Vicarage Road Stadium

Watford have been at Vicarage Road after they left their previous ground, Cassio Road, to head to a new home. The club has also had a long-standing relationship with a giant amongst giants of the music industry, Sir Elton John. The lifelong supporter of the club became its chairman and has maintained an active role in club affairs ever since. He even has one of the stands named after him in recognition of his work on behalf of the club.

The club gained promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2014-2015 season after finishing second to Bournemouth, missing out on top spot by just a point. It was the first time Watford played in the top flight since Aidy Boothroyd managed them there. Vicarage Road, which was originally owned by Benskins Breweries and has hosted greyhound racing and horse shows in the past, welcomed Premier League fans back for the first time in 8 years for the 2015-2016 season.

General information

Arena capacity: 21,577 spectators

Address: Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 51°38′59.41″N 0°24′5.35″W

Year of construction: Vicarage Road Stadium was built in 1922, the official opening was in 30 August 1922

Field: Desso GrassMaster with dimensions of 120 x 80 yards (110 x 73 meters)

Seating plan of the Vicarage Road Stadium

Vicarage Road Stadium has been improved recently, not only with the opening of the Sir Elton John Stand on the East side of the stadium but also with a number of cosmetic changes both inside and out. This has included new video screens, hospitality areas, and general improvements to the stadium corners, but also some smart external cladding, plus a new Reception and Club Shop. These have all been done very well and to a high standard making Vicarage Road not only a smart looking and tidy looking ground, but one that has some individual character too.

Sir Elton John Stand as it has been named, opened in December 2014 and was further expanded six months later, by the addition of more rows of seating to the front of it. Although quite simple looking, this covered single tiered stand has a capacity of 3,800 seats and its construction has greatly improved the overall look of the stadium. In a further tribute to Sir Elton John, some lyrics from one of his hit records; ‘Your Song’ are embossed in large letters across the back supporting wall.

Opposite to the new Sir Elton John Stand, is the Graham Taylor Stand, which is named after their former manager, who took the Club up from the old Fourth Division to Division One in just five years and firmly put the club on the map. This stand which was opened in 1986, is a two-tiered stand that has an interesting roof design, with a number of semi-circular arches. Light is also able to penetrate through the roof aiding pitch growth. It also has a row of executive boxes running across the back.

The ground has had both ends re-developed during the 1990’s along with the front of the Graham Taylor Stand. Both ends are similar looking large single tiered stands, with some strange looking floodlights perched on the roofs. Away fans are housed in one of these ends in the Vicarage Road Stand. Whilst opposite the Rookery Stand is larger, housing some 6,950 supporters. There are two large video screens situated in opposite corners of the ground.

The teams come out to the old theme tune of the old Police series Z-Cars. This started in the 1963-64 season when Z Cars were at its height on television. It was a favourite programme of the then Manager Bill McGarry and he asked that it be played at Vicarage Road. That season turned out to be a successful one of the Hornets and it has been continued to be played at the ground. Outside the stadium in front of the club shop is a statue of former manager Graham Taylor, which was unveiled in August 2018.

Away fans

Away fans are housed on the Eastern side of the Vicarage Road Stand at one end of the ground. This stand is shared with home supporters (with the obligatory ‘no-mans land’ comprised of empty seats covered in netting in-between). Around 2,200 visiting fans can be accommodated in this area. The stand has electronic turnstiles, meaning that you have to place your ticket into a bar code reader to gain entrance. You should also then expect to be searched by the stewards on the way in.

The club is friendly and the stewarding is relaxed, although at times there can be a heavy police presence around the ground and in the town centre. The only real gripe is that the size of the concourse at the back of the stand is one of the tightest and is wholly inadequate when there is a large away following.

If you manage to get to the serving hatch, then you will find on offer the usual fayre, although a pie will set you back £4.20. There is plenty of leg room in the way end and a good atmosphere. However, the concourses are very small meaning that they easily get crowded. There is also a betting outlet available.

Where to buy tickets?

Where most clubs in the Premier League operate a categorisation system that sees them charge more for tickets depending on the supposed quality of the opposition in any given match, Watford have instead opted for a set pricing structure for all games in the top-flight.

They are keen, however, to reward those fans who have supported them during the tough times as well as the good, so they employ a tiered system that dictates who is allowed to buy tickets for the more popular matches. Only those with a certain number of games on their fan card will be able to buy tickets for a match against the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, for example.

Here we’ll show you the cheapest and most expensive tickets for games depending on whether you’re an adult, a concession, a young adult or a fan under the age of 16. The prices do differ depending on which ground you’re in, so do bear that in mind.

The club did say that “This will be the constant pricing throughout the season depending on whether the club has managed to compromise with the opposition team and get a reciprocal deal which means pricing will be lower than the above”. So if tickets are pricier you’ll know that the other club isn’t playing ball with fair ticket prices!

Home fans

1. Graham Taylor Stand (Upper tier): Adults £42, Over 65’s £28, Under 20’s & Students £24, Under 16’s £20.
2. Graham Taylor Stand (Lower tier): Adults £36, Over 65’s £22, Under 20’s & Students £18, Under 16’s £14.
3. Sir Elton John Stand: Adults £40, Over 65’s £26, Under 20’s & Students £22, Under 16’s £18.
4. Rookery Stand: Adults £36, Over 65’s £22, Under 20’s & Students £18, Under 16’s £14.
5. Vicarage Road Stand: Adults £36, Over 65’s £22, Under 20’s & Students £18, Under 16’s £14.
6. Family Area: Adults £36, Over 65’s £22, Under 20’s & Students £18, Under 16’s £10.

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.

Vicarage Road Stand:

• Adults £30;
• Over 65’s £22;
• Under 20’s & Students* £18;
• Under 16’s £10.

In addition the Club offer a small discount on some seats in the away section where there is restricted leg room:

• Adults £27;
• Over 65’s £19;
• Under 20’s & Students* £15;
• Under 16’s £7.

*Students must be in full time education and have a valid student card (including an expiration date) to be presented at the turnstiles.

With one of the smaller capacities in the Premier League, it can be tricky to get tickets for Watford games. The first place to start will be the club’s official website; this has all of the details you could possibly need including prices and which stands have how much space. There is also a physical ticket office at the ground and a box office number that you can call. If you see people selling tickets near the stadium it’s recommended avoiding them as they may be fake tickets.

How to get there?

From The North

Leave the M1 at Junction 5 and take the A4008 into Watford. If on nearing the town centre you can’t see the ground over on your left, just go left around the inner ring road (follow signs for Watford General Hospital as this is located behind the ground) and you will soon spot it.

From The South & West

Leave the M25 at Junction 19 and take the A411 towards Watford (be wary of speed cameras along this road). On nearing the town centre you will reach two roundabouts in quick succession. Go straight across the first but at the second turn right onto the A412 towards Rickmansworth. Then take the second left into Merton Road (signposted Hospital). When the road forks then keep to the right and then at the traffic lights where the road forks again turn left into Vicarage Road (still heading towards the Hospital). The ground is down on the left.

Car Parking

There are also some private match day car parks available at some industrial units near the ground, as well as the Watford Grammar School for Girls (WD18 0AE), which is close to the stadium and charges £10 per car and £15 per minibus. Around a five minute walk away is Chater Junior School on Addiscombe Road WD18 0ND) which also offers parking at £10 per car. This car park opens 1 hour 45 minutes before kick-off and closes 45 minutes after the end of the match.

As Vicarage Road is situated near Watford town centre, then visiting fans can use a number of town centre car parks which are within reasonable walking distance. You can park in the Church multi-storey car park (which costs £1 per hour and is located on the inner ring road). You can park in the Church Car Park which is a pay on exit.

Although it is an easy 15 minute walk from the ground, there are long queues to use the pay machines after the game. All in all, it took us about 45 minutes to get out and back onto the road. There are some additional pay machines located outside the car park, by the High Street exit.

There is also parking in the intu shopping centre multi-storey, which cost £4 for four hours. It is approximately a 15 minute walk to the ground and is easy to get out after the game and back onto the M1.

Parking in the Gade multi-storey car park on Rosslyn Road (WD17 1NA) is a 15-20 minute walk away from Vicarage Road. It costs £1 per hour and is relatively easy to exit after the game ended.

There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Vicarage Road Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk. Also around a 20 minute walk away is Bromet Primary School on Oxhey Road (WD19 4SG) which costs £5. It opens two hours before kick-off and closes one hour after the end of the match.

Post Code for SAT NAV: WD18 0ER

By train

The nearest railway station is Watford High Street, a ten minute walk away from the Vicarage Road ground. However you are likely to come into Watford Junction Railway Station, which is about a 20 minute walk. Either get a train to Watford High Street from Watford Junction or if you have time to walk to the ground then.

Leave the station & take main road straight opposite (Clarendon Road) all the way (over Ring Road at lights) up to the High Street. Turn left and go past Wetherspoons (Moon under Water) on your right and then take the first right after 100 yards into Market Street. Continue along again crossing Ring Road to T junction & then left at an excellent chip shop. Vicarage Road is the next right turn. It should take around 15-20 minutes to walk.

Watford also has its own London Underground tube station, which is on the Metropolitan Line and is situated just under one mile from Vicarage Road. However overland trains from London normally have a shorter journey time. Thanks to Albert Fuller for providing the above directions.

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

There are lots and lots of buses that run from Central London to the Watford area and from Watford’s centre to Vicarage Road. Basically, if you want to get the bus to the ground then you’ll be fine.

Taxi

A taxi from Watford Junction Train Station to Vicarage Road will take about 10 minutes, traffic depending, and will set you back about £5.

Facilities

Given that all of the stands at Vicarage Road were re-built after 1990, the facilities are more than adequate. There are places to buy a bite to eat, a pint or soft drink and also perfectly nice toilets. It’s not the Ritz, but you’ll be more interested in what’s going on on the pitch than off it.

Hospitality

There are a number of hospitality packages offered by Watford, including the opportunity to sponsor an entire match day at Vicarage Road. Of course such a thing is particularly aimed at businesses hoping to promote themselves, but the club also recommend that it might be a nice family event or birthday treat.

You’ll get to see behind the scenes into the dressing rooms, be given a champagne reception and half a bottle of wine per person as well as a three-course meal and luxury padded seats from which to watch the match. There are also numerous business benefits like your company logo printed in the programme.

If you’d rather something less all encompassing then perhaps The 1881 Club is for you. It’s a little more relaxed and informal then sponsoring an entire match day, though you’ll still enjoy a three-course meal, complimentary programme and half-time refreshments. You’ll also get to enjoy the Man Of The Match presentation with the club’s highest scorer and all-time appearance record holder Luther Blissett.

Private hire

vicarageroadstadium.co.uk is the official website of the club’s private hire and entertainment arm and if they’ve got a dedicated website then they must know what they’re doing. They offer suites like The Elton John Suite and The 1881 Club, plus you can hire syndicated rooms that overlook the pitch and are ideal for smaller meetings or to be used as break out rooms.

Maybe you’re not as interested in the corporate events or meetings and are looking for somewhere to have a good old-fashioned knees up? Well they offer that, too. They cater for parties with private bars and catering packages, plus they are also licensed for weddings. Why not spend the most special day of your life at Vicarage Road?

Pubs & Bars Near Vicarage Road

It is only a couple of hundred yards from the ground and they even had a barbeque in the beer garden’The bar is situated off Cassio Road and is clearly visible when taking the route to Vicarage Road from the town centre via Market Street. The Irish themed pub is only a few minutes walk away from the away turnstiles.

It has a large beer garden, with a covered area for smokers and offers from its barbecue, Burgers (£3) and Hot Dogs (£2.50). It can be very busy, but you will be impressed with the service from behind the bar, getting served in a reasonable time (even though it looks like you have no chance of getting near to the bar let alone being served!).

Otherwise, the ground is in walking distance of the town centre, where along the High Street you will find a few pubs including a large Wetherspoons outlet called the Moon Under Water. If you are feeling peckish then if you are walking to the ground from the town centre then there are a number of eating establishments en route. Please note that alcohol is NOT sold in the away section.

Vicarage Road Hotels

The obvious thing to say regarding hotels is that Vicarage Road is near to Central London, so there are infinite possibilities of locations for your stay. If you’d rather stay a little nearer to the ground itself, however, then read on.

1. Best Western White House Hotel – £55+. Address: 27-31 Upton Road, Emta House, Watford, WD18 0JT. The Best Western is about half a mile from the stadium and has a restaurant, laundry service and meeting rooms.
2. Holiday Inn – Watford Junction – £75+. Address: 65-67 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1DP. Located about a mile from the ground, Watford’s Holiday Inn promises a bar, a fitness centre and self-parking.
3. Laura Ashley the Manor, Borehamwood – £130+. Address: Barnet Lane, Borehamwood, WD6 3RE. A little bit further afield than the other two hotels at around 5 miles away, Laura Ashley the Manor is the hotel for the more discerning football fan. With a 24-hour fitness centre, a terrace and gardens you’ll be able to unwind before you get stressed watching the match!

History

An all-seater stadium with a capacity of just over 21,000, Vicarage Road has been the home of The Hornets since 1922. What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that it was also the home of the Rugby Union team Saracens.

Vicarage Road was also the home ground of Wealdstone Football Club. And it has been the location for England Under-21 games and has seen Sir Elton John perform live numerous times. Sir Elton’s relationship with Watford continues to this day and is one of the most famous combinations in English football. Perhaps the connection of celebrity chef Delia Smith to Norwich City is the only other one that comes close!