Quidditch pitch

"Zacharias Mumps describes the fourteenth-century pitch as oval-shaped, five hundred feet long and a hundred and eighty feet wide with a small central circle (approximately two feet in diameter) in the middle"

- The fourteenth-century pitch

An Quidditch pitch are typically in the shape of an oval, 500 feet long and 180 feet wide, with a small central circle of approximately 2 feet in diameter. At each end there are 3 hooped goal posts of different heights, surrounded by a scoring area. Because Quidditch is an aerial sport, Quidditch pitches usually feature spectator seating at high vantage points, whether in towers (such as at Hogwarts) or in a fully-encircling platform style (such as the British stadium that held the 1994 Quidditch World Cup).

Anti-muggle secruity
"Choose areas of deserted moorland far from Muggle habitations and make sure that you cannot be seen once you take off on your brooms. Muggle-repelling charms are useful if you are setting up a permanent pitch. It is advisable, too, to play at night."

- Zacharias Mumps emphasizing the need for anti-Muggle security on pitches

Quidditch pitches are built in places where they will not attract Muggle attention. This began in 1398 when the wizard Zacharias Mumps emphasized the need for anti-Muggle security while playing the game. The advice of Mumps must not have always been followed as in 1362, the Wizards' Council outlawed playing Quidditch within fifty miles of a known Muggle town. This was amended in 1368, possibly due to growing popularity of the game. This amendment made the playing of the sport within 100 miles of a Muggle town illegal. The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1692 made all Ministries of Magic responsible for the consequences of magical sports in their territories. The Department of Magical Games and Sports was created for this purpose. Quidditch teams that flouted Ministry guidelines were disbanded. One such instance was the Banchory Bangers.

Burning Baskets
"Bring Back Our Baskets! This was the cry heard from Quidditch fans across the nation last night as it became clear that the Department of Magical Games and Sports had decided to burn the baskets used for centuries for goal-scoring in Quidditch"

- The Daily Prophet

In 1883, baskets had been ceased to exist and were replaced by goalposts much to the anger of Quidditch fans in Europe. The Quidditch Pitch has not beeen altered since.

Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch
"Hundreds of seats were raised in stands around the pitch so thespectators were high enough to see what was going on. At either end of the pitch were golden poles with hoops on the end."

- The Quidditch Pitch in 1991

Hogwarts has it's own pitch where Quidditch teams practice and play games against each other. Each year will see a total of six inter-house matches, along with numerous training sessions by each house team. In 1994, it was used in the Thrid Task.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)