Kirklees Stadium
Template:Football stadium The Galpharm Stadium is a multi-use sports stadium based in Huddersfield, in the Borough of Kirklees, in Yorkshire and the Humber, United Kingdom.
Construction
During planning and construction, the stadium was referred to as the Kirklees Stadium. It was awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture in 1995.
The stadium hosted its first match in August 1994 when Huddersfield Town were beaten 1-0 by Wyconbe Wanderers in Football League Division 2. The stadium is estimated to have cost £40 million and is owned by a consortium made up of Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants in a 40:40:20 proportion.
When the stadium first opened only the two side stands (the Riverside and Kilner Bank stands) were ready. The South Stand was opened four months later in December 1994. Seating 4,054, this is built into natural banking and is the most basic of the three stands. Behind it lies a car park and a golf driving range. Construction on the North Stand began in 1996 and it was completed in 1997, bringing the overall capacity of the stadium to an estimated 24,500.
Sponsorship
Until 2004 it was known as the McAlpine Stadium. Alfred McAlpine was the main contractor in construction of the stadium and had the name built into the deal for payment (for 10 years). Alfred McAlpine elected not to renew their sponsorship; this was taken up by Galpharm Healthcare, leading to the new title.
Its stands are the Pink Link Stand (away support), the Antich Stand, the Riverside Stand and the Panasonic Stand.
Sporting venue
The Galpharm stadium is home to Huddersfield Giants rugby league football club and Huddersfield Town association football club. It is also a regular venue for international rugby league, hosting Bradford Bulls World Club Challenge matches along with several semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.
It has hosted international rugby league and football games, most recently England (football) under 17's qualifying match against Italy.
Concert venue
In the summer of 1995 an American band R.E.M. gave a concert at the venue which, over the course of two days, some 70,000 people attended.
Elton John, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Eagles, Beautiful South and Blue have also performed concerts.
External links
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