From state of the art beer dispensers in Europe's longest bar, cashless transactions and the phasing out of single-use plastic - the lowdown on Tottenham's new home
Monday 25 March 2019 21:38, UK
Tottenham made a long-awaited return to their new and improved home on Sunday, opening the doors to their £1billion stadium.
Some 679 days after the final game at White Hart Lane, and six months after the initial September 15 opening date, the first of two official test events were held at the 62,000-seat arena as Spurs' U18 side beat Southampton 3-1.
28,987 lucky fans attended the landmark event, which saw J'Neil Bennett score the first goal at the ground.
A Tottenham legends team take on Inter Milan in a second test event on Saturday before Spurs host Crystal Palace in the Premier League in their first competitive game at the ground on April 3.
But for Spurs fans not attending the test events, what awaits them at their new home? Here's everything all you need to know about the brand-new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
Mauricio Pochettino was overcome with emotion as finally saw their dream of a new stadium materialise.
"We all feel the same, so excited, " he said. "I got the same feeling when we left White Hart Lane on the last day, we were crying and now in the first day in the new stadium we feel the same emotion. We need to cry because our dream became true."
Sky Sports News reporter Jeremy Langdon was on the scene to soak up the atmosphere at Spurs' big unveiling…
"It was like going home for the 30,000 lucky Spurs fans who flocked to their new stadium and were back at White Hart Lane to see a team in white play for the first time since May 2017.
"Many were standing in the sunshine outside simply gawping in awe, their mobile phones and tablets held high. Some even said they were shaking. Others spoke of their emotion. One was nearly in tears afterwards. All spoke of their pride and that, with a 62,000 capacity, Spurs' new home is bigger than Arsenal's.
"Inside, the stadium itself is incredible and now the second biggest Premier League venue. The sweeping curves are spectacular and pleasing on the eye.
"The high and tight steep stands are surely what a proper football stadium should be. There are echoes of the old White Hart Lane here.
"Note to West Ham - this is how it should be done. Chelsea will be green with envy. The NFL will be drooling too."
Jeremy Langdon's tips for ensuring your visit to Tottenham's new stadium is a seamless, enjoyable experience.
"The friendliness and the new Spurs fan ambassadors stood out as they helped supporters get in. There were very visible bag searches and lots of security. The onus is on having small and clear bags to speed up access.
"Some advice: leave your car and leave your notes - this is a cashless stadium. Forget about bringing anything big and think hard about driving too. The road closure zone around the new stadium makes coming by car even trickier than it was before."
Spurs have left no stone unturned in the development of their new ground, installing state of the art beer dispensers that will cut waiting time for pints.
These can be found throughout the ground but notably in the 65-metre bar running the entire length of the goal line - The Goal Line Bar - which will be the longest bar in Europe.
The much talked-about VIP cheese room may have been scrapped, but there are plenty of other reasons to be excited.
The stadium will have a wide range of hospitality and catering offerings, including food options ranging from burger and steak sandwiches to Asian street food.
The stadium also contains a 180-bedroom upscale hotel, while Michel Roux Jr, Chris Galvin and Dipna Anand have been named on the chef line-up for the stadium's Michelin-starred dining experiences.
The public square outside the stadium will provide what the club describes as a "focal point for supporters and community", with space for fan-themed events and local events run by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
Among the other offerings is a 'Sky Walk' - a unique visitor attraction which will allow fans to climb the exterior of the stadium up to 40 metres high.
The stadium will be open 365 days a year, according to the club, with a museum and stadium tour on offer as well as retail experiences and conference and banqueting facilities.
Spurs host Crystal Palace in their first competitive game in their new stadium - and you can follow it on Sky Sports.
Tune into Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7pm on April 3 as Laura Woods and a host of guests will be pitchside for the opening ceremony before kick-off (7.45pm).
You can then follow minute-by-minute coverage and in-game clips of the match on the Sky Sports app and skysports.com, with highlights available 15 minutes after the full-time whistle.
It was originally proposed that the stadium would hold 58,000, but the capacity has gradually increased as the plans have evolved. The final capacity was confirmed last year as 62,062 - a considerable increase on White Hart Lane's 36,284.
That capacity includes a single-tier 'Kop' style stand which contains 17,500 seats. The idea is that it will be reminiscent of Borussia Dortmund's 'Yellow Wall' which has helped the German side generate one of the best matchday atmospheres in Europe.
The distance between the single tier and the goal line is just five metres - meaning fans will be closer to the action than at any other newly developed Premier League stadium.
With its overall capacity of 62,062, Tottenham's new stadium will be the second-largest club ground in England - behind only Manchester United's Old Trafford, which currently holds 74,994.
Tottenham's new home beats the Emirates Stadium, which holds 60,260, and also West Ham's London Stadium, which is currently capped at 60,000.
Adult season ticket prices range from £795 to £2,200, while under-18s can expect to pay between £397.50 to £562.50.
Planning permission was submitted in 2009 but it wasn't until 2015 that the various hurdles were cleared and construction could finally begin.
The new arena will be temporarily known as 'Tottenham Hotspur Stadium', with the intention being to sell the naming rights to the stadium in due course.
Tottenham have a 10-year partnership with the NFL, making the new stadium a dedicated home for the sport in the United Kingdom.
The grass football pitch at the stadium will be retractable and sit above an artificial surface which will be used for NFL games - as well as concerts and other events. The stadium will be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom to have two pitches inside the same bowl.
At present, the NFL intend to host two NFL games at the stadium in 2019. Other customised designs for the NFL include a dedicated entrance on the east side of the stadium, dressing rooms and media facilities.
