West Brom, Leeds United and Birmingham City FC amongst most popular clubs to get married in

With Google searches for ‘unusual wedding’ up 69% more than normal and ‘wedding ideas’ up by 35% in the last three months according to Google Trends, the wedding experts at leading wedding vendor marketplace Hitched.co.uk have compiled a list of sporting venues that sport lovers can tie the knot in.

Top 20 Sporting Venues in the UK

Looking at the number of Google Reviews for each of the 96 sporting venues listed on the Hitched vendor marketplace, as well as the number of photos tagged for each on Instagram, the wedding experts can reveal the most popular venues amongst sports lovers across the UK.

Racecourses

With over 110,000 photos tagged to the location on Instagram and more than 3,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, Kempton Park is the most popular sports venue for sports lovers to get hitched in.

This racecourse is set amidst 400 acres of immaculate grounds, giving couples plenty of space to create their dream day from the ground up, while the multiple in-house services and grounds are a lovely choice for couples to show off their inner equestrian.

Chester and York Racecourses follow suit as some of the most popular horse racing venues in the UK, each with around 4,000 positive Google Reviews and 70,000 photos tagged to each on Instagram. With unparalleled facilities, top-notch service, and idyllic backdrops, a racecourse wedding promises an unforgettable journey into matrimony.

There are more than ten racecourses listed on Hitched, including Aintree in Merseyside, the Royal Windsor Racecourse in Berkshire, and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse in Wrexham.

Credit: York Racecourse

Football Clubs

While football fans might be hurting after England’s loss to Spain in the 2024 Euros, certain fans can turn their hurt around by getting married in the grounds of their favourite clubs.

West Bromwich Albion FC grounds is the most popular football stadium in the UK for couples to tie the knot, with over 52,000 photos of the grounds on Instagram and more than 3,500 reviews on TripAdvisor. The unique wedding venue even has three five-star reviews from happy couples who have already tied the knot in this iconic venue.

The Stadium of Light is the ninth largest football stadium in England, but thanks to the more than 5,000 positive Google Reviews and 40,000 Instagram posts, it’s also the second-most popular stadium venue amongst football fans. While the stadium is used primarily for Sunderland A.F.C home games, this iconic venue can host up to 1,000 guests for a truly one of a kind wedding experience, including private entrance, complete red carpet experience, and a range of packages for every budget.

There are more than ten football grounds listed on the Hitched vendor marketplace, including West Bromwich Albion F.C in the West Midlands, Leeds United in Leeds, and Manchester City F.C in Greater Manchester.

Credit: Stadium of Light

Rugby Stadiums

Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh is owned by the Scottish Rugby Union who has its headquarters based at the stadium, and is the national stadium of the Scotland national rugby union team. The stadium is the most popular venue in Scotland for sports lovers to tie the knot, with just over 7,500 positive reviews on Google.

This historical sporting arena offers a rich and exhilarating atmosphere for any special occasion, with vibrant lights, a verdant pitch, and exclusive use of the venue's VIP areas. Rugby fans can also exchange vows on the magnificent pitch where remarkable athletes have stood before.

There are more than 14 Rugby clubs listed on the Hitched vendor marketplace, including Cinch Stadium in Northamptonshire, Craven Park in Hull, Yorkshire and Richmond Athletic Ground, West London.

Credit: Annie Lovett Photography

Motorsports Venues

The British Motor Museum is the most popular of the sporting venues, with more than 8,000 Google Reviews from previous visitors. This unique wedding venue is home to the world’s largest collection of historic British cars.

Filled with historically significant artefacts, the museum can be explored by up to 400 guests during a drinks reception and the cars can be used as a backdrop for wedding photography. Classic car lovers should also consider renting vintage transportation for their big day too.

Credit: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/

Zoe Burke, leading wedding expert and editor of Hitched.co.uk says: “With Google searches for unique wedding venues soaring, sporting wedding venues are an excellent choice for couples who want to add a little extra to their wedding days.

“Choosing to marry in a sports venue can offer an additional layer of personalisation to your day, particularly if the venue is home to a team or sport you’re passionate about. It can also provide more of an experience to your guests - something that is hugely important to couples when planning their weddings. Plus, lots of these venues offer amazing tours and photo opportunities that you just can’t get as an every day visitor.

“We have a wealth of amazing sports venues on Hitched, and I’d definitely encourage nearlyweds to consider them for a truly unique wedding celebration.”

For more information on unique wedding venues, please visit: https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-venues/unique-weddings-wedding-venues/