England to play home matches away from Wembley in 2016, says Martin Glenn

The Football Association’s chief executive Martin Glenn has confirmed England will hold home matches away from Wembley Stadium in 2016.

Sky Sports revealed in September that the FA had held high-level discussions over playing some friendlies away from the national stadium and the change in policy could come into effect next May as England play two matches prior to the European Championships in France.  

Wembley previously held a contract to host all England home matches, but Glenn is hoping a move to play games at purpose-built club stadiums will help improve the atmosphere at international fixtures. 

"The England brand is more than London. We've effectively refinanced the stadium which gives us a lot more financial stability, so from next year we will be holding some England games out of Wembley and that is as good a guarantee as you are going to get," Glenn told talkSPORT. 

"Our aspiration is before the Euros and Roy [Hodgson, the England manager] would love to do it because it would get a real buzz behind the country and behind the team.

We've effectively refinanced the stadium which gives us a lot more financial stability, so from next year we will be holding some England games out of Wembley and that is as good a guarantee as you are going to get

"What you'll get is something a bit different. It's not fortress Wembley whereas if you go elsewhere, say Old Trafford or the Stadium of Light, you will get a lot more buzz. For 20,000 fewer people, you will get a lot more atmosphere."

England have played all their home games at Wembley since a 1-0 defeat by Spain at Old Trafford in February 2007.

During the redevelopment of Wembley between 2001 and 2007, England played their home fixtures in grounds across the country. Old Trafford, St James' Park, Anfield, Villa Park and White Hart Lane were among the stadiums used during that six-year period.

Premier League champions Chelsea are hoping to push ahead with their planned £500m redevelopment of Stamford Bridge and have indicated their desire to use Wembley as their temporary home during those works. 

Tottenham have already begun their redevelopment of White Hart Lane, but will need to spend the 2017/18 season away from their north London home in order to complete their expansion to a 61,000 capacity stadium.  

Spurs, who have also earmarked MK Dons' Stadium MK in Milton Keynes as a potential temporary home, have indicated their desire to use Wembley as well and Glenn has refused to rule out a potential ground share between the two London clubs. 

"Building in London is a nightmare and they both have ambitious plans - the question is what they do in the interim," he added. 

"Both would prefer sole status somewhere but it's difficult. We are looking at whether we could get a ground share but there's still work that needs to be done.

"There are other obligations at Wembley with other sporting events, so there is some work to say is it theoretically possible but we are here to try to be as helpful as we can."