Spurs supporter Emma de Duve gave her assessment on the club’s new 62,062-seater venue after travelling down from Nottingham for the opening game

After nearly two seasons of waiting, the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally hosted its first Premier League game on Wednesday April 3 2019 when Crystal Palace visited N17.

Fans had been waiting and waiting after months of delays and uncertainty. I was so excited that August 2018 would be the time I would get to see the amazing new ground.

From the moment I found out that the stadium was being revamped I was eager to know what it would look like when it was done.

Once the announcements came out about the issues and delays, I started to wonder just how long it would take for it to actually open.

I have had a season ticket at Tottenham for nearly 15 years and it has meant football has pretty much taken over my life!

My love of football came from my dad Trevor. From the age of four I’ve played and watched which has taken up lots of time and money, but I love it. I may have been forced into it, but I can’t thank my dad enough.

As an avid Tottenham fan myself, I have been eager to see what the stadium and the atmosphere would bring to matches and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

The total capacity of the ground is 62,062; the largest capacity club football stadium in London and it features a single-tier stand of 17,500 fans, which is where I’m lucky enough to have my season ticket.

Something I immediately noticed as I took my seat was how close all the supporters get to be to the pitch.

The front row is only five metres from the pitch and the sound from the South Stand echoes across the whole ground.

Standing up for the whole match proved just how excited we all were and created an electric atmosphere.

The opening ceremony consisted of singing, waving flags and memories being made that I don’t think any fan could ever forget.

Travelling back from university for the evening, just to see the match, I was really debating whether the two-hour journey would be worth it.

I had been to a mini tour of the new stadium in December 2018 so I didn’t know if I would be as amazed as I was the first time, but I was.

The fact there were tens of thousands of fans all so excited and singing at the tops of their voices made it all worthwhile.

I don’t think I’ve ever got to my seat an hour and a half before kick-off, but my dad, sister and I all wanted to make the most of it on Wednesday.

Even the bars and food places were amazing. The unique microbrewery makes it feel like you aren’t just in a football stadium, but in a place where all the hard work, time and money has paid off and given something that the fans can be proud of.

My dad has gone so far as to describe it as his “favourite place in the world.” He may have had a few beers, but I can truly see why him, and a lot of other life-long fans, would think this.

To end the night with a 2-0 win made me even more pleased that I had made the journey home for the game. There will never be a night like it and it will definitely be one I never forget.

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