AJ Bell Stadium/Salford City Stadium (Manchester)

The 11,500 capacity Stadium is the north-west’s hub for first class service in sports, events, conferencing and the home of Premiership Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club as well as Salford City Reds Super League team. AJ Bell Stadium is an inspirational landmark for the city of Salford and a go-to venue for state-of-the-art facilities accompanied with an unrivalled level of service and excellent value.

General information

Official website: www.ajbellstadium.co.uk

Arena capacity: 12,000 spectators

Address: AJ Bell Stadium, 1 Stadium Wy, Eccles, Manchester M30 7EY, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 53°28′10″N 2°22′30″W

Year of construction: 2012

Construction cost: £26 million

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 122 x 86 m

Seating plan of AJ Bell Stadium

The stadium has areas designated for standing supporters. This partial-standing design is similar to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of Warrington RLFC.

There are four stands:

• West Stand (main stand) including changing rooms, media centre, hospitality boxes, banqueting suite, capacity 4,500;
• Places2Be Stand (North) – all-standing, usually the away end; capacity 2,500;
• co.uk Stand (East) – all seating, capacity 2,500;
• AO Stand (South/THE SHED) – all-standing, home to hardcore Reds fans; identical to the North Stand, capacity 2,500.

The seats in the West and East Stands are red (for Salford) and blue (for Sale).

The development also includes offices, player facilities, concessions, community resources and two community outdoor sport pitches, a gym and the Sale Sharks Club Shop.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets for home fixtures are available to purchase from the AJ Bell Stadium Ticket Office, over the phone or online on www.eticketing.co.uk.

How to get there?

The stadium is situated at Barton, off the M60, junction 11. Postcode for sat navs: M30 7LJ GPS: (53.469091718355884, -2.3788297176361084).

Cycling & Walking

People are encouraged to walk or cycle to the Stadium. There are 14 double-sided bike racks. You must bring your own lock.

Buses

The AJ Bell Stadium is served by 2 bus routes. The 100 covering Warrington to Manchester and the 67 covering Manchester to Cadishead. There is a short walk from the bus stops. The supporter’s trust operate a fan’s bus details of which can be found here https://salfordrlfcst.com/sttravel/.

Metrolink

The nearest Metrolink station is at INTU Trafford Centre. There is an approx. 20-minute walk to the stadium from the Trafford Centre. The walk from Eccles Metrolink is approx. 35 minutes.

Train

The closest railway station to the site is Patricroft, 3.3km away (31-minute walk). There are several other railway stations nearby to the stadium, which can be accessed by bus services including Irlam (5.6 km / 1 hour 9 minute walk), and Eccles (3.7km/ 47 minute walk). Eccles and Patricroft stations are served by the Northern Rail service between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria; both of which have onward connections to the rest of the country. Irlam is served by service from Liverpool to Manchester Oxford Road.

Private Cars and Other Vehicles

There is limited car parking at AJ Bell Stadium and all match-by-match car parking must be pre booked by calling the ticket office and will be charged for. Car Park season tickets are also available to purchase from the AJ Bell Stadium. All passes must displayed on approach to the stadium. The car will be stewarded.

Disabled Parking

The stadium can accommodate a significant amount of disabled car parking bays 28 of which are wide. As with regular car parking spaces are limited and must be pre purchases by calling the stadium directly. Spaces are chargeable and blue badges must be displayed in the vehicles.

Motorcycles

There is motorcycle parking for up to 6 motorcycles. On a match day all motorcycle parking must be prepaid.

Coach Drop Off and Parking

There are laybys on stadium way for coach drop off and parking. Mini Bus and Coach parking is free of charge but must also be pre booked on match day by contacting the stadium.

Tram

Although the Manchester area is blessed with an extensive tram network, it doesn’t particularly serve the stadium. The nearest tram stop is Eccles, quite a long walk from the ground or you can pick up the 67 bus from there to complete your journey.

Helicopter

There is a Helipad situated at City Airport.

Where to eat and sleep?

There is a fan’s bar within the stadium that usually has some entertainment on to accompany your pint-supping before and after the game.

Although a modern stadium with good facilities, where the stadium really falls down is in its location. It’s well connected to the motorway network, but there aren’t many pubs or restaurants to speak of in the vicinity of the ground. Your best bet is to head into Manchester where there are plenty of places to eat and drink.

The City Centre of Manchester has plenty of accommodation for visitors. If you’re looking to stay near the ground however, here are a few options.

1. The Trafford Centre shopping complex has a Premier Inn and Travelodge on site.
2. Novotel Manchester West is a few miles North at Junction 13 of the M60.
3. The town of Sale itself is only 5 miles from the stadium, where you’ll find the Oakfield Court Apartment Hotel, Lennox Lea Hotel and Eskdale Lodge Hotel.
4. The Clayton Hotel at Manchester Airport is about 7 miles from the ground.
5. Salford Quays is 5 miles from the ground and following huge regeneration is a nice spot to base yourself when in the area. There are branches of the Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Ibis and Copthorne chains in the area. You can get great deals on a weekend but given the proximity to Old Trafford (home of Manchester United FC); prices may vary depending on their fixture schedule.

Facilities

AJ Bell Stadium, home of Rugby League and Union in Salford, combines state-of-the-art facilities, magnificent pitch-side views and excellent service to create an unforgettable location for conferencing and events.

The Irlam, Cadishead and Barton Lounges

With stunning views of the Manchester City skyline as well as overlooking the rugby pitch, the Irlam, Cadishead and Barton Lounges’ floor-to-ceiling windows add something special to any corporate event. Equipped with 2-x drop down projectors and screens, changeable coloured bulbs, and blackout facilities, the Lounges are a superb location for presentations, award ceremonies, conferences and meetings. They can be hired separately or together.

The City Suite

The stunning views of the Manchester City Skyline seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which spans the entire length of the pitch that it overlooks. The Main Suite provides 5 drop-down projectors and screens, adjustable colour wash lighting to fit branding and a PA system with in-built speakers. The combination of the extraordinary views and practical space makes The Main Suite offers fantastically unique venue conferences, boardroom meetings and training days.

The Willows Suite

The Willows Suite is a private meeting space located on the Executive Floor. This highly flexible suite is equipped with its own private bar facilities, allowing to cater for your private dinners, meetings, networking events, conferences or serve as an additional breakout space for workshops or refreshment breaks. Additionally, it is also equipped with a moveable screen & projector and reception space that can meet any catering, registration & networking requirements.

Executive Boxes

In addition to the extensive range of conference & event space, the ground has at its disposal a selection of 12 Executive Boxes.

Each of the boxes can hold up to 10 delegates in a boardroom style layout, with the added option of selecting one of the Double Executive Boxes, which can hold an increased amount of 20 in a boardroom style. Each Box contains their own wall mounted TV for presentations, with easy access points to link laptops, stunning pitch side views and private pitch side balcony access.

Accessibility

Disabled / carer seating is situated in front of Maggie’s North / Wellsprings South and West Stands. Elevated disabled / carer seating platforms are situated at each end of the MBNA East Stand, served by two access lifts. Disabled / carer seating is situated on the 2nd Floor balcony of the West Stand. All Exec boxes on the 3rd Floor have accessible viewing points for disabled spectators.

Toilets on the premises have step free access. The doors are wide enough for both a manual wheelchair and powerchair. There are grab rails, a raised toilet seat and easy turn taps.

All Stadium personnel have completed disability / equality training.

Architectural Aspects

This prominent venue has been crafted with the future in mind. The initial phase delivered 12,000 seats, with the potential to expand to 20,000. This opportunity considers the growth of the host clubs, creating an aspirational, future-proofed space to compete within.

Designed for versatility, the stadium is also UEFA compliant, hosting an England women’s Euro 2013 qualifying match and being the home to Manchester United’s under-21’s team.

The location provides a unique design opportunity: to give passersby a glimpse into the stadium.

Located alongside the Barton Bridge flyover, the design concept for a “pavilion in a park” creates an impactful first impression.

Within the Pavilion Stand, there is accommodation for club functions, conferences, and banqueting for up to 750 people. The stand is also accessible for the local community, allowing them to lease space and use the two community pitches and dedicated changing facilities.

Thus establishing the west stand as the focal point at 4,500 capacity, the remaining three stands are of dropped elevation and 2,500 capacity each. This creates a powerful visual effect with the two sides at opposition to each other in colour, height, and composition.

The stadium footprint has been kept to a minimum to impact on the site as little as possible.

Throughout the design, process materials and products, which have a suitable sustainable property, were specified. This has been proved through the BREEAM accreditation process with the majority of materials achieving a BREEAM Green Guide rating of A+ and A. All internal and external lighting is in accordance with CIBSE Guidelines. Many areas are controlled under PIRs to minimize energy demand. A BMS system has been incorporated to monitor this demand.

The Salteye Brook has been retained and embraced allowing for those habitats already in the area to remain and encourage the development of further habitats. This forms part of the Salteye ecological corridor. Lowland neutral grassland is the single most threatened type of grassland habitat in the UK and has suffered the greatest loss in years. Wildflower meadows were therefore included to the land associated with the stadium development.

Designing to guidance from the Green Guide and Accessible Stadia ensure that the stadium meets the needs for all users to enjoy.

The main entrance of the West Stand is clearly visible due to the arch feature to the elevation, sloped glazing and express entrance box. Signage also identifies the main entrance and other facilities.

All access routes have been designed to allow for ease of movement for wheelchair users and those with prams. General accommodation stairs have been designed for ambulant disabled users. All concourse kiosks and bars incorporate a DDA compliant drop-down counter. An induction loop is also provided within the reception for people with impaired hearing.

The North, East and South stands are accessed at grade level. Concourse and toilet facilities are positioned along the length of the concourse.

The intention was to create a truly democratic venue – one that every member of the community can enjoy.

History

In 2005, Salford City Council approved plans for the Reds to move from the Willows to the brownfield site at Barton. The stadium was originally to be developed by Red City Developments, with construction to be complete for the start of the 2009 season. However, RCD went into administration in July 2008. Salford City Council formed a joint venture company with Peel Group to develop and deliver the £16 million stadium, which is part of the a £26 million development close to the Manchester Ship Canal and the M60 motorway. Planning permission was granted in March 2010 for a 15,000-capacity stadium.

Sale Sharks confirmed their move to the stadium in April 2012, signing a 25-year lease. In 2013, Peel Group and Salford City Council each lent £600,000 in emergency funding to the stadium. The council is still owed £20 million for building the stadium, and is already owed £1.5m by the Salford City Reds who play at the stadium. In 2014, SCC and Peel lent a further £410,724 to the stadium. On 13 September 2013, it was announced that investment platform AJ Bell had secured a nine-year stadium naming rights partnership with Sale Sharks Rugby Club.