SPURS FIRSTS

Tottenham Hotspur has always been described as a club of ‘firsts’ as we’ve blazed a trail throughout the game in this country and abroad down the years. In each programme this season, we will reflect on the matches, the people and the occasions that have seen us set the standard and helped shape our history.

FIRST MATCH AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM

Tonight’s visitors to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will always have a special place in this venue’s history as they became our first-ever opponents for a senior competitive game staged here.

After almost two years away from N17 while this incredible arena was taking shape, we opened for Premier League business on 3 April 2019 with Crystal Palace as our visitors. Two test events had previously taken place – an Under-18s fixture with Southampton and our Spurs Legends team taking on Inter Forever in a friendly, but the stadium was at full capacity for the first time when the Eagles made the short trip across London for our league game.

To mark the occasion, an Opening Ceremony was held which included a ‘Welcome Home’ video featuring our Chairman, Daniel Levy, and David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, performances by students from Gladesmore Community School, the Tottenham Hotspur Marching Band and award-winning tenor and Spurs fan Wynne Evans, who had brought the curtain down on White Hart Lane at The Finale in May 2017.

And finally, a spectacular fireworks display whipped around the roof of the stadium to leave the atmosphere at fever pitch as kick-off approached.