving a transition from the Metropolitan line to the Victoria Line, consumed about an hour. It dawned on us during the tube ride that we were at risk of missing kick-off, with the walk from the station to the ground exceeding 30 minutes. Hence, we briskly walked, making only a quick stop to purchase a scarf. The initial asking price from a vendor was an outrageous £20, prompting me to walk away. Surprisingly, just minutes down the road, another vendor sold identical scarfs for a more reasonable £10. Madness! With the scarf in hand, we continued our brisk journey to the ground, frequently checking the time. Upon arrival, extensive bag checks awaited us, and despite sizable queues, we managed to reach our seats a mere 20 seconds after kick-off.

Now, let’s delve into five intriguing facts about the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, adding an extra layer of appreciation to our experience:

1. Inauguration and Architecture: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium officially opened its doors on April 3, 2019, replacing the historic White Hart Lane. Renowned for its cutting-edge architecture, the stadium boasts a unique asymmetrical design, providing excellent sightlines for spectators.
2. Seating Capacity and Facilities: With a seating capacity of approximately 62,850, the stadium stands as one of the largest football venues in London. Beyond football matches, it hosts various events and concerts. The stadium also features premium hospitality suites, ensuring a diverse range of experiences for attendees.
3. Pitch Accessibility: The innovative retractable pitch system sets the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium apart. The football pitch can be rolled away, revealing a synthetic turf surface beneath. This flexibility allows the venue to host NFL games and other events seamlessly.
4. Sky Walk and The Dare Skywalk: A distinctive feature of the stadium is the Sky Walk, an external walkway offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. Additionally, The Dare Skywalk provides thrill-seekers with the opportunity to experience an adrenaline-pumping walk around the stadium’s iconic golden cockerel.
5. Sustainability Efforts: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium incorporates eco-friendly initiatives, including rainwater harvesting systems, on-site renewable energy generation, and the use of recycled materials in construction. These efforts contribute to the stadium’s sustainability and environmental responsibility.
   

Returning to the matchday experience, the view within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was absolutely breathtaking, undoubtedly the best stadium we had visited thus far. Every seat appeared to offer fantastic views, positioned remarkably close to the pitch. The thoughtful design of the stadium was evident, making it a standout among football venues. Kudos to Tottenham for this remarkable achievement.

The match itself didn’t live up to expectations, especially considering the stellar performances we had witnessed from Arsenal Women’s in previous games. Unfortunately, Tottenham Hotspur Women’s secured a 1-0 victory, capitalizing on a less-than-ideal performance from Arsenal.

At halftime, we explored the inside of the stadium, marveling at its grandeur. It felt more like an event arena than a traditional football stadium, with expansive stands and an open layout.

Post-match, our quest for a program led us to a merchandise stall outside, where we managed to procure one for £3 before heading to the tube station.

The journey home encountered delays in accessing the second tube towards Uxbridge due to earlier signal problems that occurred while we were at the game.

The overall travel time, from leaving the ground to returning home, took approximately 5 hours. Despite the day being quite lengthy, the opportunity to witness a Derby and revel in the splendor of the stadium made it all worthwhile.

Now, we have a couple of days of rest before Matchday 28, where we’ll once again watch four more games within an eight-day period during the festive season. Following that, a brief holiday awaits us in Scotland for New Year.