Swansea.com Stadium (Swansea)

The Swansea.com Stadium is an all-seated sports stadium and conferencing venue located in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. It is the home stadium of EFL Championship club Swansea City, who took full operational control of the stadium in 2018, and the Ospreys rugby team.

General information

Arena capacity: 21,088 spectators

Address: Plasmarl, Swansea SA1 2FA, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51.6427° N, 3.9346° W

Year of construction: 2005

Field: Desso GrassMaster lawn with dimensions of 105 x 68 m

Seating plan of Swansea.com Stadium

Westacres South Stand

The Westacres South Stand is split into two tiers that you can easily get between. The space between the two tiers additionally contains flat platforms for disabled supporters to use.

The lower tier is smaller than the upper tier and consists of black seating with the letters SWANS spelt out in white across the central blocks.

The upper tier consists of black and white seating that forms a wave-like pattern, with the bottom part coloured black and the upper part coloured white.

Both the stadium’s southwest and southeast corners continue this wave-like pattern, but do not have a lower tier, instead containing an opening for ambulance access.

You can find a small electronic scoreboard hanging from the Westacres South Stand’s roof which is best visible to those at the opposite end of the Swansea.com Stadium.

Your view of the pitch from anywhere inside the Westacres South Stand and its adjacent corners is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the cantilever roof, and the stadium’s enclosed design means that every row is fully protected from the sides and behind as well.

If you are right up at the back however, the large scoreboard hanging down in the southeast corner is going to affect your view of the opposite North Stand, as well as the opposite electronic screen.

Swansea University Stand

The Swansea University Stand is slightly taller than the rest of the Swansea.com Stadium and split into two tiers that you can easily get between. The space between the two tiers additionally contains flat platforms for disabled supporters to use.

Every seat in the smaller lower tier is coloured black, whilst most of the blocks in the upper tier continue the black and white wave pattern that is present in other parts of the stadium. The exception here comes with the central blocks which are coloured almost exclusively black and dedicated to executives. These executive seating blocks are present in the middle of the lower tier as well.

At the very back of the Swansea University Stand, behind the gantry holding the matchday camera, is a row of executive boxes, whilst right down at the front are the stadium’s dugouts and tunnel, with the changing rooms based inside.

Flat platforms for disabled supporters are located at the front of most of the lower tiers seating blocks.

The Swansea.com Stadium’s Control Box is located up at the back of the stand, next to the southwest corner, and at the opposite end of the stand next to the northwest corner is the Swansea.com Stadium’s TV Studio.

Your view from anywhere inside the Swansea University Stand is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the cantilever roof, and the stadium’s enclosed design means that every row is fully protected from the sides and behind as well.

Westacres North Stand

The Westacres North Stand is almost an exact carbon-copy of the Westacres South Stand opposite.

It is split into two tiers that you can easily get between. The space between the two tiers additionally contains flat platforms for disabled supporters to use.

The lower tier consists of mostly black seating, but in contrast to the Westacres South Stand has the letters OSPREYS spelt out in white across the central blocks.

The upper tier makes use of a black and white wave-like pattern, with the bottom part coloured black and the upper part coloured white.

Like at the opposite side of the stadium, both the northwest and northeast corners only have an upper tier of seating, with an opening for ambulance access located underneath.

There is also an electronic scoreboard hanging from the roof which can be best seen by those at the opposite end of the Swansea.com Stadium.

Your view from anywhere inside the Westacres North Stand is perfectly clear because of the cantilever roof above, and the stadium’s enclosed design means that every row is fully protected from the sides and behind as well.

If you are right up at the back however, the large scoreboard hanging down in the northwest corner is going to affect your view of the opposite South Stand, as well as the opposite electronic screen.

Trade Centre Wales Stand

The Trade Centre Wales Stand is the same height as the adjacent Westacres North and Westacres South Stands, split into two tiers that you can easily get between. The space between the two tiers additionally contains flat platforms for disabled supporters to use.

The seating blocks in this stand do not continue the wave-like pattern however, instead being coloured almost entirely black. The letters SWANSEA are spelt out in white across the larger upper tier, and the letters ABERTAWE (Swansea in Welsh) are spelt out in white across the smaller lower tier. Most of the lower tier seating blocks additionally have a flat platform at the front for disabled supporters to use.

The central block in the upper tier has seating missing up towards the back, as it is up there that a secondary matchday camera is sometimes put in place.

Your view from anywhere inside the Trade Centre Wales Stand is perfectly clear because of the cantilever roof above, and the stadium’s enclosed design means that every row is fully protected from the sides and behind as well.

Away Fans

Away fans are located behind the goal in the Westacres North Stand.

Smaller crowds will typically be allocated across the lower tier, and larger crowds will take up more of the upper tier and the whole of the stand’s lower tier, with stewards and fenced off stairways used to segregate this away following from any home fans nearby. Flat platforms for disabled supporters to use are also available in the space between the stand’s upper and lower tier.

The stand offers a perfectly clear view of the pitch and is very well protected by the stadium’s enclosed shape.

Outside, the turnstiles are in a fenced off area which only away supporters are allowed to enter.

Accessibility both inside and out of this away section is excellent and the experience on offer inside is very good as well.

Where to buy tickets?

Pricing at the Swansea.com Stadium is reasonably simple, with games broken down into two categories and two prices within those categories. Matches against Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool are Category A, whilst everything else is Category B, though the club reserves the right to change their mind about that whenever they want. There are then adult prices and concession prices, with concessions being given to people over 60, under 16 or full-time students.

The first stop for tickets to see the Swans play is the official website, where you’ll find details of which tickets are still available and what fees you’ll incur for buying them. You can also call the box office directly or else from the physical box office at the ground. There may be people knocking about the ground offering tickets on the day of the match but you should be careful going down this route as they may not be legitimate.

How to get there?

Swansea is one of the main cities in Wales so access is reasonably easy but, if you’re coming from the North or well in the South then don’t expect a quick journey.

By car

Leave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the A4067 towards the City Centre (signposted A4067 South). Stay on the A4067 for around two and a half miles and you will reach the stadium on your left. Car parking at the stadium is for permit holders only and most of the immediate residential areas around the stadium now have ‘residents only’ parking schemes in place.

However away minibuses and coaches can park behind the North Stand in a fenced compound, at a cost of £20 per coach and £10 per minibus. Don’t be tempted to park on the nearby Morfa Retail Park as it has a time limit for parking of 90 minutes, so you may well end up with a parking fine if you then stay for the duration of the match. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Swansea.com Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Away Fans Park & Ride Facility

Away supporters are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility located at the Felindre old steelworks, which is signposted off Junction 46, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £6 per car. Away supporters have their own separate buses to and from the stadium, with the buses waiting outside the away stand at the end of the game to take supporters back to the car park.

The park and ride is located in the middle of nowhere, but curiously has a high fence. Apparently, the facility is also used as a park and ride for the DVLA so the fencing may be for the benefit of their staff. There are toilets on the site although they do look rather ancient. All the staff are friendly and the buses frequent. After the game ends, the park and ride buses leave the compound with the away coaches for fairly obvious reasons.

There is also some street parking to be had. If coming from the M4, you pass the stadium on your left and continue straight on towards Swansea, then after going under a bridge, then there are a number of roads on the right, where on street parking is available. It is then around a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium.

However, please note that after the game has ended the Police close the A4067 road running past the stadium, meaning that you can’t go back up to the M4 that way. You need to instead go back up to the stadium and where the road is closed turn right at the roundabout onto the A4217. At the next roundabout turn left continuing away from Swansea City Centre. At the junction with the A48 turn right and this takes you up to Junction 44 of the M4.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SA1 2FA

By train

Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the Swansea.com Stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £7) are available from the train station to the stadium.

Otherwise, if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right. Thanks to Tom Evans for providing the directions.

After the match has ended the Club provides a bus service to take away fans back to Swansea Railway Station. Shown with the destination ‘Town Centre’ it costs £1.50 per person.

By bus

Buses 4, 120, 125 and the X20 all take you from the centre of Swansea to outside the ground. It takes around 6 minutes and you should keep your eyes peeled for Landore or Swansea.com Stadium stops.

By taxi

If you want to get a taxi from the train station to the ground then it will probably set you back a little under £5.

Where to eat and sleep?

The Swansea.com Stadium is a lot more friendly than the old Vetch Field. Stoke fans are drinking in The Harvester and Frankie & Benny’s just outside the ground and a couple of the pubs just up from the stadium. Just a few minutes walk away from the stadium on Llangyfeleach Road, is the Plough and Harrow, which admits visiting fans.

There is a good mixture of both home and away supporters. Within ten minutes walk of the stadium is a newly opened microbrewery called Boss Brewing which serves great beers and burgers. You can also park there for free if available.

Otherwise, it is a choice of a drink on the way to Swansea, go into the city centre or drink inside the stadium. There are a number of pubs on Wind (pronounced as winding a watch) Street in the centre of town, such as Yates, the Bank Statement and the No Sign Bar (the latter being listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide). Ask for Castle Gardens, and you’ll see Wind Street. The Ivorites Arms on Dinas Street is also recommended.

Alcohol in the form of Carling lager and Worthington bitter are served within the stadium. The Club opens the turnstiles 90 minutes before kickoff so that fans have the option to eat & drink within the stadium itself.

Because the stadium itself isn’t centrally located you’ll probably be looking at hotels in the centre of the city that you can travel out to the ground from. Here are some selection you can consider.

1. The Grand Hotel Swansea. Close to the beach and the Dylan Thomas Centre, The Grand Hotel has a restaurant and bar a conference space and free newspapers in the lobby. It’s about 1.2 miles from the ground and has free Wi-Fi.
2. Swansea Marriott Hotel. How does a four-star hotel with a swimming pool sound for your stay in Swansea? The Marriott has a grill-style restaurant, six meeting rooms and a fitness centre. There’s free Wi-Fi here, too, and it’s about 2 miles from the ground.
3. Village Hotel Swansea. Another hotel with a swimming pool that is located close to the beach, The Village has a health club, terrace and a restaurant too. It’s about 1.7 miles from the stadium.

Facilities

The facilities at The Liberty are excellent. From large, wide concourses with places to get a bite to eat or a quick drink through to top-draw betting kiosks where you can get a bet on your team, everything at the stadium is designed around the experience of the match going fan.

Hospitality

As a stadium that is less than 15 years old you can bet your bottom dollar that the hospitality suites at The Liberty will be top-class. Perhaps you’d like to hire The CU29 Suite exclusively for you and 13 friends? If so, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the pitch, flat screen TVs, heated executive seats and a champagne reception as well as bespoke pre-match dining and a complimentary bar.

If an exclusive box isn’t to your liking then maybe you’d prefer to spend some time in The Morfa Lounge. There you’ll get a pre-match buffet, half and full-time refreshments, a pay-bar facility.

There’s also The Gower Suite Package that will see you enjoy a pre-match buffet, a player meet and greet, a post-match quiz and beverage waiting service. If you’d still like to go a bit upmarket then The Boardroom might be for you. You’ll get maitre d’ service, fine dining and a champagne reception as well as a complimentary bar in the VIP area of the ground.

Private hire

Much like with the hospitality options, the relative freshness of the Swansea.com Stadium means that its conferencing facilities are excellent. Perhaps you’d like to use the number of executive boxes at the ground for small conferences or breakout meetings? Maybe you’d like to hold a huge party in one of the club’s lounges? Or perhaps you’re the world’s biggest Swans fan and you want nothing more than to get married in your club’s ground. Whatever you want you can be sure that the club will be able to deal with your every request and desire.

Accessibility

Swansea City is committed to easing the supporter journey for a safe and enjoyable matchday experience with easy access to services. To assist disabled supporters, there is a wealth of information available – from how to purchase tickets, plan your routes and a quick-reference guide on the need-to-know policies.

Concessionary Ticket Policy

Swansea City AFC offers a complimentary personal assistant ticket for supporters who require one and meet the club’s criteria of eligibility. The first time that wheelchair or ambulant tickets are purchased, one of the following documents is required to be provided to the Ticket Office to prove your eligibility in accordance with the club’s criteria:

• DLA (Higher rate care component and Higher rate mobility component)
• PIP (Enhanced rate)
• Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)

For supporters with more profound and complex disabilities, additional carer tickets are available upon request at the time of purchase.

Away Ticket Policy

For away matches, supporters with ambulant and wheelchair accessibility requirements are asked to apply within the ballot, which operates online. Should supporters receive a message claiming they are ineligible, they are advised to contact the Ticket Office to ensure their account has the correct permissions.

The decision to operate a ballot system for Away tickets is largely due to the variation in allocations Swansea City receive from away clubs. The number of wheelchair spaces available is significantly less than the allocation for non- wheelchair users. Following consultation with the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA), a ballot system provides a fairer opportunity for wheelchair users to attend Away matches, who have previously been unable.

The Ballot system:

• Provides a 24/7 box office and opportunity to apply
• Is more secure – as Card details are entered online rather than over the phone.
• To purchase tickets online.
• You must be logged in to the account with which the permissions are set.
• You click on the ‘Tickets’ tab next to the match which you wish to attend.
• On the right-hand side, you should see a ‘Disabled Ticket’ tab which you select.
• You will then be offered the chance to select your appropriate age category.
• You can then proceed to check out, selecting the option to print at home where available, should you choose.

SWANSEA CITY DSA

Swansea City AFC is extremely proud of its ongoing partnership with the Disabled Supporters Association (DSA).

Membership Includes:

• Entry to DSA Social evenings and events for you +1 (FREE Carer)
• 1 vote at the DSA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Opportunity to tackle issues as a disabled supporter to help improve services for others.
• Information and support from fellow disabled supporters.

Please note membership runs from September 1 to August 31 each year.

If you are interested in joining Swansea City AFC’s Disabled Supporters Association (SCAFCDSA) or if you wish to renew your current membership, visit the website here: http://www.swansdsa.org.uk/join/. Alternatively, contact the DSA on: [email protected]

Quick Reference Guidance

Match Makers (wearing Red ‘Here to Help’ bibs) and stewards will be able to direct supporters. Should any supporter wish to use the facility during the game, they will need to approach the nearest Disability Liaison Officer stewards (DLOs) in green jackets.

Assistance dogs

Swansea City AFC welcomes all recognised assistance animals, such as: Guide Dogs for the Blind, Disabled Support Dogs and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Supporters are kindly asked to notify staff at the time of purchasing tickets so an appropriate seat can be assigned which will provide the necessary space. Additionally, a designated relief area can also be arranged nearby.

Wheelchair Storage

Swansea City AFC are happy to store your wheelchair during a matchday. Whilst advance notice is preferred, requests can be accommodated on the day by notifying a steward or disability liaison steward.

Two stands benefit from powerchair charging points, which can be made available for supporters to use by notifying a steward or disability liaison steward.

Medication

Medication is permitted as long as it does not pose a safety risk and it is labelled correctly. All stewards are trained in dealing with emergency situations, so if you begin to feel unwell, notify the nearest steward who will take the appropriate action.

Snacks or drinks required by diabetic supporters on genuine medical grounds will be permitted into the stadium subject to the relevant medical evidence being produced*.

*Evidence may include:

• A medical letter from a GP or diabetes nurse
• Equipment to treat diabetes and/or hypoglycaemic attacks, such as insulin injections or glucose meter
• A diabetes ID card

Any questions or queries regarding specific medication should be made in advance of match days by contacting one of the relevant people below with details of medication and support you may require.

Audio Commentary Headsets

For blind or partially sighted supporters, there is a complimentary headset for matchday commentary, which uses the local hospital radio commentary feed. These headsets can be booked in advance by contacting the Ticket Office, emailing [email protected] or requested through stewards on the day.

Hearing Loops

Permanent Hearing loop facilities are available at the main supporter service points at the stadium including;

• Main Reception
• Hospitality and Customer Service Reception
• The Club Shop

Should supporters require a hearing loop facility elsewhere a portable hearing loop system is available upon request.

It’s encouraged to contact the staff in advance of the match day to avoid any disappointment.

ASD Supporters

Swansea City AFC is committed to promoting and improving matchday facilities for disabled supporters. For ASD supporters, matchdays can be a daunting experience with numerous sensory challenges. However, prior information can be extremely effective in alleviating these concerns and ensuring that supporters and their families are able to fully enjoy their match day experience.

To this end, the following have been introduced:

‘Going to the Football’ Picture Story Guide- A visual tool to assist PA/Carers explain what to expect from a matchday.

ASD Parents or Carers Guide- With practical and helpful advice on; sensory triggers, peak times facilities etc.

Ear Defenders- Available on matchdays via disability liaison stewards or booked in advance by e-mailing [email protected]. In all cases, a cash deposit is required which is refundable on safe return of the equipment.

Exterior

If you are approaching the Swansea.com Stadium from Swansea Station, you will first reach the ground’s South Stand. It is known for sponsorship reasons as the Westacres South Stand.

The exterior here consists of a sandy-coloured brickwork base, white corrugated iron higher up and a white cantilever roof coming down from the top. It is also possible to see the underside of part of the stand’s seating area from outside.

There is a Ticket Office based right in the stadium’s southwest corner, with a box holding matchday programmes based a little away from here to the west.

Turnstiles for the Westacres South Stand (11-18) are based along the brickwork base.

You can also find a small car park in place out beyond the South Stand’s exterior.

A short distance outside the southwest corner is a statue of Ivor Allchurch.

Born in Swansea on 16th October 1929, Allchurch was an inside-forward who played for his hometown club (who were then known as Swansea Town) across two spells between 1947 and 1968. He made over 500 appearances for the club in total, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions. Allchurch also earned 68 caps for Wales, scoring 23 times, and was part of the squad that took part in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.

He passed away on 10th July 1997 at the age of 67.

The Ivor Allchurch Statue is at the start of Swansea City’s Memorial Garden.

Continuing round in a clockwise direction brings you to the West Stand, know for sponsorship reasons as the Swansea University Stand and the largest of the four at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The exterior here protrudes out much further than anywhere else in the stadium, consisting of a sandy-coloured brickwork base with large white and silver panels and glass windows higher up. The Swansea City badge, Ospreys badge, Swansea.com Stadium logo, Swansea University crest, and City and County of Swansea logos are also on display across the panelled exterior.

At one end of the Swansea University Stand, next to the stadium’s southwest corner, is Swansea City’s and Ospreys’ Club Shop, located under a triangular-shaped roof. Further along the exterior is the entrance to the Swans Hospitality and Supporter Services, whilst the Main Reception Entrance is located in the middle.

There is a Laser and Beauty Clinic based over towards the stadium’s northwest corner, whilst turnstiles leading into the Swansea University Stand (1-10) can be found along the brickwork base. Turnstiles 1-5 are at the northern end of the exterior and Turnstiles 6-10 are at the southern end.

Out beyond the Swansea University Stand’s exterior is one of the stadium’s Main Car Parks which is triangular in shape due to the A4067 being right next to it.

The exterior of the North Stand is the same as the Westacres South Stand opposite. It is known for sponsorship reasons as the Westacres North Stand.

It consists of a sandy-coloured brickwork base with white corrugated iron higher up and a white cantilever roof coming down from the top. It is also possible to see the underside of part of the stand’s seating area from outside.

Turnstiles for the Westacres North Stand are spread across the brickwork base, though it is worth noting that large sections of this stand’s exterior are fenced off. The Westacres North Stand holds the turnstiles for away supporters (32-38) and fences are in place to help with the segregation of home and away fans before they enter the stadium. There is no real need to come round to this side of the stadium unless you have a seat within this stand.

Out beyond the Westacres North Stand’s exterior is the other Main Car Park for the Swansea.com Stadium, as well as the Main Coach Park.

The East Stand shares the same exterior design as the adjacent North and South Stands, the main difference being that it is longer as this stand runs along the length of the pitch rather than its width. It is known for sponsorship reasons as the Trade Centre Wales Stand.

The exterior consists of a sandy-coloured brickwork base with white corrugated iron higher up and the white cantilever roof coming down from the top. It is also possible to see the underside of part of the stand’s seating area from outside.

Turnstiles into the Trade Centre Wales Stand (19-30) are spread across the brickwork base and are easy to access. Turnstiles 25-30 are at the northern end of the exterior and Turnstiles 19-24 are at the southern end of the exterior.

The River Tawe runs along past the Trade Centre Wales Stand and you can get closer to it via a lower down path.

History

When Vetch Field was declared unfit for play due to the fact that it wasn’t up-to-date, Swansea City needed a new place to host their home games. It just so happened that something not dissimilar happened to the Osprey rugby team and, with neither club having the necessary capital to invest, Swansea City Council stepped in. The new ground was built on the location of Morfa Stadium, an athletics ground that that was already owned by the council. In the end the development cost in excess of £50 million but it’s suspected that it has more than paid for itself now, with Swansea’s home matches routinely selling out. At the start of the 2014-2015 season they updated the ground by adding big screens, advertising boards and new televisions in the concourses.