middlesbrough football stadium tour

Stadium Tours Are Back

WE’RE delighted to announce the return of our Stadium Tours.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Stadium Tours haven’t been available since March 2020, however that is set to change from Thursday 28th October 2021 when the first tours will get a look behind the scenes at the Riverside.

Organised and delivered by Middlesbrough FC’s independent charitable arm  MFC Foundation ‘s Riverside Stadium Tours provide the perfect opportunity to see behind the scenes at the home of the Boro, the legendary Riverside Stadium .

All profits made from our Stadium Tours are donated back to  MFC Foundation allowing us to continue our life changing work.

Please note that the following rules will apply to all attendees of our stadium tours:

Masks MUST be worn in the changing rooms and tunnel area (and anywhere else you are asked to do so).

You must complete a negative lateral flow test within 24 hours of your arrival. (If you are medically exempt you must provide evidence on arrival at the stadium).

Children under 11 will not need to wear masks or take tests, those 11 and over will.

Prices are £10 for adults and £5 for children and tickets can be booked by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01642 757674 during normal office hours.

They are the same contact routes for any enquiries.

Tours will then take place every Thursday after this date from 1pm each day.

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Riverside Stadium

Club: Middlesbrough FC | Opening: 1995 | Capacity: 34,742 seats

History and description

The Riverside Stadium was the first large modern English stadium to be constructed after the Taylor Report. It replaced the old Ayresome Park , which, being hemmed in by terraced housing, lacked the possibilities for expansion.

The Riverside Stadium officially opened on the 26th of August 1995 with a match between Middlesbrough and Chelsea (2-0).

In 1998, the stadium got expanded with an additional 5,000 seats. Middlesbrough already has planning permission for a further extension of 7,000 seats, but will wait until demand justifies such increase.

In 2005, the club erected the old Ayresome Park gates in front of the Riverside Stadium as a reference to the club’s past.

How to get to the Riverside Stadium

The Riverside Stadium is located just north-east of Middlesbrough town centre and the town’s main rail station. The stadium sits on the banks of the River Tees.

It is just 10 to 15 minutes walking from Middlesbrough Rail station. The town centre lies directly south of the station  and is thus also at short walking distance from the stadium.

Address: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS

Eat, drink, and sleep near the Riverside Stadium

The Riverside Stadium is located between the River Tees and a railway track. It’s a rather industrial area with little around though the town centre is only a short walk away.

There are no hotel directly near the stadium, but the Jurys Inn  and  Holiday Inn Express  in the town centre are at easy walking distance and get good reviews. Click here for an overview of hotel near the Riverside Stadium.

Middlesbrough Tickets

Tickets for Middlesbrough FC games can be bought online , by phone +44 (0) 844 499 1234, in person at the Ticket Office at the stadium, or at the MFC store on Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough town centre.

Tickets can also be bought at the ticket office on the day of the match. Middlesbrough’s attendances have gone up significantly in the Premier League, but tickets are easily available for most matches.

Middlesbrough have divided their home matches into two pricing categories. Tickets for category B matches, the cheapest, range from £30.00 for a seat behind the goal or lower side to £34.00 for an upper-tier seat at the main stand. Tickets for Category A matches range from £35.00 to £39.00.

Call +44 (0) 844 499 1234 or email [email protected]  for more information.

Photos of the Riverside Stadium

Relevant Internet links

Mfc.co.uk – Official website of Middlesbrough FC. Visitmiddlesbrough.com – Middlesbrough tourist information. Nationalrail.co.uk – Check train times and fares.

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Riverside Stadium | Middlesbrough football ground guide

Riverside stadium guide.

The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough since it opened in 1995. Its current capacity is 34,742, all seated, although provisional planning permission is in place to expand to 42,000 if required.

Table of Contents

The stadium was built on the site of Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough’s previous home, which was demolished in 1994. The Riverside Stadium was designed by architects Foster and Partners and built by Cleveland County Council. It was officially opened on 26 August 1995 by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Riverside Stadium has hosted a number of major matches, including FA Cup semi-finals, League Cup semi-finals and England Under-21 internationals. It was also the venue for the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup Final, which was won by Middlesbrough.

The Riverside Stadium is a popular venue for concerts and other events. It has hosted a number of major music acts, including Oasis, U2, Coldplay and The Killers. It has also hosted boxing matches, wrestling matches and other sporting events.

The Riverside Stadium is a state-of-the-art stadium that is home to one of the most successful clubs in English football. It is a popular venue for both football matches and other events.

Here are some of the notable events that have taken place at the Riverside Stadium:

• FA Cup semi-final: Middlesbrough vs. Chelsea (2006)
• League Cup semi-final: Middlesbrough vs. Liverpool (2004)
• England Under-21 international: England vs. France (2002)
• UEFA Intertoto Cup Final: Middlesbrough vs. Grazer AK (2001)
• Oasis concert (2000)
• U2 concert (1997)
• Coldplay concert (2005)
• The Killers concert (2008)
• Tyson Fury vs. Sefer Seferi boxing match (2018)

The Riverside Stadium is a popular and well-respected stadium in England. It is a home to one of the most successful clubs in the country and has hosted a number of major matches and events.

Pubs near the Riverside Stadium for home and away fans

• The Six Medals is a Marston’s pub located next to the stadium. It has a large selection of beers on tap, as well as a menu of food and snacks. Address: Heath Rd, Middlehaven TS3 6AT. Phone: 01642 688044.
• The Navigation Inn is a traditional pub located a short walk from the stadium. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and a wide range of drinks and food. Address: Marsh Road, North ormesby , Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. Phone: 01642 226857.
• The Pig Iron is a popular pub with Middlesbrough fans. It has a lively atmosphere on match days, and a good selection of beers and food. Address: 37 Corporation Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 1LT. Phone: 01642 232184.
• The Isaac Wilson : This pub is a bit further away from the stadium, but it’s worth the walk for the food. The Isaac Wilson is known for its traditional pies and other hearty fare. Address: 61 Wilson St, Middlesbrough TS1 1SF. Phone: 01642 247708.
• Doctor Browns is another popular pub with Middlesbrough fans. It is located in the town centre, a short walk from the stadium. It has a wide range of beers and food, and a friendly atmosphere.

If you are looking for a more upmarket dining experience, there are a number of restaurants located in the town centre, within a short walk of the stadium. These include:

• The Zetland is a Michelin-starred restaurant located in a Grade II listed building. It offers a tasting menu of modern British cuisine. Address: 9 Zetland Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 1EH. Phone: 01642 246777.
• Turtle Bay is a Caribbean restaurant with a lively atmosphere. It serves a variety of jerk chicken, curry goat and other Caribbean dishes. Address: 32 Corporation Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 2RX. Phone: 01642 246070.
• Rio Brazilian Steakhouse is a restaurant where you can cook your own meat on a grill at your table. It offers a variety of meats, as well as salads and sides. Address: 93, 101 Albert Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 2PA. Phone: 01642 262288.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, you could try one of the bars in the town centre. The Town Square Bar and Grill is a popular spot for both locals and visitors. It has a wide range of drinks and food, as well as a large outdoor seating area.

The Riverside Stadium is located in the heart of Middlesbrough, so there are plenty of other pubs and bars to choose from. No matter what your taste, you’re sure to find a place to enjoy a drink and watch the match.

Hotels near the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough

• Premier Inn Middlesbrough Town Centre hotel – 1.2 miles away. Offers free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
• Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough – Formerly Jurys Inn – 0.8 miles away. Has a spa, indoor pool, and bistro.
• Holiday Inn Express Middlesbrough – Centre Square, an IHG Hotel – 1.1 miles away. Has a 24-hour cafe/bar, free breakfast buffet, and business center.
• Travelodge Middlesbrough – 1.3 miles away. Offers free parking and Wi-Fi.

These are just a few of the many hotels near the Riverside Stadium.

Here are some other things to consider when choosing a hotel near the Riverside Stadium:

• Price: Hotel prices can vary depending on the time of year, amenities, and location.
• Amenities: Some hotels offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, and a pool.
• Location: Some hotels are located closer to the stadium than others.
• Reviews: Read reviews of hotels before you book to get an idea of what other guests have experienced.

How to get to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough

• By car: The stadium is located on the A66, which is a major road that runs through Middlesbrough. There is plenty of parking available at the stadium, but it can get busy on match days.
• By train: Middlesbrough railway station is a short walk from the stadium. There are regular trains from London, Manchester, Leeds, and other major cities.
• By bus: There are a number of bus services that stop near the stadium. The nearest bus stops are on Linthorpe Road and Borough Road.
• By bike: The stadium is located on the Tees Valley Cycle Network, which makes it easy to get there by bike. There are bike racks available at the stadium.

Once you arrive at the stadium, there are a number of things to do. You can take a tour of the stadium, visit the club shop, or simply enjoy the atmosphere of a live match.

Here are some of the things you can do at the Riverside Stadium:

• Take a tour of the stadium: The stadium offers a guided tour that takes you behind the scenes and shows you the changing rooms, press box, and pitch.
• Visit the club shop: The club shop sells a wide range of Middlesbrough FC merchandise, including shirts, hats, scarves, and other souvenirs.
• Enjoy the atmosphere of a live match: The Riverside Stadium is a lively and passionate atmosphere on match days.

Useful links

Official club website

Middlesbrough FC

Fan forums and websites

Things to do at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, England

• Watch a Middlesbrough FC match. The Riverside Stadium is the home of Middlesbrough FC, a professional football club that competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football. Matches are usually held on Saturdays from August to May.
• Take a tour of the stadium. The Riverside Stadium offers a guided tour that takes you behind the scenes of the stadium, including the players’ tunnel, dressing rooms, and press box. Tours are available on a daily basis and last for approximately one hour.
• Visit the MFC Heritage Centre. The MFC Heritage Centre is a museum dedicated to the history of Middlesbrough FC. The museum has exhibits on the club’s past, including trophies, memorabilia, and photographs. The MFC Heritage Centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free.
• Enjoy a drink at the Twe12th Man Bar. The Twe12th Man Bar is located in the North Stand of the Riverside Stadium and is open to all supporters before, during, and after matches. The bar serves a variety of drinks and food and is a great place to meet up with friends and family before a match.
• Explore the surrounding area. The Riverside Stadium is located in the heart of Middlesbrough, a historic city with a lot to offer visitors. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars in the area, as well as a number of historical attractions, such as the Tees Transporter Bridge and Middlesbrough Museum.

Things to do near the Riverside Stadium

• Visit the Tees Transporter Bridge. This iconic bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers stunning views of the River Tees.
• Explore Stewart Park. This large park has a variety of attractions, including a boating lake, a golf course, and a children’s play area.
• Learn about the history of Middlesbrough at the Dorman Museum. This museum houses a collection of artifacts that tell the story of the city’s industrial past.
• Take a walk along the Tees Barrage. This man-made structure creates a series of lakes and wetlands that are home to a variety of wildlife.
• Visit the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. This museum tells the story of the famous explorer, who was born in Middlesbrough in 1728.
• See a show at the Middlesbrough Theatre. This theater hosts a variety of performances, from plays and musicals to concerts and comedy shows.

If you have more time, you could also visit some of the other attractions in the Tees Valley, such as the National Railway Museum in York, the Angel of the North in Gateshead, or the Beamish Museum in County Durham.

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Riverside Stadium

Home » Things to do » Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough Football Club’s stadium since 1995. The ground has a 35,000 capacity, and has played host to some of the biggest games in the club’s history, including domestic and European semi-finals.

The ground has also been used by the England national football on team on a number of occasions, as well as the first men’s Team GB squad in 80 years at the 2012 Olympics.

Outside the stadium are statues of two of Boro’s greatest ever players, Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick.

Find Riverside Stadium

Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough Football Club, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS

Read our latest Story about Riverside Stadium

We are arctic monkeys, 4 upcoming events at riverside stadium.

Family,  Music, comedy and theatre

24th May 2024 - 4:00pm - 11:00pm

Take That – This Life tour

Take That are returning to the Riverside joined by special guest Olly Murs.

8th June 2024 - 4:00pm - 11:00pm

James Arthur – Bitter Sweet Love tour

James Arthur returns to Middlesbrough to celebrate his roots with a very special homecoming show.

Family,  Sports and outdoors

16th June 2024 - 10:15am - 5:00pm

Ali Brownlee 5K

Lace up those running shoes, as the popular Ali Brownlee 5K returns for 2024, hosted by by Run For All.

16th June 2024 - 11:15am - 2:00pm

Ali Brownlee 2K 2024

The Ali Brownlee 2K is returning to the Middlesbrough sporting calendar.

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Middlesbrough

Riverside stadium.

Capacity: 34,742 (all seated) Address: Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS3 6RS Telephone: 01642 929420 Ticket Office: 01642 929421 StadiumTours: 0844 499 6789 Pitch Size: 115 x 75 yards Pitch Type: Grass Club Nickname: Boro Year Ground Opened: 1995 Undersoil Heating: Yes Shirt Sponsors: Unibet Kit Manufacturer: errea Home Kit: Red and White Away Kit: Navy with Yellow trims Third Kit: White with Black and Red trims

What's is the Riverside Stadium Like?

The Club moved to the Riverside Stadium in 1995 after leaving its former home of Ayresome Park where it had played since 1903. The stadium is enclosed after the previous open corners to either side of the West Stand were ‘filled in’ with seating in 1998. All the stands are two-tiered, although the West Stand is slightly larger than the other three sides, which makes the overall appearance of the stadium look somewhat imbalanced. This stand also has a row of executive boxes running across its middle and has the player’s tunnel and team dugouts in front. The roof around the stadium is raised above the seating areas to allow more light to get to the pitch, through perspex panels located between the roof and the back of the seating areas. There is also a large video screen situated in the southeast corner.

Although the stadium looks a little bland on the inside, externally it looks great. This is especially so at night when the stadium is illuminated and is visible from some miles away. Outside the main entrance, you will find a pair of statues dedicated to two former Boro greats; George Hardwick & Wilf Mannion. In between the statues are the old entrance gates to Ayresome Park, which is a nice link with the Club’s history.

What is it like for away fans?

Away supporters are housed on one side of the East Stand (towards the South East corner) at one side of the stadium  Just under 3,000 fans can be accommodated in this area. The turnstiles are electronic which means that you have to insert your ticket in a reader, to gain entry. The away turnstiles are numbered 53-61 and normally open 90 minutes before kick-off (or at 6.30 pm for evening matches). Once inside then the legroom is okay and the view from the away section is excellent. There are several flat-screen televisions, showing Sky Sports (and the match itself once it has kicked off). The Club also allows fans to have at half time a cigarette outside the ground if they so wish.

The catering had a fair choice of grub on offer, including the intriguingly named ‘Parmo in a bun’. This is inspired by the local Middlesbrough dish that consists mostly of chicken in breadcrumbs, creamy sauce and cheese, it costs £4.20. For the less adventurous then there is the regular fayre of; Cheeseburgers (£3.80), Burgers (£3.50), Hot Dogs (£3.50), Pizza (£3), Chicken Balti Pies (£3), Cheese & Onion Pasties (£3) and Minced Beef Pies (£3).

To boost the atmosphere inside the ground the Club has encouraged a singing section in the South Stand which is called the ‘Red Faction’. Including a drummer and looking colourful with flags and banners, they try and sing for the whole match. They certainly are noisy!

One thing to point out is that there is very little in the way of pubs or eating establishments nearby, so you will need to head into the town centre for these.

Pubs for away fans

• Infant Hercules – 84 Grange Road, TS1 2LS
• Sherlocks – 7 Baker Street, TS1 2LH
• The Twisted Lip – 11-13 Baker Street, TS1 2LF
• Devil’s Advocate – 89 Borough Road, TS1 3AA
• The Swatters Carr – 228 Linthorpe Road, TS1 3QW
• The Southfield – 18 Southfield Road, TS1 3BZ
• The Isaac Wilson – 61 Wilson Street, TS1 1SF

Parmo in a bun at Middlesbrough ( @Boro ) 💷 £5 pic.twitter.com/WkF8ZvitBC — Footy Scran (@FootyScran) November 13, 2023

Ground History

Boro has been around the football world since way back in 1876 but whilst many see Middlesbrough and the Riverside go hand in hand it hasn’t always been that way. The Riverside Stadium has only been home to the club since 1995 with the Taylor Report, which came about off the back of the Hillsborough disaster, forcing the club to move. Before that Boro had spent 102 years calling Ayresome Park home; that stadium was developed by Archibald Leitch with the ground forming part of the 1966 World Cup. Even with over a century at Ayresome Park though there is many a year not yet accounted for. The early years of Boro’s existence were spent at Linthorpe Road West cricket ground.

Directions and Car Parking

It is quite easy to find. Just follow the A66 (signposted Teesside from the A1), passing Darlington FC’s former ground and on into Middlesbrough. Carry on up the A66, through the centre of Middlesbrough and you will pick up signs for the Riverside Stadium. There is a small amount of parking available at the stadium itself (in Car Park E). It costs £8.50 per car (£6 plus £2.50 booking fee) and spaces need to be pre-booked through the ticket office on 01642 929421. Otherwise, there are several private parks located (mostly on wasteland) nearby. Also when you reach the turn off the A66 (as signposted) for the stadium, rather than at the top of the slip road turning left towards the stadium, if you turn right to go back across the A66, then there is plenty of street parking available in this area. It is then about a 15-20 minute walk to the away turnstiles.

Jerry Hill adds; ‘I would suggest that away fans should follow the route marked “away coaches” from the A66, as this passes many private car parks along the river, all priced at £5’. Bear in mind though that if you do park at one of these car parks, then it may take 45 minutes or so after the game, before you can exit them. Otherwise, as the stadium is about one mile from the town centre you could also consider parking in a long-stay car park in the town centre (about a 15-20 minute walk away from the ground). Kevin a visiting Fulham fan tells me ‘I parked at the France Street long stay car park, which is free on Saturdays. It is about a 10-15 minute walk to the Riverside.’ This council-run car park can be found just off the A66 and its postcode is TS4 2AP.  There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Riverside Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk .

Post Code for SAT NAV : TS3 6RS

The Riverside Stadium is around a 15-20 minute walk from Middlesbrough Railway Station which is located on Albert Road. Although there is a direct train service from the North West, fans travelling from other parts of the country, will most likely find themselves changing at Darlington, for Middlesbrough.

If you come out of the main station entrance, turn left onto Zetland Road. Then left again into Albert Road and proceed under the railway bridge. Turn immediately right into Bridge Street East, going past the Bridge pub (not recommended for away fans) and then take the next right into Wynward Way. The stadium is down this road. If you come out of the rear station entrance, turn right onto Bridge Street East. Go straight past the Bridge pub and then take the next right into Wynward Way for the ground. The Riverside Stadium is visible in the distance along most of this route. Thanks to Glenn Brunskill for providing these directions.

The nearest airport is Teesside which is located just under 13 miles away, just outside Darlington. To get to the stadium it may be an idea to head into Darlington and then take a train to Middlesbrough, or to get a taxi from to airport to Middlesbrough which would cost around £20.

Ticket Prices

Like several Clubs, Middlesbrough operates a category system (A&B) for the pricing of tickets, whereby the most popular games cost more to watch. Category A prices are shown below, with Category B prices shown in brackets.

Adult : £26-£37 Over 65 : £17-£29 U18 : £12-£22

Programme Price

Official Programme: £2. Fly Me To The Moon Fanzine: £1

Local rivals

Middlesbrough vs Sunderland. The Tees-Wear derby is a fiercely contested match between two teams who are just thirty-or-so miles apart. Sunderland fans see Newcastle as their biggest rivals but a lot of fans still come into a fixture against Middlesbrough desperate for their side to win this derby.

Middlesbrough vs Newcastle United. The two clubs have not played each other much as of late but the two sets of fans still dislike each other a lot.

Record and Average Attendance

Record Attendance

At The Riverside: 35,000 England v Slovakia Euro 2004 Qualifier, 11th June 2003.

At the Riverside (For A Middlesbrough Game): 34,836 v Norwich City Premier League, 28th December 2004.

At Ayresome Park: 53,536 v Newcastle United Division One, 27th December 1949.

Average Attendance 2023-2024: 26,877 (Championship) 2022-2023: 25,693 (Championship) 2021-2022: 21,699 (Championship) 2020-2021: 43 (Covid) (Championship) 2019-2020: 19,933 (Championship)

Disabled facilities

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.

Stadium Tours

The Club conducts tours of the stadium on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays plus Sundays. The tours cost £6 for adults and £3 for senior citizens and children. Tours must be booked in advance on 0844 499 6789.

Map showing the location of the Riverside Stadium, railway station & listed pubs

Official Web Site:  www.mfc.co.uk  Unofficial Web Sites: Southern Supporters Club SmogChat Come On Boro One Boro The Boro FC Fly Me To The Moon (Fans Online Network) Block 17 Message Board

Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough Feedback

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.

Acknowledgements

The video of a Bird’s Eye View of the Riverside Stadium was produced by Middlesbrough FC and made publicly available for distribution via YouTube.

Steve Hartley (Doing the 92) 22nd August 2010

Middlesbrough v sheffield united championship league sunday 22nd august 2010, 1.15pm steve hartley (doing the 92).

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):   This is a ground I have been wanting to go for around two years, but never made it, so at least I got there this time. I once went to the old Ayresome Park as an away fan with some Oldham mates and found it very intimidating in the open corner area so I was interested to see how things have changed in 20 years.   2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I left Rochdale at 9.30 for a Sunday 1.15 kick off and found the journey very easy apart from the roadworks on the A1, the A19 is by far an easier way to go and that is what I did on my return home.116 miles going and 2 hours , coming back 107 miles and 1 hour and 30 mins.

Car parking was very easy due to this website, come off at the roundabout as stated and turn right, then turn first left after going over the A66 .You can then turn right onto at least 5/6 streets with loads of free parking and its about 15 mins walk and so easy to get back on the A66 to go home. Good for that!   3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?

With being 90 mins early I do what I usually do and walk around the ground just to have a nosey and see whats going on. I got a ticket for the home end North West upper (note in this section rows 20 to 27 are padded seats why i dont know but are comfy and the cheapest in the house �23 ). Then it was for refreshment time, I had a burger then a sausage sarnie (I had missed breakfast) from a stall outside the ground. Surprisingly both were cheap and very good.   4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?   The ground to me is nothing special , it reminded me of Derby county but thats the way never grounds are going (give me Hillsborough anyday). Not really much to say about these newer grounds apart from they do their job , seat you in safety and try to get as much cash out of you as they can.   5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..   The game itself was probably the worst game i have seen as a neutral and the atmosphere was pretty poor from both sets of fans, felt like a pre season game and was a big let down.   6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:   With there being such a poor crowd and the good parking area I was on my way in minutes after walking to my car, this is a real plus and I advise people to look at this when travelling to the riverside.   7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:   A good day out spoiled by the fayre on show, the football was shocking but the travelling , eating and parking made it an easy day out. 

Paul Willott (Preston North End) 26th August 2014

Middlesbrough v  preston north end capital league cup 2nd round tuesday 26th august 2014, 7.45pm paul willott (preston north end fan).

I couldn't honestly say that I was brimming with excitement before I embarked upon this trip; the League Cup engenders a mixture of responses depending on a clubs aspirations and I for one fervently hope that this season is one that Preston North End will remember for a successful promotion campaign from the third tier of English league football, and therefore cup runs are much more of a "nice-to-have".  However, it was to be my first "fix" of football for the new season, and as much as it might "only" have been the League Cup, I was intrigued to see how the squad that has started the season quite well would fare against a team from the Championship. 

Hence I departed from Kent, and running via Croydon to collect my travelling companion, commenced the drive North which once we'd escaped the stop-start clutches of the bedeviled M25 went fairly smoothly.

Upon arrival on Teeside, we swung onto the A66 from the A19 and soon spotted the quite imposing Riverside stadium to our left.  First impressions certainly count, we certainly agreed that it looked quite striking from the outside, and that pictures on the internet don't really do the place justice.

As per the guide, I was planning on turning to the right once trundling up the ramp upon leaving the main A66 to try to find some on-street parking in the residential areas, but noticed that there was seemingly some spaces for parking on grass verges closer to the stadium, so chanced our luck and found a spot so got parked quite close to the ground and saved ourselves a few bob!

The Riverside continues to impress as you approach on foot; first there is the impressive statues of former 'Boro greats such as Wilf Mannion, then there is also the former main gates of Ayresome Park sited in front of the stadium which is a nice touch, and a link to the clubs former home. Furthermore, one thing that certainly struck me was that the ground, despite being some 20 years old, is in very good condition. Many a newer ground is already weather-stained, streaks of rust spoiling the paintwork, but no so the Riverside. Not only has it clearly been solidly built, but it is well maintained, and that struck a chord with me. A club that takes a pride in its stadium and home is doing something right.

Ayresome Park Gates

Despite the lack of established eating facilities as listed in the guide, for match-day countless burger vans had appeared, and the one we chose to sample was serving up the most gorgeous grub. I opted for the more traditional 1/4lb cheeseburger whereas my buddy opted for the variant with mushrooms.  I noticed amongst the many other options was a Hawaiian burger, which we discussed and assumed would be served with pineapple? With hindsight, we should have gone back for more…

And so attention turned to the game in prospect. I knew there would be nowhere near a full house but my concern was that if hardly any turned up at all, the prospect of just a few thousand in such a handsome stadium would make for an empty atmosphere. However, although the approximately 11,000 fans that appeared, was a little lower than the league crowds experienced currently at the Riverside, it was still more than I'd feared, but crucially enough to generate a much better atmosphere than I'd dared to hope for too. Perhaps the strategy of reducing ticket prices does encourage fans to turn up on nights like these. Some matches with a derby element seem to be recapturing a degree of attraction to supporters; there was a full house at Deepdale last season for our first round clash with Blackpool, and the Leeds-Bradford match I noticed had a large attendance this week too

In fact, the few thousand in the "singing section" in the South Stand never let up all night, and with the drums and the flags waving certainly again left a positive impression that sufficient 'Boro fans were up for a cup clash even if it was against lower league opposition.

As the build-up to the match continued I perused the matchday programme which would have been ok if it didn't touch a raw nerve of mine by making a feature of this infernal ice-bucket challenge; worse was to follow on the big-screen as they showed footage of the manager followed by player after player taking part in this childish, gimmicky, and wasteful charity stunt. Fortunately, there were other things in the programme to read whilst that farce was displayed…

Once the match got underway, it soon developed into an intriguing contest. Both sides took the chance to rest a few senior players and blood some youngsters and the first 20 minutes was played in an almost continental defensive keep-ball style with very little typical English action. Unusual perhaps, but it was interesting to see and also good to see that concentrated effort on passing football. Gradually both sides started to probe a little more, with arguably the best chance of the first half falling to one of the Preston youngsters only for him to slip at the crucial moment and miss a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

In fact, it would be the second half before the game really erupted into life, with first 'Boro taking the lead with a well worked free-kick, then Preston equalising with an equally great set-piece move, only for 'Boro to take the lead again 3 minutes later. Subsequently the home side cemented their lead with a third goal, but great credit to the Preston players who were striving with intensity throughout the second half, it was only when we crept towards injury time that I sensed it was all over.

Once the final whistle blew, we trooped out and we jumped in the car and within 3 minutes we were motoring freely along the A66.  I sense the night was more remarkable for the fact that 28,000 had graced the stadium MK to witness an unbelievable 4-0 spanking of a certain club formerly known as Newton Heath; but from our little perspective we'd thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the match experience exceeded expectations too.  

All clubs take note; look after your ground the way 'Boro look after theirs, and you'll be okay!

Michael Stoner (Brighton and Hove Albion) 2nd May 2015

Middlesbrough v brighton and hove albion championship league saturday 2nd may 2015, 12.15pm michael stoner (brighton and hove albion fan).

Why you were looking forward to going to the Riverside Stadium? I first was intrigued of this away game since about the new year. First of all, it was the last game of the season. The last game of the season historically been highly intense, especially if the club you're supporting is fighting for their place in something. Another thing that i was looking forward to was travelling the distance between Teeside and Sussex. I never really experienced travelling this distance and looked on this fixture and actually doing it. And lastly, when I actually booked my tickets in March, the promotion and title race was anyone guess and it'll be a good day out if I saw a side potentially 'Go Up' or if not, win the league. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Middlesbrough slipped up against Fulham last week which meant Watford gained promotion to the Premier League at Brighton and Bournemouth practically sealed their promotion as well (providing they don't lose to Charlton and Middlesbrough beat us with a swing a 19 goal victory)

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking? I decided to coach this game as i usually do when i travel along to away games. I went with a independent 'Run by Fans, for Fans' coach, called Blues away, and left Eastbourne at 2:30am in the morning. Finally reached and left the Amex by 4. The Journey itself was relativity stress free as we didn't get stuck in traffic. We did stop at a service station about 6.45ish in the morning and stopped for 45 minutes. Besides that, the journey was spent on the motorway

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly? The coach arrived at the Riverside at 10:10am and conveniently parked directly outside the away turnstiles. There was several Burger vans dotted around the stadium however I didn't treat myself. I did enter into the shop and purchase a scarf, as you do. I felt the home fans was extremely friendly, nearly every 'Boro fan i spoke to ask the same question "… So what time did you leave this morning"

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Riverside stadium? My first impression of the stadium, from the motorway, was a good one. Inside, the stadium looked tidy as we were located in the East Stand towards the South Stand. The leg room was adequate enough, and the concourse was big enough for the travelling fans (by the looks of it, we must of taken about 400-500 fans). The stadium is certainly of Premier League Standard.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.. The Brighton fans were 'lucky' enough to been given a free £6 voucher to spend on the refreshment bar, courtesy of our club. Personally, I had a Chicken Balti Pie and a coke. I personally didn't rate the pie I had. The facilities is what I expected from a team who spent many years in the top flight of English football. The toilets seemed clean and the concourse was adequate too. The stewards seems friendly enough. They didn't have much about presences about them. Brighton fans aren't renowned for trouble so the stewards have practically nothing to do except to guide fans to their seats, The home fans did put up a display before the game with their banners, flares and confetti. The 'Singing Section' was located in the South Stand and they did sing the whole of the first half which was led by a drummer. However they didn't make much noise in the second half as the drum failed to make an appearance.

The game itself was end to end. Each team had chances in both half's but struggled to put them away. Middlesbrough only threaten once Brighton slipped up or misplaced a pass …. which happened lot in the first half. I felt Brighton dominated in the last 20 minutes or so but failed to score. Substitution Craig Mackail-Smith came on and replaced Chris O'Grady in the second half for his last appearance with the Seagulls. Substitution and Brighton's player of the year Inigo Calderon came on and have a chance in the dying moments but it was saved. The game ended a 0-0 draw.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game: As I said earlier on, my coach was parked outside the away turnstiles, so it was easy to get to. Once everyone got onto the coach, we went back home. Besides a 5 minute wait just outside the stadium due to traffic, the traffic was stress free. We did stop off at the Watford Gap for 45 minutes or so, except for that, we were mostly on the motorway. Got back home in Eastbourne about 9:45pm in the evening.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out: The day itself was decent enough but was it really worth spending 19 hours or so for a 0-0 result? Well, at least the Riverside can be ticked off of the list of stadiums I've been too. Thankfully this dreadful season is over for Brighton – the sooner we forget about it, the better.

Adam Chard (Bristol City) 22nd August 2015

Middlesbrough v bristol city championship league saturday 22nd august 2015, 3pm adam chard (bristol city fan).

With Sheffield Wednesday charging a ludicrous £39 per ticket for our first match of the season, I was happy to find Middlesbrough were charging marginally less at £32 just two weeks later. As Teesside is only 2 hours from my home in East Yorkshire and a very pleasant drive up the coast, I decided to tick off ground No 45.

With just 4 matches gone, and despite walking League One the previous season, Bristol City had already shipped 11 goals and constant speculation about big money signings didn’t seem to be helping matters. However, a last gasp draw with Leeds Utd the previous Tuesday had given us hope. Middlesbrough, on the other hand, had started the season brightly. They had lost out in the play-off final the previous season and had some decent players in their squad, including newly-signed David Nugent. So I really wasn’t hopeful for any kind of result.

As I had arrived around 1:15pm for a 3:30pm kick off I was able to park on Dockside Road, which leads right up to the Riverside Stadium. As you come off the Cargo Fleet Lane roundabout on the main A66 you turn left at the next roundabout – there are no parking restrictions. I had ample time to wander up towards the stadium on what was turning out to be a nice warm day.

One thing I had heard of, and wanted to try, was the famous Chicken Parmo in a Bun – a true Middlesbrough speciality – a breaded chicken cutlet (a bit like a schnitzel) smothered in white sauce and melted cheese. Well worth the £3 I spent on it from one of the numerous vans outside the ground.

The Famous Chicken Parmo

I had a wander around the outside of the stadium, which was very impressive, but all the while had a desolate feeling to it, tucked away amongst waste ground and salvage yards. Obviously, as the name suggests, it is right next to the River Tees and there was the impressive site of a massive ship docked behind one of the ends – not something you see at most grounds. I did a full circumnavigation of the ground, as there was plenty to see: The old Ayresome Park gates flanked by the statues of Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick, a mural charting the history of Ayresome Park, along with old seats from the ground, and a great view of the Transporter Bridge.

The turnstiles are all equipped with bar code scanners, so my ticket had to be purchased from an office before entering.  The facilities inside were as I would expect from such a modern ground. A good concourse area, with Sky TV showing the noon match and large food and drink outlets – got a pint of Strongbow (no decent cider for us discerning Bristolians of course!) for £3.70.

The Ship Got A Good Parking Spot!

The stadium from the inside was also very impressive. With the seating forming a near continuous bowl the effect. which was tremendous. The main Grandstand opposite looked huge and there was a big screen to our left. We were situated in the South East corner, so the home side effectively had two home ends. There were a lot of banners hung around the stadium by various fan groups – although some had seen better days. Leg room wasn’t bad and the view was excellent.

As the stadium filled up a good atmosphere started building, with the City fans who had made the 530 mile round trip in good voice. City got off to an incredible start – better than I could have hoped for – with a fantastic goal curled into the top right corner from our wing back, Bristol-born Joe Bryan, on 10 minutes. Cue wild celebrations in our little corner and stunned silence from Boro. Middlesbrough still looked menacing and their left winger Wildschut was causing all sorts of issues. However, it really should have been 2-0 midway through the first half as Bobby Reid blazed over from close range and it could have been even better for City had Konstantopoulos not managed to pull off a fantastic save when Kodjia’s shot looked like it was goalbound.

Boro did have the ball in the back of the net at one point, but the referee had already blown for a quite blatant foul. The second half came and went and with City looking more and more defensive many of us wondered when the inevitable equaliser would come. However, City stood firm. When the likes of Flint and Ayling weren’t clearing anything slung into the box, Ben Hamer in goal was coming up with some incredible saves.

View From The Away Section

Boro threw on ex City favourite Albert Adomah, who received a standing ovation and had his name chanted by the travelling City fans – despite the fact he was attacking our goal! However, it was to be our day as the clock ticked to full time, sparking some jubilant celebrations in the away section. Our first win back in the Championship.

It was an easy ten minute walk back to car, although I found that many more people had parked in Dockside Road, so the road was pretty jam packed with cars left in all manner of awkward places, making it difficult to get out. I queued to get onto the main road for a while and it took me around 15 minutes to get out of Middlesbrough.

So overall, a fantastic away trip: nice food, good stadium, great result!

Michael Pala (Doing the 92) 12th September 2015

Middlesbrough v mk dons championship league saturday 12th september 2015, 3pm michael pala (doing the 92).

Why were you looking forward to going to the Riverside Stadium?

Having been to Derby County FC many times, I've been intrigued by the Riverside as they are almost identical stadiums. Also being the furthest Championship ground from where I live, it had an aura of mystery.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

It was a 220 mile journey to the Riverside from my home. I parked in the Captain Cook Square multi storey car park in the town centre and walked to the ground, which took about 15 minutes.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

I had stayed in Hartlepool the night before. I then drove to Middlesbrough via the Transporter Bridge (a must see) and also went up to the top of the Transporter Bridge by lift as they had a heritage open day. Drove around Middlesbrough visiting the Brian Clough statue, his childhood street and also went to the location of Ayresome Park; Middlesbrough's old ground. I then went into the town centre for lunch and had a quick look round the shops before walking to the Riverside. The people of Middlesbrough were very chatty, welcoming and helpful.

What you thought on seeing the Riverside, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Being used to Pride Park, the first glimpse of the Riverside is a shock and especially when there's a large ship parked next to it!! Inside the stadium it was very similar to Pride Park except for the colour and the roof (slopes down at Pride Park but drops suddenly at the Riverside).

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The stewards at the Riverside were very helpful and friendly. Atmosphere from the home fans was great considering being just under two thirds full. Facilities in stadium were great and toilets were clean. The game saw eventually saw the home side score two goals in the last 20 minutes, to take all three points.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

I went into the club shop before walking back to the town centre to collect my car. The traffic would have died down and getting away from the town centre was easy and I was back in Bedfordshire in just over 3.5 hours.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A trip to Middlesbrough is definitely worth it! To make the most of it, its best to go up the day before so you can have a look around the area in the morning. The Transporter Bridge is definitely worth a visit. Whilst the town centre is the same as most town centres, there's definitely enough shops to keep someone busy if you're taking someone who isn't going to the match. People in Middlesbrough and the surrounding area were very friendly and helpful.

Martin (Sheffield Wednesday 28th December 2015

Middlesbrough v sheffield wednesday football championship league monday 28th december 2015, 5.15pm martin e (sheffield wednesday fan).

Why were you looking forward to visiting the Riverside Stadium?

I hadn't been to an away game for a while and I was meeting up with friends, old and new.

Despite the worry of the recent flooding around Yorkshire, the drive up was fairly straight forward, with no problems. We arrived in Middlesbrough fairly early, so managed to get parked up fairly easily.

We went into the Dr.Browns pub in the centre, which had a good mix of home and away and mostly friendly natured (apart from a couple of idiots from both sides). The Police presence was pleasantly minimal too!

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Riverside Stadium?

have been before and it is certainly an impressive sight,especially at night, all lit up for miles around, although the area around the ground is still pretty post-apocalypse-esque.

Despite it being a bank holiday tea-time, live on SKY television, costing £32 a ticket and just three days after Christmas, there were 28,000 in attendance, with just short of 2,000 away fans, which was very impressive. The atmosphere was also very good. Despite going 1-0 down after 42 seconds the visiting supporters were good vocally and for a pleasant change the home fans were pretty vocal too! Even though they did sing a lot of the cringey generic stuff.

A bit hairy going through the underpasses but with 28,000 people all leaving and most heading back the same way, to be expected really. we were back at the car and on our way within 20 minutes.

Apart from the result, it was a good day out with friends and a decent game and atmosphere.

Daniel Ainsworth (Blackburn Rovers) 6th February 2016

Middlesbrough v blackburn rovers football championship league saturday 6th february 2016, 3pm daniel ainsworth (blackburn rovers fan).

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Riverside Stadium?

I am aiming to go to many grounds this year with my team Blackburn. With Middlesbrough doing well in the League and with Rovers not doing so well, I was hoping for an upset!

The trip there was easy, as we had travelled by official supporters coach. However when parking the coach was sent the wrong way so we lost time but still got there 40 minutes before the game kicked off.

As we didn't have much time, we went straight to the ground, which we entered with no fuss. Our best striker Jordan Rhodes had left Rovers for Teesside on January transfer deadline day. So we wasn't impressed to see his photo on the front cover of the matchday programme.

I can have no complaints! It was an excellent view of the playing action from the away section and the home fans were amazing in generating some noise.The ground was modern and had an atmosphere unlike many of the other current bowl shaped grounds in my opinion.

The game was dominated by Rovers surprisingly and deservedly took the lead after 72 minutes only to be clawed back for a 1-1 draw six minutes later – ending the game at 1-1. The atmosphere was the best of the 10 away grounds I've been this year and the singing section next to us was amazing! We had continuous chants going competing with them but it was all in good spirit. The food was overpriced – especially the Parmo in a bun (chicken in breadcrumbs with cheese) at £4.20. Chips were served in small portions at a pricey £2.20 as well as Burgers nearing the £4 mark.

We only brought 500/600 so getting out the ground wasn't difficult. Due to the 26,000 attendance the coaches had to wait for around 20 minutes to allow the crowd to disperse before we could set off. 

Great day with a great result and I would certainly return!

Lee Sockett (Stoke City fan) 13th August 2016

Middlesborough v stoke city premier league saturday 13th august 2016, 3pm lee sockett (stoke city fan).

I was looking forward to my visit to the Riverside and was expecting a hard game with it being Middlesborough's first home game back in the Premier League. Not the game I would of picked for our first away fixture but you get what your given and I was looking forward to seeing a good competitive match.

Traveling up to Middlesborough on the official transport offered by Stoke caused no problems apart from the stop at a service station to meet up with a Police escort. With 28 coaches or 1500 fans all landing at a Shell Petrol Station wasn't the brightest idea and the Police soon came to the same conclusion and quickly got us back on the coaches and back on our way to the ground, where we arrived at 12:30pm.

After arriving so early myself and my two boys had a walk around the impressive looking Riverside Stadium. As we were early we were able to see both teams official coaches arrive. Home fans very welcoming and we're looking forward to the game and in a confident mood.

Having last visited the Riverside Stadium in 1998 I wasn't expecting a huge change but was impressed with how clean the ground was and it had good facilities for fans.

The game it self was a let down for the first 45 minutes for Stoke. Think we were still in pre-season mood, the home fans were really up for it and the early goal give them a lift they didn't really need. The Steve Gibson they sung was really good. After going in only a goal down at half time, we regrouped and got a equaliser from a Shaqiri set piece. Maybe we could have nicked it late on but overall a draw seemed a fair result. Good selection of food and drinks on offer even if they were a little pricey. Stewards were fine and didn't really get involved with fans despite us standing for the 90 minutes. There was some good banter between home and away supporters but both sets of fans would of left happy.

Really quick getaway by the official coaches within 20 minutes of the final whistle, with another Police escort back out of town. Wouldn't like to be on the car park next to the official coaches as it looked like it was going to take a while to getaway from there.

Middlesbrough was a good away day for the first game of the season, would recommend vesting the Riverside Stadium for a good sing song and banter with home fans.

Tony Newman (Tottenham Hotspur) 24th September 2016

Middlesbrough v tottenham hotspur premier league saturday 24th september 2016, 3pm tony newman (tottenham hotspur fan).

Never been to Middlesbrough, but had heard good things about the Riverside Stadium. Also I live relatively local, being near Edinburgh.

The rail journey took longer than expected due to rail engineering works. Took a taxi from town centre to the ground – cheap and easy.

A few beers in Yates in Town centre and then had a look at the famous Transporter Bridge….. 

Impressive Architecture – took a wander around to appreciate it. The away end has an excellent view.

Great home support – plenty of singing and folk banging drums. Stewards friendly and professional. Arrived a bit late so missed out on food and drink. That said it looked good and reasonably priced. Our fans looked like they were enjoying it!

A gentle steady walk back to Middlesbrough Railway Station – followed the herd…. Well organised stewarding and appropriate Police presence (viable but not over the top).

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out    

Excellent, I would recommend a visit to the Riverside Stadium to all away fans. Locals are friendly and welcoming (that said there were a few idiots on train home – but there always is!). Got chatting to a few Middlesbrough fans on the train and found common ground straight away.

Peter Bassett (Tottenham Hotspur) 24th September 2016

Middlesbrough v tottenham hotspur premier league saturday 24th september 2016, 3pm peter bassett (tottenham hotspur fan).

Although I had seen us play a few times at the old Ayresome Park in the past, this was going to be my visit to the Riverside Stadium. Down the years we haven't done too well generally, at Boro – but I hadn't seen us lose at Ayresome Park in my three visits. So I was hoping that I could carry this over to the Riverside.

My daughter and I caught the 7am train up from London Kings Cross. It  then a quick change at Darlington onto a local train – and we then arrived at Middlesbrough at 10am.

We visited the Transporter Bridge, which is only a short walk from the railway station. I would thoroughly recommend this. We found it hugely interesting. We even saw a seal in the River Tees! You also get a fantastic view of the area, including the Riverside Stadium. This took us to 11-30am – after which we walked back past the station and into the local shopping centre. There wasn't a great deal to choose from, eating-wise. So we settled down in a Burger King. Home fans were fine – no problems whatsoever.

The Riverside Stadium looked excellent from the outside. A very impressive Main Stand – and a nice touch to keep the old gates from Ayersome Park. The away end is very similar to most other modern day stadiums (Leicester, Swansea, Southampton etc..)

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.

We were 2-0 up at half time – and it really should have been four or five. Boro weren't even in it. In the second half, we took our foot off the gas and played too much tippy tappy football. They got a goal back – but other than one half chance, saw the game out. Didn't eat inside – so can't comment on the food. Stewards were excellent. Let you bring bottles inside to drink – with the lid on! Which in this day and age, is something novel. The facilities were very good and all the toilets had an ample amount of loo roll! The home fans started off loudly – especially the drummer! But at 2-0 down, it understandably tailed off. Once they scored, it did get quite loud, although only the fans to the left of us sung.

Pretty straight forward to get away from the ground. We walked past the dry dock and then it's virtually a straight line to the station. There's a nice kebab house just past the shopping centre – very close to the Eight Bells monument. Our train left at 7.30pm with a change at York. Got back to North London just before midnight.

Although a long day – very rewarding! Got the three points, a decent stadium, no trouble. Visit the Transporter Bridge – well worth it!

Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth) 29th October 2016

Middlesbrough v afc bournemouth premier league saturday 29th october 2016, 3pm paul sheppard (afc bournemouth fan).

Always a good atmosphere at the Riverside Stadium. Plus I thought that Bournemouth had a reasonable chance of a point or three!

Drove into the town centre and parked in a car park for £2.50 for 3 hours near the pub we were meeting friends in. Like last season we got a little lost in the town centre and ended up driving in circles a bit, despite using the Sat Nav.

Had a drink in Doc Browns where home and away fans mixed without any bother. Just had a sandwich I had bought at the services as very few people eating in the pub and my friends who had eaten said the food was nothing special. Then made the 20 minute walk to the Riverside.

I had been to the Riverside for the same fixture last season, so I knew what to expect. It is a standard modern ground, but not in the nicest part of Middlesbrough! This was one of the few away games I had been to in the Premier League where we had not sold out our allocation, so I enjoyed the space and the chance to sit down and still see the game when I felt the need or desire.

Bournemouth weren't great and neither were Boro. But we were undone by an excellent individual goal by Raston Gamirez on the counter from our corner, before Downing sealed our fate in the second half. Stas showed we had more of the possession and really pushed on in the last 20 minutes but when we lost Surman and went down to ten men with about 10 minutes to go we knew the game was up.

A fairly slow walk back to the town centre as many fans were heading in that direction. Not too bad heading away from the town centre towards Darlington (where we were staying).

Apart from the result we had a good day out (especially my mate, who's a Boro fan). As usual the Boro fans created an excellent atmosphere for what was an average game with only the occasional exciting interlude.

Will Donaghue (Chelsea) 20th November 2016

Middlesbrough vs chelsea premier league sunday 20th november 2016, 4pm will donaghue (chelsea fan).

I had always wanted to visit the Riverside Stadium but had never got the chance to as Middlesbrough were playing in the Championship League. But with Middlesbrough back in the Premier League it was a great opportunity to finally go! Also with Chelsea on a five game winning streak, I was confident we would get a positive result.

We drove up on the Saturday and stayed in a Premier Inn hotel in Hartlepool which is close to Middlesbrough. The next day it was easy to find a car park near the stadium which was about a 20 minute walk away from the Riverside.

Before the game we stopped off at a nearby KFC to get some food and then drove to Middlesbrough, got parked up, picked up a programme and walked straight into the stadium. The Middlesbrough fans seemed friendly.

Seeing the Riverside Stadium from a distance was quite good! I was really impressed seeing how close we were to the pitch in the away end.

Chelsea won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Diego Costa to extend our winning streak to 6 games! This result also meant we climbed to the top of the league! We had a few chances to make it 2 or 3-0. Middlesbrough only had 1 good chance but they were great defensively. The atmosphere from the Middlesbrough fans was pretty decent but our away support never disappoints! The toilets were alright. And the stewards had no problems with us standing up through the whole game. It was great to be singing 'We're top of the league' at the end of the match!'

Getting away after the game was quite easy. 20 Minute walk back to the car park and back on to the motorway in about 15 minutes or so.

The Riverside was a great stadium to visit! And to see Chelsea extend the winning streak was fantastic! Would love to go back to the Riverside next season should Middlesbrough stay up! Off to the Etihad Stadium next! Come on Chelsea!

Phil Bowmen (Liverpool) 14th December 2016

Middlesbrough v liverpool premier league wednesday 14th december 2016, 7.45pm phil bowmen (liverpool fan).

I hadn't yet visited the Riverside Stadium due to Middlesbrough being in the lower leagues for so long. So when they came up I thought I'd give it a go.

Simple enough driving ourselves. Parked at our hotel for the night in the town centre.

We had a couple of pints in the Yates pub then made the walk over to the Riverside Stadium. The home and away fans mixed well and we seen no trouble at all. One thing that annoyed me though was on the way to and from the ground I was approached twice by shifty looking people. One asking for 70p for his bus home the other was just your usual bagger asking for spare change. Not something I've ever experienced anywhere else in the country on an away day.

Nothing special to be honest. The Riverside it's just a basic modern looking ground. The facilities are okay, but I have experienced better elsewhere.

Piece of cake. Really enjoyed the game, with Liverpool comfortably winning 3-0. The atmosphere was okay but home fans were very quiet most of the game. We should have won by more to be honest and I expect Middlesbrough will really struggle to stay in the Premiership this season.

Leaving the ground was simple enough. Took about 20 minutes to walk back into the town centre.

An okay with a great result.

Rob Pickett (Oxford United) 18th February 2017

Middlesbrough v oxford united fa cup 5th round saturday 18th february 2017, 3pm rob pickett (oxford united fan).

First visit to the new(-ish) Riverside Stadium and a big tie for League One Oxford United.

The Riverside Stadium is easy to find, parking less so with many 2-hour restrictions in place. Parked in an unofficial car park space near-ish the ground for £3.

Went to Dr Browns pub but that was overwhelmed by Oxford fans (3,800 attended the game). Went to Jurys Inn Hotel Bar in the end. Overall a sad lack of real ale in Middlesbrough.

I like the Riverside as a stadium. Great views and a full house generates a great atmosphere.

The first half was was all Middlesbrough scoring two goals to take a 2-0 half time lead. Oxford staged a superb fightback in the second half to bring the game back level at 2-2, but Boro nicked it just before the end to go through 3-2. Police were very chatty and stewards anonymous.

Bit of a nightmare. It took 40 minutes before we got going back on the roads.

A great day of football – a real cup tie. The Riverside Stadium is well worth visiting. If you like keg or lager then loads of options before the game, for real ale – forget it. Do not plan on a quick getaway after the game has ended.

Jack Talbot (Sunderland) 26th April 2017

Middlesbrough v sunderland premier league wednesday 26th april 2017, 7.45pm jack talbot (sunderland fan).

I was looking forward to visiting the Riverside Stadium as I love following Sunderland away and this was a ground that I had not yet ticked off with Sunderland yet.

Car parking was fairly easy and we managed to get to the away end a lot easier than we had expected.

We had no interaction with the Boro fans because of the rivalry between the two clubs, plus we were separated from the home supporters pretty much as soon as we arrived. Many away fans were given police escorts to the game.

The ground from the outside is okay. Internally the Riverside Stadium is average size, with the away section accommodating around 3,000.

The game itself was shocking, two terrible sides; neither of which deserve to be playing Premier League football this season. The home fans were okay in all honesty, but they never really got going until after their goal and resorted to a drum to make that noise. The atmosphere from the Sunderland fans was terrific from the first minute to the last, 2989 of us were housed in the north-east corner of the ground and we made ourselves heard throughout the game even in the second half at 1-0 down.

Getting away was no bother, I managed to get pictures with three of our players and getting out was absolutely no trouble at all.

A poor game but a cracking night. Great support from the red and white army as always and my first away visit to the Riverside Stadium, the first of a few hopefully as it's a day out I really enjoyed. I would definitely recommend going there.

Stephen Welch (Manchester City) 30th April 2017

Middlesbrough v manchester city premier league sunday 30th april 2017, 2.10pm ​stephen welch (manchester city fan)  .

A win would keep us ahead of our Old Trafford rivals. I had been to the Riverside Stadium this season for the FA Cup Quarter Final game against us and I was hoping for another win.

The Riverside Stadium is very easy to find and is well signposted. We went by minibus and so could have parked with the away coaches/minibuses in the official car park at the stadium which cost £10. But instead, we opted for some free parking opposite KFC.We also thought that by doing this we could get away quicker after the game, rather than being with the Police escort. However, by the time everyone got back to the bus when the match had ended, the escort had started so we had to wait in the long queue. Note to self, park with the coaches and pay the £10!

The home fans were friendly before and after. We listened to the first half on the radio of the 'Trafford' v Swansea game and watched the second half inside the stadium on the away concourse. There was great joy when Swansea scored with beer being thrown!

The Riverside Stadium is similar to a lot of new grounds, Sunderland, Southampton etc..

It was a game to forget, and City were lucky to get a point, with a dubious penalty allowing the visitors to get back into the game.

As I said, it took a while so will park at the away end next time to get away quicker. Cars not allowed in away end parking, so they would have to park elsewhere.

Could have been worse if we had lost, so have to be happy with the draw especially with Pep playing a 3-5-2 formation.

Joe Hylton (Queens Park Rangers) 16th September 2017

Middlesbrough v queens park rangers football championship league saturday 16th september 2017, 3pm joe hylton ( queens park rangers fan), shaun (leeds united) 2nd march 2018, middlesbrough v leeds united championship league friday 2nd march 2018, 7.45pm shaun ( leeds united fan), norman wilson (millwall) 24th august 2019, middlesbrough v millwall championship saturday 24th august 2019, 3pm norman wilson (millwall), brian moore (millwall) 24th august 2019, middlesbrough v millwall championship saturday 24th august 2019, 3pm brian moore (millwall), phil (reading) 14th september 2019, middlesbrough v reading championship saturday 14th september 2019, 3pm phil (reading).

A couple of decent away wins already this season meant I thought I did give the trip to the Riverside a go. This was the only northeast ground I had yet to do.

Very easy. Thankfully I had based myself at a mates house in Warwick the evening before so a 4.5 hour journey was now just the 3 hours! Really pleasant, easy drive, no congestion in the town. Decided to park in the Captain Cook Car Park in town so as to get away quicker afterward. This cost £4.30 for about 5 hours, as I had arrived at about 12.30.

From the car park wandered through town and headed to the Corporation Toad, to the Doctor Browns pub. There was a handful of both home and away fans getting on well. Had a chat with a couple of really friendly Boro fans. The beer was certainly cheaper than down south. I was disappointed that the pub was not showing either of the early kick offs, but rather had a DJ blaring out pop music whilst we struggled to converse!

The ground looked good from the outside, I liked the setting right by the river. There is a fan bar area outside where they had a guy up on a stage singing. The away end was on the side rather than behind the goal which is always better.

I enjoyed the game even though we lost 1-0. We definitely did not deserve to lose though. Didn’t really have any dealings with the stewards. £2 a programme is a bargain though. Boro sang a song to the tune of “The Entertainer“ a couple of times but other than that the home crowd were very quiet. One thing you HAVE to try is a Parmo. Possibly the best thing I have ever tasted at a football ground.

A brisk 20 minutes walk back to my car in the car park but got away really quickly and started heading south. Easily the quickest I’ve ever got away from an away game in a car.

Other than the result it was a great day. Pleasant fans, great food and cheap beer. Good views and the sun was out which helped. Glad I finally got to visit the riverside. I have done 65/92 with Reading now.

Neil Dykes (Doing the 92) 11th January 2020

Middlesbrough v derby county championship saturday 11th january 2020, 3pm neil dykes (doing the 92), aimee henry (wolverhampton wanderers) 18th september 2020, middlesbrough v wolverhampton wanderers championship league friday 30th march 2018, 5:30pm aimee henry (wolverhampton wanderers fan).

As we approached the Easter weekend, fate was still very much in Wolves’ hands. With a six point lead over 2nd placed Cardiff, and a 13-point gap to third placed Fulham, a win at in-form Middlesbrough could see us take another huge step towards the promised land of the Premier League. Mathematically, four wins from the final eight games would be enough. Which is just as well, because our record away at Middlesbrough is, in a word, woeful. 1951 was the last time a Wolves side tasted success on Teesside, the great Roy Swinbourne on the scoresheet that day. Could the current crop of Old Gold heroes end the hoodoo? 

Middlesbrough themselves had aspirations of finishing in the top 6, and although they hadn’t lived up to their pre-season billing at title favourites thus far, it still promised to be a test for us. It would be my first visit to the Riverside, our visits in recent years having all come at awkward times for me. With it being Good Friday though, there was no way I was missing this, even with Sky Sports deciding to adjust the kick-off time to 5:30. I had a bit of trouble finding some travel buddies, but eventually there were three of us heading to the game, including a friend on his first ever away day. 

Having weighed up the options, we eventually decided on using the club’s official travel, and to make the journey to Middlesbrough by coach. A price of £28 there and back worked out very well compared to petrol if I were to drive, and with it being a bank holiday, we didn’t even consider the trains! We left Molineux at 11:30am and arrived at the Riverside at 4pm. It would have been even sooner but for a 45-minute delay on the M1 just outside Sheffield. As frustrating as that is, my thoughts were with the people involved in the crash, and I hope they’re all okay and unscathed. 

Although the journey is a long one, in terms of roads it was straightforward, using the A38, A1, M1 and then the A19 to get into Middlesbrough. The coaches parked straight outside the away end, although I noticed plenty of parking space around the ground on the way in.  

With it being just over an hour before kick-off, we decided to head into the ground straight away, rather than wander around looking for a pub to, ahem, refresh! There didn’t appear to be any pubs around the stadium itself, and the surroundings weren’t exactly welcoming. Didn’t see too many home fans. I bought a programme, priced as always at £3, and headed inside. To my surprise (and delight), I found that they were serving Strongbow Dark Fruits on the concourse, the first time I have seen this, certainly that I remember anyway! They also had a huge selection of food on offer, much more than was advertised above the kiosks. Adopting the old adage of “when in Rome,”I opted to have a ‘Parmo’, which I found out was basically a chicken breast in breadcrumbs, topped with cheese and sauce. I have to say, it was beautiful! Recommend it if you happen to find yourself in Middlesbrough.The alcohol inside the ground was well priced, and they had a nice range on offer, certainly one of the better grounds this season in terms of choice. 

Like many towns and cities in the Midlands, my home, Middlesbrough has seen better days. As you approach the ground, the empty, unused industrial areas are a sad reminder of better times. That said, the Riverside Stadium stands out amongst the grey, grim skyline. Although not a new ground, it looks impressive and imposing, without having the blandness of a newly built monochrome stadium. 

Away fans are housed along the side of the stadium, in the East Stand. As well as a spacious concourse, you get excellent views from your seat, although do be aware that you will be looking into the sun for most of the first half of a 5:30 kick-off. To be honest, after the winter we’ve had, it was nice just to see the sun, I was beginning to think it didn’t actually exist anymore…

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc…

Wow, where do you even begin to sum up an evening like the one we had!? We started brightly, and by half time were 2-0 up, thanks to goals from the Portuguese wing wizards Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro. Costa’s goal was a brilliant team move, with Costa finally slamming home Barry Douglas’ cross, after neat build up involving Matt Doherty, Costa and Cavaleiro. The second goal, Cavaleiro’s 9th of the season, was simpler, with Douglas’ corner being met by Big Willy Boly. Randolph in the Middlesbrough goal superbly saved his header, but Cavaleiro reacted first to nod home the loose ball. 

At half time, we were all suggesting that ‘more of the same’ would do very nicely. What we got was something else entirely. Enter referee Stuart Attwell. Ruben Neves sliced the Middlesbrough defence open with a sensational through ball, and Costa latched onto it. Just before he could get into the box, he was clipped from behind by George Friend. The referee…waved it away. A couple of minutes later, Neves was sent off for a second booking after a poor tackle. 10 minutes later, we were down to 9 as Doherty also saw red for a second yellow. Now down to 9 men, it was a case of being organised, disciplined, and hanging on. And my word, we did it. Even though Patrick Bamford scored a late goal to give Middlesbrough a glimmer, we clung on to the priceless three points. There were fantastic scenes at full time, as Wolves manager Nuno, captain Conor Coady, and the entire playing squad celebrated in front of the away end. I think they realised the significance of it. 

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game.

Fairly easy, as the coaches were parked outside the away end. We left the Riverside at 8pm, and were back at Molineux by 11:30pm. A long day, but worth it.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out.

The kind of game which puts you completely through the ringer as a supporter.  I think I must have experienced every emotion during the game, elation, anger, frustration, joy, pride, and everything in between! As we all surmised on the way home, it will be one of the games we remember at the end of the season, and for a long time to come. I enjoyed my first trip to Teesside. Whilst the Riverside is not the best ground in the division, in terms of matchday experience, it offers a nice concourse, fantastic range of food and drink, nice facilities and a really good view from your seat. And when your team wins, what more could you ask for!

Adrian Hurst (Sheffield Wednesday) 18th September 2020

Middlesbrough v sheffield wednesday championship saturday 28th september 2019, 3pm adrian hurst (sheffield wednesday).

Tim Hinchliffe 17th October 2021

Game attended, competition, kick off time, team supported, why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself, what you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium, comment on getting away from the ground after the game, summary of overall thoughts of the day out, ground layout.

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Riverside Stadium: Middlesbrough FC

By Chemical Engineer (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Riverside Stadium opened in 1995 as a replacement for Ayresome Park after the Taylor Report declared that stadiums needed to be all-seater and it was decided that it would be too difficult to expand the original ground. Teeside Development Corporation offered Middlesbrough the Middlehaven location near to the River Tees. The 30,000 seat stadium cost £16 million to build and was constructed by Taylor Woodrow Construction.

The stadium opened with a win for the home side when they beat Chelsea 2-0 on the 26th of August 1995. The first ever goal at the new stadium was scored by Craig Hignett and the second goal was netted by Jan Åge Fjørtoft. The first season at the ground was also the club’s first back in the Premier League after two seasons away. Sadly their second season wasn’t as successful, with Boro losing out in the final of both domestic cups as well as relegated from the top-flight.

Riverside Stadium Photos

Riverside Stadium Seating Plan and Where to Sit

The Riverside is something of a cross between a bowl style stadium and the more traditional English style, four-sided ground. It is a fully enclosed stadium and every seat inside has an uninterrupted view of the pitch.

• The North Stand – This stand backs onto the nearby River Tees and is the location of the more vocal home supporters. Because of that it’s known as the New Colgate End, in reference to the stand at Ayresome Park where the same fans used to congregate.
• The West Stand – This is the largest stand in the ground and runs along the side of the pitch. There are executive boxes along its length and it is also the part of the ground that houses the changing rooms and the tunnel that leads to the pitch.
• The East Stand – This is the stand that houses both the Family Zone and the the visiting supporters.
• The South Stand – This used to be where the away supporters were located but they were moved before the start of the 2013-2014 season. The vocal group of supporters known as the Red Faction are housed here.

Middlesbrough Ticket Prices

Middlesbrough categorise their matches depending on the opposition, but only as A and B. The only other reason you’ll pay more money than someone else is if you chose to sit in a different part of the ground from them, as that’s how the pricing structure works. Here we’ll give you the different ticket prices for adults and the over-65s. The club also runs a scheme called Boro Pride, through which you can get a discount on match day tickets.

• Category A: Adults – £29 – £37 / Concessions – £20 – £29
• Category B: Adults – £26 – £34 / Concessions – £17 – £26

How To Get Middlesbrough Tickets

If you’re hoping to get tickets for Middlesbrough games then your best bet is to head to the club’s official website. From there you’ll be able to pick out and buy your tickets. If you don’t trust websites then you can call the club’s ticket office directly or else call in at the ticket office at the Riverside in person.

Where to Buy

• Ticket Compare

Getting To Riverside Stadium

The Riverside is just a mile from the centre of Middlesbrough, with the city itself being out on the North-East of England’s coast. That means it’s a little out of the way but still in a good position to get to.

Train – Middlesbrough Train Station is about twenty minutes walk from the ground. It’s about three hours away from London with a change in Darlington, whilst if you’re heading there from a North-West location such as Liverpool it could take up to four hours with a change at York.

Bus – The nearest bus station to the ground is one that stops outside Cineworld, about ten minutes walk from the stadium. Bus numbers 36, 37, 38, 456 and 611 all stop there and most run through the centre of the city.

Car – From the North you’ll approach Middlesbrough on the A19 before changing onto the A66 until you see the stadium. If you’re coming from the South then you’ll leave the A1(M) at junction 49 and get onto the A168. That will become the A19 and then the A66. Those of you coming from the West will leave the A1(M) at Junction 57 on to the A66(M). Stay on there for about 19 miles and you’ll see the ground.

By Air – Durham Tees Valley International Airport is technically located in Darlington, around thirteen miles from The Riverside. It’s the place you’ll be flying in to if you’re coming to see Middlesbrough from abroad.

Taxi – The amount you’ll pay for a taxi journey depends on where you’re coming from. If you want a taxi from the airport to the ground, for example, then it will cost about £35 and take something in the region of twenty minutes. If you get caught in traffic then it could cost more, however.

Parking Near Riverside Stadium

Parking at the stadium itself on a match day is restricted to permit holders. If you don’t have a permit then the club recommends that you park in the centre of town which is only a short walk away.

• See Available Parking Near Riverside Stadium

Useful Resources

• Parking - Just Park

Riverside Stadium Hotels

Middlesbrough is an ever-growing city, so there are a huge variety of hotels there. We’ve picked some of our favourites for your consideration here, though:

Kingswood Guest House - £50+

Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough - £75+

Holiday Inn Express Middlesbrough Centre Square - £110+

Pubs and bars near riverside stadium.

There aren’t a heap of pubs near to the ground that welcome football fans, but thankfully, the city is very close and awash with a great number of places to get a drink, so you shouldn’t be short of a watering hole or two.

The Navigation

The isaac wilson.

The inside of the Riverside is a little bland, but the facilities are as good as you’d expect for a modern day stadium. There are places on the concourses to buy a bite to eat or a quick drink before the game and wide concourses on which to eat and drink them.

• Programme: £3
• Cup of tea: £2

Hospitality

There are a number of excellent hospitality options at the Riverside Stadium, including the opportunity to sponsor a match in its entirety or hire an executive box for you and your business associates. Here are some of the other options available to you:

• The Archery – Modern hospitality at its finest. The Archery is billed as an experience rather than a package, and it includes a VIP welcome on arrival, live mixologist-crafted drinks, fully inclusive bar including fine wines, spirits and champagnes, Chef’s grazing global charcuterie and seafood boards, Directors’ Box match seating, half-time continental coffees with sweet treats, and as a rather unique addition, exclusive match analysis with Leo Percovich when he’s available.
• The Rockliffe Lounge – The height of prestige in an intimate luxury setting, the Rockliffe Lounge comes with premium matchday car parking, champagne on arrival, four-course à la carte dining experience, fully inclusive bar including fine wines, spirits and champagnes, Directors’ Box match seating for the game, half time and full time refreshments, and even a former player guest appearance.
• The Legends Lounge – You’ll have a three-course carvery meal here, as well as complimentary bar and half-time refreshments. You’ll also find that the occasion is hosted by a club legend who will interview match guests before the game.
• The Fenton Club – With excellent hospitality and panoramic views, your time here will be hosted by Middlesbrough legend Jim Platt. A delicious three-course carvery awaits, along with a private pay bar and half and post-match refreshments.
• Hardwick and Middlehaven – These are the most relaxed of all of the lounges available to you. Both are sports bar styled venues with a private pay bar, casual dress code and a light bite.

Private Hire

The Riverside has a number of excellent private hire options available to you as well as website dedicated specifically to that very purpose. You can hire parts of the ground for conferences, exhibitions or even training events. The stadium is also licensed to host weddings, so if you’d like to have your special day there then you should get in touch with the club directly and they’ll let you know how they can help make it a brilliant occasion for all concerned.

Stadium Tours & Museum

The home and away dressing rooms, referee’s changing room, the tunnel and the side of the pitch are all places you can expect to visit if you go on a tour of the Riverside. You’ll also get to sit in the manager’s seat in the press room and imagine you’re briefing the nation’s press after a big match! You’ll get a chance to have a look in the boardroom as well as sit in the club Director’s box to see what he’ll see on a match day.

Tours are available periodically (there is no set schedule) and cost £10 for an adult and £5 for under-18s. You might even get the chance to meet a Boro first-team player or two. This is much more likely, however, if you book onto one of their VIP tours.

About Middlesbrough

Known affectionately to their fans as Boro, Middlesbrough Football Club was formed in 1876 and was one of the founding members of the Premier League when it was formed in 1992. They played at Ayresome Park for 92 years until it was decided that that ground wouldn’t be able to be redeveloped to get it up to the standard necessary to meet with the demands of the Taylor Report.

The club’s highest finish to date in the top-flight was third, a position they reached in the 1913-1914 season. In their history they have only played outside of the Football League’s top two division for two seasons. Although they have competed in most major competitions, including the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup, the only major trophy that they have won is the League Cup, something that they achieved in 2004. They did reach the final of the UEFA Cup in 2006 but they lost out on the trophy to Spanish side Seville.

Riverside Stadium History

With a capacity of over 34,000, the Riverside isn’t one of the largest grounds in the country but it’s a place with its own character and can create a good atmosphere when the fans are up for it. It took just nine months to build and cost in the region of £16 million. The fans chose the name of the stadium as the Riverside from a list of options that also included Erimus Stadium, Teeside Stadium and Middlehaven Stadium. As well as Middlesbrough matches the ground has also played host to numerous England Under-21 games over the years. It was also one of the venues used for the 2012 London Olympics friendly games.

In 1998 Boro gained promotion back to the Premier League after just one season in what is now called the Championship. The promotion back to the top division also saw the stadium’s capacity expand by 5000 at a cost of £5 million. Interestingly, the Riverside is one of the few stadiums in the country that is self-sustaining after the local council gave the club permission to build a wind turbine next to it. The turbine powers the ground and the club sells any excess to the National Grid.

Future Developments

In August 2015 it was announced that the club was going to work alongside a digital technology company to introduce what it referred to as ‘game-changing’ technology to the stadium. The idea is that stats, news and information will be broadcast to fans throughout the ground, though that hasn’t yet happened at the time of writing.

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Riverside Stadium - Middlesbrough Stadium Guide

Home » England » Riverside Stadium

By Football Tripper Last Updated: September 9, 2021

Table of Contents

Stadium facts.

• Middlesbrough F.C.
• Seating Plan
• Stadium Tours
• Ticket Information

The Riverside Stadium is a purpose built football ground located in the North Yorkshire town of Middlesbrough.

Home to Middlesbrough F.C since first opening in 1995, the 35,742 capacity ground was constructed at a cost of £16 million which has since proven to be a great investment.

Middlesbrough Stadium Guide

Riverside stadium history.

The inaugural fixture at The Riverside stadium was held against Chelsea on 26th August 1995, a team which would later go on to defeat Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup final at Wembley .

Attracting a record crowd of 28,286 fans – the largest in over 14 years, the move to the brand new ground coincided with the club’s return to the Premier League and kick-started an upward trajectory which marked a high-point in the club’s recent history.

Constructed as a direct response to the publication of the Taylor Report in 1990, Middlesbrough, along with Millwall who built The New Den , where one of the first clubs in England to build an all-seater stadium in order to comply with the new legislation.

Previously the club had played at Ayresome Park, however the 1903 created ground was located in a resident area and even after expansion the ground would have struggled to reach a capacity of 20,000.

After being offered a piece of land on the southern bank of the River Tees, east of the city centre, the club hired Taylor Woodrow Construction to build the £16 million pound stadium.

Constructed over a 32 week period beginning in the Autmun of 1994, the 30,000 capacity ground would later directly inspire Derby’s Pride Park Stadium which opened in 1997.

Initially known by the working title of Middlehaven Stadium after the local area fans were given the chance to choose the name during the Boro’s last ever match at Ayresome Park.

The most popular name chosen in the polls was Riverside Stadium, and upon opening the ground was officially referred to as the Cellnet Riverside Stadium after the BT owned company signed a deal worth £3 million lasting until 2002.

Within five years of opening, The Riverside stadium was expanded at the start of the 1998/1999 season after the club gained promotion back to the Premier League. Costing £5 million the corners between the north and south-west stands were filled in, giving the ground its additional capacity of 5,000.

If required in the future Middlesbrough already have planning permission to add another 7,000 seats to the ground which would increase the 34,742 capacity ground to 42,000.

View of Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough F.C. Info

Riverside stadium seating plan.

Below is a seating plan of Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium:

Stand Photos

Middlesbrough’s ground is comprised of the following four sections: North, East, South and West which is the main stand.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.

Matchday Experience

Riverside stadium away end.

Football fans who visit the Riverside stadium as away supporters are allocated tickets within the East Stand which runs for the length of the pitch opposite the main stand which contains the hospitality area and dugouts.

The standard issue of 3,500 tickets for the visiting club are designated towards the south-stand, and could be described as being in the south-east corner.

As is the case for all parts of the stadium with the exception of the west stand, the east stand consists of a single-tier which is essentially divided into an upper and lower section.

As a modern stadium, views throughout the riverside are uninterrupted, and the seats are both comfortable and as spacious as the distance trade-off from the pitch would allow.

After entering the East Stand via the electronic turnstile, fans enter a well-sized concourse which has a plentiful amount of food on offer ranging from the expected sausage rolls and burgers, to the local delicacy, “Parmo in a bun”.

Toilet facilities are more than adequate, and overall Middlesbrough represents a decent day out for football fans across England.

Best Pubs near ground

Around the ground itself there aren’t any independently run pubs which are suitable for football fans, as Brasserie Hudson Quay Bar-Restaurant appears to be the wrong type of place, although we’d be happy to be proven wrong.

For those who arrived by either car or coach this means that drinking inside is the only choice with there being a decent sized bar within the away concourse.

Near to the train station the range of drinking option are much greater with The Isaac Wilson and Dr Browns probably the best choice for the ale connoisseurs amongst us.

Food - Places to eat

Besides the usual range of fast-food options inside the stadium, there is a Mcdonald’s south-east of the ground which always does a roaring trade, as does the Nando’s near to the station.

If you are either travelling from town or the city centre then you are spoiled for choice as there is a slew of independent restaurants and recognisable high-street names like KFC, Subway and Sainsburys.

Middlesbrough Club Shop

With the exception of the official online Store, the club store located at the Riverside is the best place for fans to lay their hands on all the latest Boro merchandise.

The club shop has the following opening times depending on home matches:

Non-Match Weeks

• Monday to Saturday: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
• Sunday: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm

Match Weeks

• Monday to Friday: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
• Saturday Matchday: 9.30 am to 3.00 pm and then 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
• Midweek Matchday: 9.30 am until kick-off

Can you take a stadium Tour?

It doesn’t appear as if Middlesbrough currently offer fans the chance to undertake a stadium tour of Riverside Stadium. If this changes, we’ll be sure to update this section.

How to buy Middlesbrough Tickets

Prices for the Middlesbrough home matches for the Championship are as follows:

North Stand, North East Corner

• Adults: £29.00
• Under 18’s: £16.00
• Over 65’s: £19.00

North West and South West Corner

• Adults: £31.00
• Over 65’s: £23.00

South Stand

• Adults: £26.00
• 18s – 21s: £26.00
• Over 65’s: £21.00

West Stand Upper

• Adults: £33.00
• Over 65’s: £25.00

Family Stand

• Adults: £21.00
• Under 18’s: £10.00
• Over 65’s: £15.00

Tickets can be purchased via the usual channels such as in person at the club shop/ticket office, via the telephone (0844 499 1234) and online courtesy of the club’s official e-ticket store.

How to get to Riverside Stadium

Where is riverside stadium.

The Riverside stadium is located approximately 1 mile north-east of Middlesbrough city centre beyond the A66 dual carriageway on the southern bank of the River Tees.

The stadium’s address for satnav is:

• Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS.

There are a certain amount of spaces at the Riverside Stadium with the club asking vehicles to arrive at least one hour before kick-off with the adjacent Shepherdson Way road becoming pedestrianised from around 2.00pm onwards.

To ensure your parking space please phone the ticket office on 0844 499 1234 – a certain number of spaces are reserved for permit holders and you never know if the club will change their current policy on a match by match basis or not.

Train - Public Transport

Middlesbrough train station is located exactly 0.9 miles west of the Riverside Stadium, with the walking distance likely to take the average fan well under 20 minutes.

To get there by foot, exit the station on Bridge Street East and travel along Dock Street towards the River Tees for the most scenic route to the stadium.

Eventually you will come to the smaller Scott’s Road which will take you all the way to Boro’s ground, even crossing a bridge en route!

Hotels Near Riverside Stadium

The majority of hotels are located back towards Middlesbrough city centre beyond the A66 with The Thistle Hotel and Travelodge being two of the most central examples.

There really isn’t that much choice around the stadium area with the usual suspects strangely absent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at riverside stadium.

English side Middlesbrough play their home matches at Riverside Stadium.

What is the capacity of Riverside Stadium?

As of 2024 Riverside Stadium has an official seating capacity of 34,742 for Football matches.

When was Riverside Stadium opened?

Riverside Stadium officially opened in 1995 and is home to Middlesbrough

What is the postcode for Riverside Stadium?

The postcode for Riverside Stadium is TS3 6RS.

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Riverside Stadium in 2024. Please visit the official website of Middlesbrough for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.

Largest Stadiums in England

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Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough)

The Riverside Stadium is the home ground of Middlesbrough Football Club. The stadium opened in 1995 was the first to be designed to comply with the Taylor Report and replaced the club’s former home of Ayresome Park which had limited expansion capabilities to become an all-seater venue.

The stadium was constructed in just nine months and had an original capacity of 30,000, hosting its first game on the 26th August 1995 as Middlesbrough defeated Chelsea 2-0 in a Premier League match.

Capacity was raised to 35,100 in 1998 but modernisation of the stadium across the years has led to the current capacity of 34,742. The club does have permission to raise this 42,000 should this be necessary.

The Riverside hosted an England international fixture in June 2003, a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifier in which the ‘home’ team won 2-1 thanks to a double from Michael Owen. Several Under-21 matches have also been held there and the Great Britain Olympic football team played a warm up match against Brazil there in July 2012, losing 2-0 as they prepared for the London 2012 Olympics .

A 2021 Rugby League World Cup group match between Tonga and the Cook Islands is due to be played in the stadium in November 2021.

Tenants: Middlesbrough FC ( EFL Championship )

Opened:  1995

Capacity:  34,742

Address: Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS

Tickets at Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough FC tickets are available to purchase online , from the ticket office at the stadium or at the club shop at Captain Cook Square in the town centre.

Location & Travel to Riverside Stadium

The Riverside Stadium is located just over a mile north east of Middlesbrough city centre in the north east of England.

Airport: The closest international airport is Teesside International Airport, approximately 10 miles from Middlesbrough’s city centre. The airport only has a few flights across Europe and the United Kingdom. The larger Newcastle International Airport is approximately 37 miles away and has links to many European destinations, as well as Dubai and the Caribbean, whilst Leeds Bradford Airport is about 60 miles away.

Thinking of going to Middlesbrough? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus: The V1 bus runs from Middlesbrough bus station directly to the stadium, with a journey time of about 10 minutes.

Coach: The Middlesbrough Bus Station is located within the city centre, approximately a 25 minute walk to the stadium or catch bus V1 as above.

National Express  has links to many destinations from Middlesbrough, you can search and book your tickets  here .

Alternatively, Megabus offers cheap travel to Middlesbrough and offers over 10 routes from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. You can search and book your tickets here .

Driving & Parking: The stadium is located not far from the A66, heading past the town centre and follow sign posts. Parking is available at the stadium on matchdays, costing £6 but must be booked in advance here .

Train: Middlesbrough railway station offers direct rail services to Darlington, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester Newcastle, Sunderland and York. The station is located just north of the city centre and it is possible to walk to the stadium in about 15 minutes, alternatively take the V1 bus with a journey time of just 5 minutes.

Thinking of catching a train to Middlesbrough? Search and book your journey through the Trainline here.

Where to stay in Middlesbrough

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Middlesbrough by clicking here .

Riverside Stadium Tour

The MFC Foundation offers tours of the Riverside Stadium, costing £10 for Adults and £5 for Children/Concessions. The tours run on Thursdays and 1 Sunday per month with a VIP tour running during school holidays. Further information is available on the MFC Foundation website here .

Further Information & Events

Middlesbrough FC Official Website

England v Austria – International Friendly

England v Romania – International Friendly

2021 Rugby League World Cup

Last Updated on April 8, 2021 by Sports Tourist

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Riverside Stadium – stadium description

Riverside Stadium was built in the post-Taylor-Report era, released as crucial new stadium safety guidelines in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. The document outlined measures to be implemented, primarily installation of individual seats, which prompted mass conversions and expansions to meet ticket demand. With the redevelopment of century-old Ayresome Park considered unviable, Middlesbrough FC decided to relocate to a new ground.

Where did Middlesbrough play before Riverside Stadium?

Middlesbrough FC spent almost all of the 20th century at Ayresome Park, built back in mid-1903. The ground stood roughly 2.4 km (1.5 miles) south-west of the Riverside, in a housing area. This meant it wasn't possible to expand sufficiently in the post-Taylor era, beyond its closing capacity of 26,667 people. Once the club stopped using it even for training purposes, Ayresome Park was demolished in 1997 and replaced by housing.

Where is Riverside Stadium?

Geographically closer to the city's centre, the new stadium was located in an industrial area, within the largely vacant Tees docks. The deteriorated site was offered by the Teesside Development Corporation and approved by the local council. Construction began in fall of 1994 and took impressively little time, less than 9 months. Opening game against Chelsea drew over 28,000 people, which was already the highest turnout in 14 years. Demand proved high enough to prompt expansion just 3 years into the stadium's existence. Addition of corner sections brought the capacity up to roughly 35,000.

Who owns Riverside Stadium?

While the land and necessary approvals required cooperation from both public and private entities, the stadium is owned privately by Middlesbrough FC, who also financed construction of Riverside Stadium. However, the project – being the largest new stadium opened in England post WWII – also utilised public funding for anciliary infrastructure, primarily the road network.

When was Riverside Stadium modernised?

Although the first expansion took place just 3 years after opening, in 1998, corner stands offered the same standard as the initial construction. It wasn't until 2016's return to Premier League that the stadium proved somewhat aged, following over 20 years in operation.

The stadium received a brand new LED floodlighting system, a new press section with improved working area for journalists, as well as wheelchair platforms to match growing push for accessibility of English stadia. The hospitality facilities were also upgraded, while the south stand received two new TV studios.

The north stand, along the Teesside, is referred to by fans as the New Holgate End, in honour of the famous terrace at Ayresome Park, where generations of supporters used to stand. The west side is by far the largest in terms of volume, not only comprising bulk of matchday facilities but also offering two tiers of seating rather than one.

Riverside Stadium hasn't only been home to Middlesbrough FC games but also internationals. During reconstruction of Wembley, for example, the national team played here against Slovakia before Euro 2004, setting the stadium's attendance record.

How Riverside Stadium compares to other Championship venues?

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26.06.2018 Safe standing: Government to rethink all-seating

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Middlesbrough – Riverside Stadium

The Riverside Stadium is all seater, with a capacity of 35,100.

The stadium opened in 1995, replacing Middlesbrough’s former home at Ayresome Park. The new stadium had a build cost of a mere £16 million and was completed within 8 months. It was the first ground specifically designed to comply with the 1990 Taylor Report, requiring all top-flight stadia to be all seater.

In 2005, the club erected the old Ayresome Park gates outside the Riverside Stadium as a new entrance.

Away supporters are housed in the South Stand, behind the goal, which is shared with home supporters.

How to get to the Riverside Stadium

Stadium key facts, where to park, away friendly pubs near the riverside stadium, hotels near the riverside stadium, what have other away fans said about their trip to the riverside stadium, riverside stadium history, riverside stadium map, getting tickets for middlesbrough football club, riverside stadium tour, riverside stadium reviews, riverside stadium faq’s, when was riverside stadium built, who owns riverside stadium, what is the capacity at riverside stadium, what is riverside stadium away end capacity, which is the away end at riverside stadium, riverside stadium seating, riverside stadium wikipedia, events at riverside stadium.

The address of the Riverside Stadium, for satnav purposes, is Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS3 6RS.

Drivers arriving from the North are advised to use the A1(M), following signage for Darlington / A66(M). At the first roundabout, take the first exit onto Bridge Road towards Darlington, passing through 4 roundabouts. At the next, take the second exit, remaining on the A66. Follow signage for the Riverside Stadium which is located on the left.

Away fans driving from the South are advised to follow the A1(M) as far as junction 49, exiting towards the A168/ A19. Join the eastbound A66 towards Middlesbrough town centre and follow signage to the stadium. The map below is useful for directions from all UK locations and in locating suitable parking and recommended away friendly pubs.

The main Middlesbrough station is situated on Albert Road, within a mile of the ground, a walk of 10-15 minutes. On leaving the station, turn left into Zetland Road and left again into Exchange Place. At the crossroads (about 100 yards) turn right into Bridge Street and follow it for some 300 yards.

Turn right into Windward Way, going straight on at the roundabout into Dockside Road. The stadium is on the left, just after the roundabout. Click here to check the current train timetables

The nearest airport is Durham Tees Valley Airport, some 10 miles west of Middlesbrough and a short bus (service 20) or taxi ride from the city centre. The airport is serviced by a number of discount airlines, so that it is often cheaper to fly to Middlesbrough than travelling by rail or bus. Click here to check the current flight times

There are several taxi companies in Middlesbrough that can take you to and from the stadium. You can always prebook a private hire taxi, or hail a black cab on any highway.

Calling all Middlesbrough Taxi Companies – Why not advertise your company here?.

Many away fans have suggested using the long-stay car parks in the city centre, about a 15-20 minute walk to the ground.

Another alternative is to follow signs for “away coaches” from the A66 as this route leads past several reasonably priced car parks along the river. However, leaving these car parks after the match can take up to an hour.

Away friendly pubs near the stadium are virtually non-existent. Several visiting fans have noted The Bridge pub on Bridge Street East as one to avoid. Most visitors recommended the city centre for a pre-match drink.

Several pubs in this area have been described as “OK,” but Doctor Brown’s on Corporation road seems a firm favourite with visiting supporters. A 10 minute walk from the stadium, the pub serves real ales, offers Sky TV and generally has a genial mix of home and away fans. Inside the ground, reasonably priced alcohol is served at the rear of the South Stand.

The Best Western Middlesbrough (pictured, left), Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 2PA is a small, well-designed hotel, within a mile of Middlesbrough city centre. It offers a mixture of old world charm and modern facilities. Guest reviews have been consistently good, remarking upon quality of service and value for money. Free on-site parking is available.

A little further afield, Metro Inns Teesside, North Tees Industrial Estate, Stockton on Tees TS18 2RT, about 4 miles from the stadium, offers budget accommodation suitable for a one night stay. Guest reviews have been excellent, noting a friendly welcome and clean, modern facilities. Free on-site parking is available.

The majority of visiting fans have been impressed by the looks of the Riverside Stadium from the outside, but found its interior rather bland. There have been few complaints about the seating in the South Stand, which offers ample leg room and an excellent view of play.

However, many visitors have been disappointed by the lack of atmosphere within the ground. Most away fans have described the facilities as adequate, with a fair range of food and drink available, though the narrow concourse leads to overcrowding at half-time.

Following the Taylor Report, the Riverside Stadium was the first significant contemporary English stadium to be built. It took the place of the former Ayresome Park, which was enclosed by terraced homes and had little room to expand.

The Riverside Stadium first hosted a match on August 26, 1995, between Middlesbrough and Chelsea (2-0).

The stadium was extended with an extra 5,000 seats in 1998. Middlesbrough has already received planning clearance for a 7,000-seat expansion but will wait until demand warrants it.

As a nod to the club’s past, the club erected the old Ayresome Park gates in front of the Riverside Stadium in 2005.

Middlesbrough FC tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at +44 (0) 844 499 1234, in person at the stadium’s Ticket Office, or at the MFC store in Middlesbrough’s town centre.

On the day of the match, tickets can also be purchased at the ticket office. Middlesbrough’s Premier League attendance has increased dramatically, yet tickets for most games are still easily accessible.

Middlesbrough’s home matches are divided into two pricing groups. Category B tickets, which are the most affordable, range from £30.00 for a seat behind the goal or on the lower side to £34.00 for an upper-tier seat in the main stand. Category A tickets range in price from £35.00 to £39.00.

First time we’ve been to this stadium and I was impressed. Excellent facilities and reasonable price for soft drinks. Easy access into and out of stadium.

Went to a concert here and was maxim capacity. Very well organised excellent staff friendly and helpful. Loads of toilet facilities which is normally an issue at large events. Lots of not badly priced food and drink options and fantastic concert. Would go again

Riverside Stadium was built on the 26th of August 1995.

Middlesbrough Football Club is the owner of Riverside Stadium.

The capacity at Riverside Stadium is 34,742.

The away end at Riverside Stadium has a capacity of around 3,500.

At Riverside Stadium one half of the East Stand, away fans are housed (towards the South-East corner)

The Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, North East England, is a conference and events site. They provide high-quality conference facilities, as well as training and meeting rooms equipped with the most up-to-date audio-visual technology. Their facilities are backed up by a full-service event management team and technical know-how.

Their conference facilities in the North East include a customised room that can seat up to 220 people theatre style or 200 people banquet style. There are also audio-visual systems, wireless Internet connection, air conditioning, and technical support in the rooms.

The venue has a number of high-quality training, meeting, break-out, syndicate, and seminar rooms that can be rented alone or as part of a larger conference. These rooms also come with great presentation and IT equipment, such as computers, projection systems, and wi-fi connectivity, all of which are included in the room hire.

Thank you for looking through our Riverside Stadium guide. We hope it had everything you needed.

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Torpedo Stadium: A living history of Soviet soccer

Renovation will open a new chapter in the history of Streltsov Stadium. For the fans, however, this place will always be linked with the one man who was and remains a legend of Soviet soccer, Eduard Streltsov. Source: Anton Denisov / RIA Novosti

Torpedo Stadium—Moscow’s oldest—will soon be closed for renovation. This field, which has been owned by businessman Mikhail Prokhorov ’s ONEXIM Group since 2007, is to be transformed into a modern sports complex where, in addition to a covered stadium, there are plans to build children’s sports schools and a museum of Russian soccer.

The building may not turn out to be as big as the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (which the Russian billionaire built for his NBA team, the Brooklyn Nets ), but Torpedo fans have already expressed their concerns about the new building. The original plan was to completely demolish the stadium and develop the site as exclusive housing; however, when thousands of supporters signed a petition against the demolition of the stadium, the owners decided to preserve the sports facility.

Streltsov , Russia’s Pelè in the gulag

Torpedo Stadium is unique, in a way. There are hardly any top-level spectacles here, as the home team plays in the second soccer division. Moreover, since August 2013, the Torpedo team has had to move: The club began playing its home games in the Moscow suburb of Ramenskoye, due to high rent.

Meanwhile, the stadium on Vostochnaya Street has become a favorite training ground for the Russian national soccer team, and, in August, the two best American football teams in Russia— Black Storm and the Moscow Patriots —played each other on the local field.

The Streltsov Torpedo Stadium is not located in the most picturesque of areas: Factory chimneys and brick walls stand alongside typical dismal Soviet-era buildings. It was here that, in 1924, the workers of the ZIL car factory started the Torpedo club.

Torpedo has always been a local soccer team. The car makers were nowhere near as popular as Spartak, which enjoyed national fame, and the black-and-whites could not boast of government patronage, as Dynamo could. In some ways, this is why the residents of Moscow’s Avtozavodsky District are so devoted to their club, despite the fact that, in the 2000s, the team did not experience the best of times.

Officials downplay panic over Russia’s soccer stadiums

Problems with finance mean the club has had to rely on young players it has developed itself, and Torpedo has not been able to get back into the Premier League for the last seven years. In a world of multi-million-dollar soccer transfers, Torpedo looks like a dinosaur that has somehow managed to survive.

Torpedo Stadium has never known the glory of Luzhniki, which served as the main stadium of the 1980 Olympics and the venue for the 2008 Champions League final. The field on Vostochnaya Street has never been Moscow’s main stadium, but, for Torpedo supporters, it is a shrine. This is where Eduard Streltsov—probably the best soccer players in Soviet history, if we leave aside the great Dynamo goalkeeper Lev Yashin—played and caught fans’ imagination.

Streltsov’s story is like a Hollywood film. At the age of 16, the wunderkind from a working-class suburb of Moscow became Torpedo’s main forward; at 17, he made a triumphant debut for the Soviet national team, scoring a hat trick in his first two games; at 18, he was the top goal-scorer in the Soviet league. Tall and strong, and with a broad grin, the young man caught everyone’s attention, on the field and off it.

His contemporaries recall that Streltsov played almost like a genius: His faultless technique, combined with his superb ability to read the game, enabled him to pull off real masterpieces of soccer, time and again. In 1956, the 19-year-old Streltsov was the key player on the Soviet team at the Melbourne Olympics, where the Soviet soccer players won gold for the first time in team history.

“He seemed to have the ball on a lead, and his ball control could get him past two or three defenders,” said defender Vladimir Ponomarev, Streltsov’s teammate on the Soviet national team, in an interview with Sovetsky Sport. “He had an exceptional soccer mind. He could anticipate and work out how the attack would develop, like a computer—several moves ahead, automatically, in an instant.”

The 1958 world championship should have been a golden moment for the Russian king of soccer, but Streltsov did not get to meet the other king of soccer—Brazil’s Pele—on the Swedish field. On June 15, while the Soviet team was losing 2-0 to Brazil, Streltsov was being interrogated by investigators at Moscow’s Butyrka prison. He had been arrested on May 27, on suspicion of rape during a party at a dacha not far from the Tarasovka sports center, where the Soviet team was preparing for the tournament. Streltsov was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Arguments about how just the court’s decision was continue to this day. Some say Streltsov’s imprisonment was revenge by the KGB for his refusal to transfer to the Dynamo club, which was under the control of the special services; others link the sportsman’s drama to his refusal to marry the daughter of the iron lady of the Soviet government, the influential Yekaterina Furtseva. Doubt has been cast on many of the circumstances of that fateful night. It is likely that the truth of this story will never be known, but, in spite of everything, Streltsov will always be an idol to Torpedo fans.

Rugby in Russia: Bringing the gentleman’s game to the people

Streltsov was given early release in 1963, and, after another two years, he was allowed to return to top-level soccer. At the age of 28, Streltsov took to the field again in a black-and-white Torpedo uniform. Even after six years in prison, there was no getting away from his talent: The powerful forward again became the leader of the Torpedo front line, taking his team to the championship in 1965.

The secret of Streltsov’s popularity was not just that he played like a genius. Supporters saw him as one of their own: While he was a professional sportsman, he continued to work at the factory and live in an ordinary apartment not far from the stadium. After Streltsov’s death (he died from lung cancer in 1990), officials decided to put up a monument to the soccer player by the entrance to the field; since 1997, the stadium itself has borne his name.

Renovation will open a new chapter in the history of Streltsov Stadium. Only time will tell to what extent it will preserve its inimitable atmosphere. For the fans, however, this place will always be linked with the one man who was and remains a legend of Soviet soccer.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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Residence #45 | 'RZD Arena' Lokomotiv Moscow

A reconstructed palace for Lokomotiv Moscow and solely a home for football the RZD Arena is our latest "Residence' stopping point. Taking in the surrounding football scenes of Russia it's a place that, while it doesn't host a World Cup fixture, still stands strong in the landscape of the good game in Moscow.

This two tiered stadium has a truly bespoke flavour and could quite easily be picked up and re-placed in South America. The Lokomotiv Moscow popping colours of red and green help that, but the corrugated roofs that separate each tier adds in a lot of character. While the outside of this stadium is concrete as well as colossal, it stands tall having been home to the club since 1966. Aesthetically playing to its strengths and from commentary box to the exterior there are references to the 'Lokomotiv' nature of a side that was formed from the rail working community.

Housing 30,000 fans, it's one that doesn't scale to FIFA capacity standards however in terms of design, sheer presence and the culture that surrounds the game, it has everything else needed for one of the biggest clubs in Russian football to call home. No running track around the pitch, there is however an almost coliseum feel thanks to the gap between the pitch and the front row for the fans. An underground level is placed pitch side and like a bull fighting ring, everything about this stadium calls for an event.

Showing the extended football family that sits outside those stadiums that will host World Cup fixtures, this stadium has everything you'd want to be able to call your sides home. Huge character, an independent feel and still some aged edges it's conducive for an exciting atmosphere. Tick it off one day, it's well worth it. Grabbing a cultured and creative look at Russian football culture, pick up '32/12' a SoccerBible World Cup special here .

SoccerBible '32/12' World Cup Special store.soccerbible.com

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Where to watch English Football? (Stoke v Middlesbrough) - Moscow Forum

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Where to watch English Football? (Stoke v Middlesbrough)

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I was wondering would anyone have any suggestion where it might be possible to watch the English Championship this Saturday the 3rd of Nov kick 8.30pm?

maybe you can ask them: https://www.ligapap.ru/kopiya-glavnaya-1

There must be English pubs - there are enough expats after all

There are...thus the initial look up an ex-pat site...BUT, again, just try typing into Goggle what I suggested...very simple...

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Missouri targets $250M renovation of Memorial Stadium by 2026

• Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri is planning a $250 million renovation of Memorial Stadium.

The Memorial Stadium Improvements Project, expected to be completed by the 2026 season, will further enclose the north end of the stadium and add a variety of new premium seating options. The field-level Bunker Club in the south end zone will be converted to a team recruiting center, with upgrades to restrooms, concessions and the sound system among other changes.

The university's Board of Curators unanimously approved the hiring of Kansas City architecture firm DLR Group on Wednesday to handle the project.

The Tigers have played in Memorial Stadium since 1926.

"We are competing in a dynamic, highly ambitious environment in intercollegiate athletics and across the totality of higher education," Board Chair Robin Wenneker said. "We are momentum investing in Memorial Stadium to elevate Mizzou's national brand and deliver a world-class facility that creates year-round connections for Tiger Nation within the campus, the community and the state of Missouri. We want to be pace setters and establish the new standard for success."

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