Kingsholm Stadium (Gloucester)

Renowned for its stirring atmosphere, Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester, is one of the most famous grounds in English club rugby. Indeed, while it is the smallest venue selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it is likely to prove one of the most popular because of the noise generated by ‘The Shed’, the stadium’s notoriously raucous North Stand.

General information

Official website: https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/

Arena capacity: 16,115 spectators

Address: Kingsholm Rd, Gloucester GL1 3AX, United Kingdom

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51°52′18″N 2°14′34″W

Year of construction: 1891

Field: artificial lawn

Seating plan of Kingsholm Stadium

The most famous part of Kingsholm is known as ‘The Shed’, a (usually) covered terrace running the length of the pitch that fills up well in advance of kick-off on big match days.

Sitting opposite the Shed is the modern South Stand, a large all-seater grandstand. Behind one set of posts is another stand of covered seating known as the JS Stand, whilst behind the others is the West Terrace providing uncovered standing space and hospitality facilities.

Two large screens are situated in the corners of the stadium.

How to get there?

Please take a few minutes to read the information posted below to make your visit to Kingsholm as pleasant and easy as possible and to ensure that local residents are inconvenienced as little as possible on match days.

By Car

From the North or South your best bet is to exit the M5 at Junction 11 and follow the A40 in the direction of Gloucester. At Elmbridge Roundabout, take the A40 West (towards Ross on Wye), before taking the A38 South (towards Gloucester) which will take you directly to the ground.

By Bus

Many bus routes are available into the main bus station in Gloucester, which is only a 5-minute walk to the stadium.

Key routes and service numbers are laid out below.

• 30/31 – Christ Church – Coleford – Brierley – Cinderford – Gloucester;
• 91 – Dursley – Gloucester;
• 14 – Stroud – The Stanleys – Stonehouse – Kingsway – Gloucester;
• 94 – Cheltenham – Churchdown – Gloucester;
• 73 – Chepstow – Lydney – Gloucester;
• 32 – Ross on Wye – Newent – Gloucester;
• 71 – Tewkesbury – Gloucester;
• 853 – Oxford – Cheltenham – Gloucester;
• 852 – Cirencester – Gloucester.

By Rail

There is an excellent service from Gloucester with regular trains to all parts of the country. The station is less than a 10-minute walk from Gloucester Rugby. Come out of the station, turn right and follow the road towards Kingsholm from where signposts will lead you to the ground.

To see up to date timetables and ticket information, please visit Network Rail or Trainline.

Parking

EDF Energy at Barnwood: The EDF Energy overflow car park offices are located on the eastern side of Gloucester, about two-and-a-half miles from the city centre, just off the A417 bypass.

The Kingsholm Stadium Park and Ride, coaches supplied by SWANBROOKS and the car park kindly supplied by EDF Energy, runs every 15 minutes from Barnwood to Kingsholm Road 2 hours before kick-off.

Parking is free and the bus return journey commences as soon as possible after the game depending on Kingsholm Road road closures, and runs from Skinner Street every 15 minutes for a period of 90 minutes after the final whistle for afternoon kick offs and one hour after the final whistle for Friday evening kick offs.

Pre-match | the service will drop off supporters at the bus stop in Worcester Street at the end of Skinner St (northbound before the ground).

Post-match | the service will depart from the bus stop on the opposite side of Worcester Street just past Alvin Street (southbound before railway bridge) – commencing 10 minutes after the final whistle.

Disabled supporters should use the EDF Energy Park & Ride service but need to contact Helen Grayer in advance at [email protected]

A drop off/ pick up point is located at the front of the main car park for disabled supporters only.

Where to eat and sleep?

Exact food offerings are publicized 48 hours before kick-off, but Kingsholm’s range of food options includes the following:

• West Cornwall Pasty Company (located near Gate 1);
• Burger Box (Gates 1 and 2);
• Freshly Ground Coffee (Gate 2);
• Signature Bar (Fan Zone).

There are also match day bars, located near all 3 gates.

On match days, spectators should keep an eye out for the Golden Tickets scattered around the stadium – if you find one, head over to a concessions stand and help yourself to a complimentary meal and drink!

The Longford Premier Inn to the North of the ground has a Beefeater restaurant that has received good reviews from rugby fans. There are good reviews about the sausage stand outside the ground on Kingsholm Road too!

For visitors to the Shed, visit the Lion’s Den Bar at the East End of the terrace.

Before/After the Game

There are lots of bars in the area around Kingsholm – the Kingsholm Inn is right across the road from the ground and is a popular place for supporters to gather in advance of the game, as are Teagues, the Cider Tree at the Coach and Horses and the Deans Walk.

Local club Spartans RFC is only 400m from Kingsholm and have in the past accommodated groups of supporters (including a coach space if you’re coming by the busload) with food and drink laid on.

The City Centre is only a mile from the ground and has a wide range of places to drink. For those looking for a sports bar, try the Abbey on Northgate Street.

Want to be steps away from your upcoming event? Explore the variety of hotels closest to Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.

1. For real ale, try The Pelican Inn on St Mary’s Street.
2. The Edward Hotel is situated on the London Road, less than a mile from Kingsholm and close to the train station.
3. The Gloucester (Longford) Premier Inn is also within an easy walk to the ground, to the North of the City close to the A40.
4. In the city centre and near to the train station is the New County Hotel.
5. The New Inn Hotel on Northgate Street is a cosy 3-star option in the City Centre.
6. No prizes for guessing where the budget Station Hotel is sited!
7. Guesthouses within walking distance include the Mulberry House, with plenty more available online.
8. The Travelodge have also set up shop in Gloucester.

Facilities

At Kinsgholm Stadium, there is a wide range of premium matchday hospitality packages on both a VIP seasonal basis or on a match-by-match basis for the upcoming season.

Kingsholm’s 36 executive boxes are the height of matchday exclusivity and offer the perfect environment for both business and pleasure.

Alternatively, if you are looking to soak up the atmosphere of the restaurants, then the Captain’s Club and Legend’s Lounge facilities offer fantastic dining and great match-day entertainment.

Aside from the dining packages the 1873 Club is a members only debenture scheme that gives you access to the best seats in the house and the use of two private lounges.

Accessibility

All of Kingsholm’s entrances are equipped with wheelchair-accessible gates.

There are multiple disabled toilet facilities at the stadium, including at the east end of the Malvern Tyres Stand, which can be accessed via lift; these can be used by fans in either that stand or the Stowford Press Stand.

Assistance dogs are allowed at the ground, but let the ticket office or reception know in advance, e.g. at time of booking, if possible.

Stewards are dotted around Kingsholm on match days, and are happy to assist disabled fans.

History

A proposal by the then Gloucester Football Club to acquire the grounds where Kingsholm Stadium is built was first put together in July 1891. The purchase was made and the first match took place in October 1891. A pavilion was built in 1892, initially with seating capacity for 424 spectators. A wooden stand was added in 1923. In September 1933, a fire destroyed this stand; a larger replacement was completed before the end of the year in its place. The original pavilion was demolished in 1934 and, in its place, was built the stand that is today known as The Shed.