The 24th season of the English Premier League commenced on the 8th of August 2015 and will feature a total of 20 teams competing against each other over the course of 10 months. Nearly 400 games have been scheduled at stadiums and venues across the United Kingdom and will go on until the event's conclusion on the 15th of May, 2016. For Muslims who plan on attending the matches, we have compiled a list of some of the main match venues of the event, along with what Muslim-friendly facilities that will be available in each area.
Location: London
Previously known as Ashburton Grove, Emirates Stadium is the home of Arsenal Football Club. The stadium offers Muslims a small prayer room located at block 7, lower tier, and can be identified by the sign that denotes a multi-faith prayer room. The stadium's catering parter – Delaware North Companies – offers an extensive range of food items including chicken burgers that have been assured Halal, and several other fast food options, salads, desserts and beverages.
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Location: Birmingham
The home of Aston Villa Football Club since 1897, the Villa Park football stadium is located in the district of Witton in Birmingham and is capable of accommodating over 42,000 spectators split between four stands. Though the availability of prayer rooms at Villa Park stadium is not known, the nearest mosque to the stadium is the Birmingham Central Mosque located a few kilometres away.
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Location: Bournemouth
Dean Court Stadium is also known as the Vitality Stadium and is the home ground of A.F.C. Bournemouth. The closest mosque to the Dean Court Stadium is the Bournemouth Centre and Central Mosque at 4 St Stephen's Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 6JJ – located a five minute drive away. Some of the nearest Halal restaurants to Dean Court Stadium include Bournemouth Tandoori on Holdenhurst Road, Pasa on Charminster Road and Zayekka, also on Charminster Road.
Location: London
Built in 1876, Stamford Bridge is the home ground of Chelsea Football Club. Located within the Moore Park Estate, the stadium is also known as The Bridge and is one of the largest grounds in the Premier League. The nearest mosques to Stamford Bridge are the Islamic Culture & Education Centre at 75 Falcon Road and the Mayfair Islamic Centre at 19 Hertford Street. Halal restaurants in the area include Ryath Indian Tandoori – a popular Indian restaurant located at 32 Norfolk Pl.
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Location: London
Selhurst Park is an association football stadium that is the home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. The closest mosques to Selhurst Park are the Masjid Uthman at 1-3 Clifford Road and the Thornton Heath Mosque & Islamic Centre at 150 Gillett Road. There are also a few Halal restaurants in the area for dining options.
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Location: Liverpool
One of the oldest purpose-built football grounds in the world, Goodison Park is located in Walton, Liverpool, and has been the home ground of Everton Football Club since 1892. In addition to the prayer room at the stadium, it is possible to visit a few of the mosques in the vicinity such as the Altaiseer Mosque and Al Taiseer Mosque that are located a few minutes away.
Location: Leicester
King Power Stadium – also known as the Leicester City Stadium – is the home ground of Leicester City Football Club. The Leicester Central Mosque, Masjid Umar, Jamia Masjid Bilal and Masjid Aisha Leicester are some of the mosques in close proximity to King Power Stadium, while Halal restaurants in the area include Marina Fast Food down Braunstone Lane and several other Halal restaurants along Narborough Road.
Location: Liverpool
England's seventh largest football stadium – Anfield – is the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892. It features four stands – the Spion Kop, Main Stand, Centenary Stand and Anfield Road – and is capable of seating over 45,000 spectators. The stadium has made plans to implement a prayer room in the near future.
Location: Manchester
Also known as the City of Manchester Stadium, Etihad Stadium is the home of the Manchester City Football Club. It was initially built to host the Commonwealth Games 2002 and has since then hosted many significant sporting events over the years. A fully-equipped prayer room is available at Etihad Stadium and Halal food can be found in quite a few restaurants in the near vicinity.
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Location: Norwich
Carrow Road football stadium is the home of the Norwich City Football Club and is located in Norwich, Norfolk, England. Ihsan Islamic Centre at 17 Chapel Field and the East Anglian Bangladeshi Islamic Centre at 70-72 Rose Lane are two of the closest mosques to the stadium. There are several Halal restaurant close to Carrow Road Stadium as well, such as the Saffron Indian Take Away at 229 Queens Road and Nando's Restaurant.
Location: West Bromwich
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium located in West Bromwich that is home to the West Bromwich Albion Football Club since 1900. Masjid Usman Smethwick, Dudley Road Mosque and the Lozells Central Mosque are some of the mosques located close to the stadium a few minutes away.
Location: London
Often referred to as Upton Park, Boleyn Ground is an association football stadium that has been home to the West Ham United Football Club since 1904. Though a prayer room is not available at Boleyn Ground, mosques in the vicinity include the Masjid Ibrahim & Islamic Centre at 122 Narborough Road - located a couple of minutes away.
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