Stamford Bridge Stadium

Stamford Bridge has been the home of Chelsea Football Club ever since Gus Mears bought the ground in 1905 and decided to found a brand new football team to occupy it. The stadium itself was originally used as an athletics club and maintained that purpose. That was before two brothers, Gus and Joseph Mears, acquired the land and decided that they wanted to stage professional marches there.

The ground was originally offered to nearby Fulham Football Club by the Mears brothers, but they turned it down for financial reasons causing the brothers to start their own club as a direct rival to Fulham. That team was, of course, Chelsea and they haven’t left Stamford Bridge since.

General information

Arena capacity: 41,631 spectators

Address: Chelsea Football Club, Fulham Road, London, England, SW6 1HS

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51°28′54″N 0°11′28″W

Year of construction: 28 April 1877

Field: GrassMaster lawn with dimensions of 103 x 67 metres (112.6 x 73.2 yards)

Seating plan of the Stamford Bridge Stadium

Stamford Bridge is quite impressive looking, having had three new stands built since the mid-1990’s. The developers have taken advantage of the fact that the ‘old’ Stamford Bridge was oval shaped and have stretched the new stands right around the ground ‘filling in’ the corners so that the stadium is totally enclosed.

The latest addition to the stadium is the attractive looking West Stand, which was opened in 2001. Located on one side of the pitch, it is a superb three-tiered affair having a row of executive boxes running across its middle, the type of which you are able to sit outside. Its roof is virtually transparent, allowing more light to reach the pitch and gives it a unique look. Opposite is the older East Stand. Opened in 1973 this towering stand is also three-tiered and has the team dugouts situated at its front.

Both ends are smaller being two-tiered. One of these is the Matthew Harding Stand, named in memory of the man who did so much to transform the club. Opposite is the Shed End which has a Police Control Box suspended below its roof. There are two large video screens located in opposite corners of the stadium. Outside the ground, behind the West Stand is a statue of former playing legend, Peter Osgood.

Chelsea are one of only a few Clubs who have played at the same stadium since they were formed. Chelsea FC came into being in 1905 in a pub in Fulham Road just across from what is now Stamford Bridge. The Club have played at on the Stamford Bridge ever since. Interestingly the pub where the Club were formed still exists and is now called the Butcher’s Hook.

Away fans

Away fans are located on one side of the Shed End lower tier (towards the East Stand side), where the normal allocation for league games is 3,000 tickets. For cup games, the whole of the Shed End can be allocated. The view from this area of the ground is pretty good and the refreshment areas are modern looking. There are televisions on the concourses, showing amongst other things at half time, highlights from the first half.

There is a range of food and drink on offer, but like a number of London Premier League Clubs it is quite pricey; CheeseBurgers (£4.90), Hot Dogs (£4.50), Pasties (£4.50), Tandoori Chicken Wraps (£5) and Vegetarian Pasties (£5). Alcohol is also available in the form of Singha Beer (Pint £4.60), London Pride (500ml Bottle) £4.90, Red or White Wine (187ml miniature bottle).

On the whole, Stamford Bridge is a pleasurable day out. There is a good atmosphere within the ground and even though there isn’t a lot of space between the home and away fan sections, it doesn’t feel intimidating. The stewards are also pretty laid back.

If you’re seated in the Shed End you shouldn’t find a little difficult to go up and down the steps of the stand, due to the stand itself being quite steep and the steps between rows quite small. The only ‘real hassle’ is when trying to get through the lines of stewards situated outside the stadium at the entrance to the away section.

Where to buy tickets?

The cost of prices to see games at Stamford Bridge alters depending on where you want to sit, what the competition is and who Chelsea are playing. Many of the more in demand games will be sold via the club’s loyalty-point scheme. This is where the club gives members points depending on which matches they’ve attended.

Here we’ll give you the cheapest and most expensive prices for matches in the Premier League for adults and concessions. These prices are general sale, you can get cheaper tickets if you are a club ‘member’.

Like a number of Clubs, Chelsea operates a Category (AA, A & B) pricing policy for home league games, whereby the more popular games cost more to watch. Category AA game prices are shown below, with Category A & B prices in brackets:

Home Fans*

1. West Stand Upper Tier: £87 (A £75) (B £70).
2. West Stand Middle Tier: Season Tickets Only.
3. West Stand Lower Tier: Adults £69 (A £61) (B £56).
4. Shed End & Matthew Harding Stands Upper Tiers: Adults £64 (A £60) (B £55).
5. Shed End & Matthew Harding Stands Lower Tiers: Adults £61 (A £57) (B £52).
6. East Stand Upper Tier: Adults: £69 (A £61) (B £56), Senior Citizens/Under 16’s £27.50 (A & B £26).
7. East Stand Middle Tier: Season Tickets Only.
8. East Stand Lower Tier (Family Area): Adults: £50 (A £46) (B £41), Senior Citizens/Under 16’s £19.50 (A & B £18).

Away Fans

As per an agreement with all Premier League Clubs, away fans will be charged a maximum price of those shown below for all League games:

• Adults £30;
• Over 65’s £23.50;
• Under 20’s £23.50.

These prices are also for Premier League games, cup games may be priced differently (usually more cheaply) than those quoted above.

Category AA games are against Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Concessions are only made available in the East Stand and to away supporters.

A stadium plan of Stamford Bridge, showing the different sections, can be downloaded from the Chelsea FC website.

One of the best ways to buy tickets is through Chelsea’s club website. You can often also buy tickets, especially for Champion’s League games, via official third parties such as Thomas Cook Sport. There will usually be people selling tickets near the ground on match days, but often these are fake and it’s recommended avoiding them.

How to get there?

As it’s in one of London’s suburbs access to Stamford Bridge is exceptionally easy. Bus, rail and Underground are all solid options if you’re heading to Chelsea’s home ground.

If you’re coming from the South then cross the Wandsworth Bridge and head straight up the road, before turning right and then immediately left up to Fulham Broadway. On non-match days you can then turn right onto Fulham Road and continue to the stadium, but this road is closed on match days.

If coming from any other direction use the M25 at junction 14 then take the M4. That becomes the A4 so follow that until you see Earl’s Court and proceed south down Earls Court Road. Turn right on the Fulham Road, after which you should start to signs to the ground.

A number of local resident schemes are in operation around the stadium, so you may well end up having to park some way from the ground itself. What parking there is available in the local area is rather pricey too. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Stamford Bridge via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SW6 1HS

By train or London underground

The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway which is on the District Line. Take a tube to Earls Court and if necessary, change for a Wimbledon bound tube. The nearest over ground train station is West Brompton, which is served by trains from Clapham Junction (which is in turn served by trains from London Waterloo and Victoria stations). It is around a 15 minute walk to the ground from West Brompton station.

As you come out of the station turn right and proceed along Old Brompton Road. You will soon see the Brompton Cemetery immediately on your right and further along set back from the road is its impressive looking entrance. Turn right through the entrance into the cemetery (there are normally a number of other supporters doing the same) and as you walk on through the cemetery you will soon see the tops of the stands of Stamford Bridge.

If it is a night game then do not go into the cemetery, but take the next right after the cemetery into Finborough Road. After a half-mile, turn right onto the Fulham Road and the stadium is located down on the right.

For travelling across London by public transport it’s recommended planning your journey ahead with the use of the Travel For London Plan your journey website.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the Trainline website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets.

Bus

The number 14, 211 and 414 buses all stop outside Stamford Bridge.

Taxi

From Euston you’ll pay about £15 (minicab) to £25 (black cab) to get to the ground and it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour depending on traffic. Stamford Bridge will be easy to get to from anywhere in London, though expect to sit in traffic if you’re travelling at the wrong time of day. Traffic is understandably very heavy on match days once you get nearer the stadium and it may be quicker to get out and walk the final half mile.

Facilities

Despite its age, most parts of Stamford Bridge have been updated reasonably recently, especially in the Roman Abramovich era. As such it has most of the modern developments you’d expect from a Premier League club. From stalls selling food and drinks through to stands where you can place a bet should you wish to, behind the scenes in the stands is what you’d expect it to be without being particularly exceptional.

Hospitality

As one of the Premier League’s richest clubs, the hospitality options at Stamford Bridge are exactly as numerous and as classy as you’d expect. They’ve even got their own app! From a Sports Lounge through to a Private Suite, you won’t be disappointed with whatever level of hospitality you opt for.

• UTB Sports Lounge. You’ll get snacks and a drink on arrival, a three course buffet pre-match, complimentary bar as well as vouchers you can redeem in the West Stand’s concourse, a programme, Chelsea gift set, enjoy an appearance by a Chelsea legend and a padded seat in the Upper West Stand.
• Private Suite. A champagne and canapé reception awaits you here, with pre-match fine dining, half-time cakes and biscuits, full-time savoury foods, a hostess, a balcony on the west Stand, complimentary drinks and a past player appearance, this is an experience not to be missed.
• Matchdays at The Museum. Before you take your padded seat in The West Stand you’ll enjoy snacks, a mini behind-the-scenes tour, a pre-match two course meal, complimentary bar, drinks vouchers, a programme and Chelsea gift set as well as an appearance by a legend.
• Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Package. The club offers several packages that are ever increasing in what they offer you. Based around the notion of sitting near the half way line in The West Stand (apart from Platinum which is in The East Stand) you’ll get things like fine dining, half-time refreshments, complimentary drinks, a programme and a Chelsea gift set. Platinum offers you a tour of the tunnel and ptichiside accompanied by a former player.
• Health Club or Marco Grill. You can eat in either the Health Club or Marco’s Grill restaurant before the match, enjoy complimentary drinks before and after the match and get a Chelsea gift set. Marco’s Grill will see the drinks replaced with half a bottle of wine and water or coffee/tea.

Private hire

Much like with the club’s hospitality packages, the private hire options at Chelsea are numerous in their options and quality in their delivery. Stamford Bridge offers 24 function rooms are 60 syndicate rooms that can be adapted for business meetings, exhibitions, training days and more.

The club can cater for conferences, dinners and even parties. The latter can be enjoyed at the Chelsea’s exclusive ‘Under The Bridge’ venue, complete with a DJ and bowl food. If you’re feeling particularly keen you can also hire the venue for a Gala Dinner Banquet for up to 650 guests.

Stamford Bridge Hotels

Much like with transport, hotel options in Central London aren’t hard to come by. For that reason we’ve gone for some that are really close to the stadium, but don’t be afraid to branch out if you’re looking for something specific.

1. La Reserve Hotel – About £80. 422-428 Fulham Road, London, SW6 1DU. Located just 0.1 miles from the ground, La Reserve offers a restaurant and bar, self-parking and a business centre.
2. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club – Around £130. Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS. You can’t get much closer to the ground than a hotel that is part of the stadium itself! There’s a spa, 2 restaurants and childcare available.
3. The Chelsea Harbour Hotel – Around £300. Chelsea Harbour, London, SW10 0XG. Located 0.8 miles from Stamford Bridge, this is a real upmarket place with a marina and rooftop terrace. There is a full-service spa, health club and pool here.

Pubs & Bars Near Stamford Bridge

The pubs near the Stamford Bridge ground can be quite partisan, so it’s recommended getting a drink somewhere on the journey there. A number of away fans drink in the pubs around the Earl’s Court area, which is only a couple of tube stops away from Fulham Broadway station. The Courtfield Tavern, which is almost opposite the main entrance to Earls Court Tube Station, is a particular favourite with away supporters.

Away fans are allowed into the Goose pub on North End Road, which is located about a mile away from Stamford Bridge. The beer is reasonably priced by London standards and it shows Sky Sports. Alcohol is available inside the stadium (£4.60 a pint), however for certain fixtures, the Club opt not to sell any to away supporters, so don’t bank on it!

History

Stamford Bridge has held England International matches, FA Cup Finals and Charity Shield games just in the world of football. They’ve also hosted cricket and rugby union matches, greyhound racing and even American Football matches. At one time the ground had a maximum capacity of 100,000 making it the second largest stadium in the country behind Crystal Palace.

Nowadays it is the eighth largest Premier League ground and has a capacity of 41,798. To give the London club their due the ground has often been used as an experimental location for things. The above mentioned American Football match took place their despite the pitch not being long enough for a regulation size gridiron pitch, whilst the first notable day-night cricket match took place at Stamford Bridge before the idea of playing cricket games at football grounds was realized to be folly.