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England fans’ match day guide to Hampden Park: Directions, bars and hotels

England fans travel up north of the border to watch their country take on the old enemy, Scotland, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the oldest international fixture, at Hampden Park.

With both teams in top form, each sitting top of their respective Euro 2024 qualifying groups, it will surely be a thrilling encounter. It is one of their shortest away trips for England fans, but one that many will make.

But where are the best places to visit before and after the match?

How England fans can get to Hampden Park

Only five minutes from Kings Park and Mount Florida train stations, rail is probably one of the easier ways to get to the venue, with both trains running from Glasgow Central.

Driving is not advised, as parking near the stadium is nearly impossible, as spaces are only reserved for residents, local businesses and blue sticker holders. However, there is an official stadium car park, albeit with limited space, and you must have a car park pass to enter it.

It is a sign posted near the stadium itself, so if you are lucky enough to have a car park pass, you will know where to go.

Bus is another option for fans, with plenty of routes serving the area. First, Glasgow operates the following routes that go to and from the city centre. They are 5, 6, 7, 7A, 31, 34, and 90.

There is always the option of walking to the stadium, and if you are spending some time in the city centre before, having a few drinks and soaking in the atmosphere at one of Glasgow's many bars, it will take you roughly 45-50 minutes to get there on foot.

  • Starting on South Frederick Street,
  • Turn left onto Ingram Street, then turn right onto Glassford Street.
  • From there, continue onto Stockwell Street, then onto Gorbals Street.
  • A brief walk will bring you to Cathcart Road, and then continue onto Aikenhead Road.
  • Turn left towards Bolivar Terrace, then right onto the same road.
  • Another few minutes walk until you turn right onto Somerville Drive.

If you want to travel in style or don't fancy the long trip from somewhere like London, there is always the option to travel by Air.

Glasgow Airport currently has 28 flights daily from London, while the First 500 shuttle bus brings people to Glasgow city centre every 10 minutes.

The other airport that can be used is Prestwick Airport, which has its own train station. It links up with Glasgow Central Station, and takes around 45 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre.

Hotels near Hampden Park

 

Hampden Park
Photo by Icon Sport

Some England fans may want to make the most of their visit to Scotland, and may not want to make it a day trip. If so, there are plenty of hotels in Glasgow and near Hampden Park.

Here are just a few that would be at reasonable prices

  • If you fancy getting home after the match quickly and back to your hotel, then the Crosshill House is one of the closest accommodations you can book. It is only 860m from the stadium. It is rated as four stars, but it is one of the more expensive places to stay, with room prices starting at £99
  • Holiday Inn Express Glasgow is just 3.4km from Hampden Park and is rated as four stars, and with rooms from £89 a night, it could be good value. Since there is not much of a distance to the stadium, you could save on travelling expenses.
  • A little bit further away, but a bit cheaper, is ibis budget Glasgow. It is rated 3 and a half stars and room prices are as low as £58. It is only 3.5km from Hampden Park, so travelling costs wouldn't be an issue.

As mentioned, there are hundreds more other places England fans can stay in Glasgow, near the stadium, and a quick Google search will help in that regard.

Where is a good to eat and drink near Hampden Park for England fans?

England Fans
Photo by Icon Sport

There is no shortage of restaurants, bars and pubs for fans to find food and drink when visiting Glasgow. There are some great options near Hampden Park as well.

Try The Allison Arms for a cosy pub experience or The Butterfly and The Pig South for delicious food and drinks.

Nearer the stadium, the pop-up area got the go-ahead for a drinks licence back in June 2023. It is a supposed fan zone for fans who could not get match tickets.

It will be located in the ‘Purple Car Park', opposite the Toryglen Regional Centre on Aitkenhead Road.

Where do the England fans sit in Hampden?

ICONSPORT sipausa 43298476 1
Photo by Icon Sport

Away fans are placed in The West Stand of the stadium. The South Stand end of the section of Hampden Park is where you will see the English fans.

As expected, England sold out their allocation, so there are no tickets for this match on general sale. But for those who were lucky enough to get a ticket, they can collect theirs at the Voco Grand Central Hotel.

Tickets are available for collection from Monday, 11 September, from 10am until 8pm, and Tuesday, 12 September, from 10am until 6.45pm.

Gates for the away section open at 6.15pm, while large bags are not permitted to enter the stadium.

The last five meetings between Scotland and England in Scotland

  • May 23th, 1987 – Scotland v England – 0-0.  Attendance: 64,713 (Hampden Park)
  • May 27th, 1989 – Scotland v England – 0-2,Waddle (20th), Bull (82th) Attendance: 63, 282 (Hampden Park)
  • Nov 13th, 1999 – Scotland v England – 0-2, Scholes (21st, 42nd) Attendance: 50,132 (Hampden Park)
  • Nov 18th, 2014 – Scotland v England – 1-3  Robertson (83rd) Oxlade-Chamberlain (32nd), Rooney (47th, 85th) Attendance: 49,526 (Celtic Park)
  • Jun 10th, 2017 – Scotland v England – 2-2 Griffiths (87th, 90th) Oxlade-Chamberlain (70th) Kane (90th) Attendance: 48,520 (Hampden Park)
England fans’ match day guide to Hampden Park: Directions, bars and hotels

Philip O'Rourke

Philip O Rourke is a Dublin-based journalist and author of Forgotten Football Clubs, 50 Clubs Around the World. He appears on the Forgotten Football Clubs podcast and, in his spare time, travels around Europe to different football stadiums, trying to watch as many different clubs as he can.

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