Last Update:
August 7, 2024
Chelsea’s stadium Stamford Bridge is quite impressive looking, having had three new stands built since the mid-1990s.
The developers have taken advantage of the fact that the ‘old’ Stamford Bridge was oval shaped and have stretched the new stands right around the ground ‘filling in’ the corners so that the stadium is totally enclosed.
The latest addition to the Chelsea ground is the attractive West Stand, which was opened in 2001. Located on one side of the pitch, it is a superb three-tiered affair having a row of executive boxes running across its middle, the type of which you are able to sit outside. Its roof is virtually transparent, allowing more light to reach the pitch and gives it a unique look.
Opposite is the older East Stand. Opened in 1973 this towering stand is also three-tiered and has the team dugouts situated at its front.
Both ends are smaller being two-tiered. One of these is the Matthew Harding Stand, named in memory of the man who did so much to transform the club.
Opposite is the Shed End which has a Police Control Box suspended below its roof. There are two large video screens located in opposite corners of the stadium. Outside the ground, behind the West Stand is a statue of former playing legend, Peter Osgood.
Chelsea are one of only a few clubs who have played at the same stadium since they were formed. Chelsea FC came into being in 1905 in a pub in Fulham Road just across from what is now Stamford Bridge. The club have played at on the Stamford Bridge ever since. Interestingly, the pub where the club were formed still exists and is now called the Butcher’s Hook.
Stamford Bridge actually predates Chelsea football club; the Blues were founded with the intention of playing their games at Stamford Bridge and that has been the case since 1905.
What is Stamford Bridge famous for?
The original construction was a 100,000 capacity bowl stadium with every inch exposed to the elements as there was no roof at all. Come 1930, work started on the very first roof which, along was seating, was put on what would become known as the Shed End. Further development of that nature followed at the end of the thirties.
Are Chelsea knocking down Stamford Bridge?
There were plans to revamp the entire stadium some thirty to forty years later but finances ran dry meaning the entire project wasn’t completed. Question marks over the long-term future of Chelsea’s tenancy at Stamford Bridge remained through to the nineties with little development taking place. The only modern day changes have been additions of things like shops, restaurants and a hotel. Any hope of growing the capacity is pinned on a new stadium.
Plans for a Chelsea stadium redevelopment were first floated with some serious weight behind them back in 2017. At this time the revamped 60,000 capacity ground was granted planning permission with a demolition and rebuild the route likely to be followed. Fast forward a few years and that planning had expired with no noteworthy work undertaken.
That brings us to the current day – September 2023 – and a new look Chelsea ground is very much near the top of the club’s priority list – along with the squad and performances on the pitch, of course.
Todd Boehly, the club owner, is the driving force of the latest talks, with a reported £1.5bn project in mind, albeit the plans are currently a tad on the loose side. Right now, the likely scenario is still a knock down and re-build from a blank canvas of sorts. What though, will the new ground look like?
What will the new Chelsea stadium look like?
Well, firstly, alongside the Chelsea stadium development, the club are looking to purchase over an acre of land that sits next door. This is likely to be used to add to the ‘experience’ for fans with additional food and drink offerings, retail outlets and fanzone type entertainment. The LA Dodgers, a well known baseball side in the States, have undergone a similar process in recent years with one of the key persons behind that project – Janet Marie Smith – involved with the Chelsea ground revamp.
As for what the stadium itself will look like, well, we just don’t know. Seemingly, nor do the club. 2030 is the big year though. Apparently.
Where are the away fans at Stamford Bridge?
Away fans are located on one side of the Shed End lower tier (towards the East Stand side), where the normal allocation for league games is 3,000 tickets.
For cup games, the whole of the Shed End can be allocated. The view from this area of the ground is pretty good and the refreshment areas are modern looking.
There are televisions on the concourses, showing amongst other things at half time, highlights from the first half. Food on offer includes hot dogs, burgers and pies while alcohol is served before kick off and throughout the first half.
On the whole, fans tend to find Stamford Bridge a pleasurable day out. There is a good atmosphere within the ground and even though there isn’t a lot of space between the home and away fan sections, it’s not particularly intimidating. The stewards are also pretty laid back.
A number of away fans drink in the pubs around the Earl’s Court area, which is only a couple of tube stops away from Fulham Broadway station. The Courtfield Tavern, which is almost opposite the main entrance to Earls Court Tube Station, is a particular favourite with away supporters.
Other pubs for away fans near Stamford Bridge include:
- The Goose – 248 North End Rd, London SW6 1NL
- The Blackbird – 209, Road, London SW5 9AN
- Earl’s Court Tavern – 123 Earls Ct Rd, London SW5 9RL
Leave the M25 at Junction 15 and take the M4 towards London, which then becomes the A4. Carry on over the Hammersmith flyover and after a further one and half miles, take the Earls Court turning (A3220). Continue past Earls Court station and down the one way system until you reach the junction with Fulham Road (A304). At this junction, turn right at the traffic lights and after about half a mile, you will see the ground on your right.
A number of local resident schemes are in operation around the stadium, so you may well end up having to park some way from the ground itself. What parking there is available in the local area is rather pricey too. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Stamford Bridge via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SW6 1HS
What is the best tube station for Stamford Bridge?
The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway which is on the District Line. Take a tube to Earls Court and if necessary, change for a Wimbledon bound tube.
What is the best overground station for Stamford Bridge?
The nearest overground train station is West Brompton, which is served by trains from Clapham Junction (which is in turn served by trains from London Waterloo and Victoria stations). It is around a 15-minute walk to the ground from West Brompton station.
The best known club song associated with Chelsea is ‘Blue is the colour’.
Below is a compilation of Chelsea fan songs from the 2023/24 season.
As with most clubs nowadays, the ticket pricing at Chelsea’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, is tiered depending on the ‘grade’ of the game you’re watching and the area of the stadium you sit in.
The grades go from Category AA-C. Ticket prices for Category AA matches for the 2023/24 season are as follows:
Adults: £25-76
Seniors: £17-27.50
Juniors: £17-27.50
A full breakdown of the current pricing can be found on the official Chelsea website.
Stamford Gate is the best entrance to use if your seats are located on the East Side of the stadium and if you want to get to the car park, hotels, Drop Off point, Stamford Gate Shop, Frankie’s, 1905 Club or security suite.
If you’re looking for the Megastore or Ticket office, use the walkway outside the Shed End.
Britannia Gate is the closest entrance to Fulham Broadway tube station and the bus stop if you’re heading into the centre of the city.
You’ll find Bovril Gate between Stamford Gate and Britannia Gate, but it’s worth remembering this entrance is only open on a match days.
- Official Programme: £4
Chelsea vs Tottenham rivalry: We probably don’t need to tell you that Tottenham’s biggest grudge match is against Arsenal. That does not for one minute mean that Chelsea and Spurs don’t hate each other though; they do. The obvious connection is that both clubs are London based but their rivalry is more complex than that. It all began with the 1967 FA Cup Final before Tottenham, a relegation candidate themselves, played a major role in the Blues relegation in 1975. It’s been a fierce match ever since with the Battle of Stamford Bridge the best recent example of their dislike; that game saw Tottenham travel to the Chelsea stadium in a title race. Chelsea came from 2-0 down to ensure Leicester were named Champions.
Chelsea vs Arsenal rivalry: Like the Spurs rivalry, Arsenal have bigger fish to fry but trips to Chelsea’s ground aren’t just another game. Chelsea and Arsenal have long been the biggest clubs in London, which brings spice naturally but the hatred intensified in the 2000s as Jose Mourinho took the Blues back to the top of English football. The controversial transfer of Ashley Cole and Mourinho vs Arsenal Wenger have added further smoke to the fire in recent times.
Chelsea vs Liverpool rivalry: Chelsea’s ground and Liverpool’s Anfield stadium might be a four-hour drive apart but there is little love lost between the duo. It’s another rivalry that Mourinho has played a role in creating. The two were regularly meeting as big clubs but when the Portuguese elevated Chelsea to true elite status. There have been a few events that have whipped this game into one of the biggest rivalry’s in the Premier League and none are more significant than Luis Garcia’s ghost goal in 2005.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Stamford Bridge offers football fans a host of different tour options ranging from a “classic” stadium tour through to matchday tours and legend tours with the majority coming twinned with the addition of access to the Chelsea museum.
The tours vary in price and your best bet is to check out the full tour options directly:
Stadium Tours & Museum | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club (chelseafc.com)
Record Attendance:
82,905 v Arsenal
Division 1, October 12th, 1935.
Modern All Seated Attendance Record:
42,328 v Newcastle United
Premier League, December 4th, 2002.
Average Attendance:
2022-23: 40,002 (Premier League)
2021-2022: 39,452 (Premier League)
2020-2021: N/A – Covid
2019-2020: 40,563 (Premier League)
2018-2019: 40,437 (Premier League)
2017-2018: 41,282 (Premier League)
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Special thanks to:
Owen Pavey for providing the ground layout diagram and stadium photos.
Haydn Gleed for providing the YouTube video of Stamford Bridge.
The video of the Stamford Bridge Tour and Museum was produced by Raidin and is made publicly available via YouTube.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Premier League
Wedenesday 4th December 2019, 7.30pm
Martin H. (Aston Villa)
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
Wednesday 3rd April 2019, 8pm
Andrew Walker (Brighton)
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Premier League
Saturday 12th January 2019, 5.30pm
Ian (Newcastle United)
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Premier League
Saturday 12th January 2019, 5.30pm
Andy Wilkins (Neutral)
Chelsea v Bournemouth
League Cup Quarter Final
Wednesday 19th December 2018, 7.45pm
Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth)
Liverpool v Chelsea
League Cup 3rd Round
Wednesday 26th September 2018, 7.45pm
Steve Allen (Chelsea)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
I have just started following Chelsea away again, after years of being unable to and Anfield is a ground that I've always been keen to visit.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I came on an official coach organised by the club. Getting closer to the ground the traffic got worse, this is to be expected though. The coach was able to park a couple of minutes walk away from the ground and in a place very convenient for the away end.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Unfortunately, the traffic was pretty bad all the way from London, so when we arrived I had to head straight to the ground. I didn't really have any interaction with the home fans but everybody seemed in a jovial mood and there was no trouble whatsoever.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
As I said earlier, I've always wanted to visit this ground and I wasn't disappointed. It looks amazing. The away end was fine, I was close to the pitch just behind the goal and the view was unobstructed. There wasn't much legroom between the rows but it wasn't overly uncomfortable. The rest of the ground looked great too, the new main stand looked really impressive.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was great, I was struck by how loud it was inside the ground when either set of supporters were cheering. I was a little envious, although we're very passionate at Stamford Bridge, we don't get an atmosphere on that kind of level. The stewards were friendly, they were also very efficient, they searched everybody thoroughly, but were quick about it, so nobody was really held up. It was a little cramped on the concourse but the queues for the refreshments and toilets moved pretty quickly. I bought a hot dog and a coke, pretty bog standard football food, but at £6 for both, it was a lot cheaper than I'm used to paying.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting to the coach was no problem. The Liverpool fans still seemed in good spirits even though they had lost and again there was no trouble. The traffic out of Liverpool was extremely slow, though, funnily enough, it never seems to bother me when we've won.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
If I'm honest, I like Anfield a lot more than I think an away fan should. It's steeped in history and you can tell the fans are extremely passionate about their football. It made for a great atmosphere. Friendly staff, adequate facilities and a good view of the match, definitely one of the better away days (although granted, I haven't been on that many recently). I am looking forward to returning later in the season for the league match.
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Premier League
Saturday 15th September 2018, 3pm
Mike Cochrane (Cardiff City)
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Premier League
Saturday 15th September 2018, 3pm
David (Cardiff City)
Chelsea U18's v Arsenal U18's
FA Youth Cup Final, 1st Leg
Friday, 27th February 2018, 7:45pm
Paul R (Arsenal fan)
Why were you looking forward to going to Stamford Bridge?
Arsenal had made the FA Youth Cup Final. I jumped at the chance to go to a London away ground as I would not be able to that for the adult team due to Arsenal's away ticketing system.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the tube to Fulham Broadway easily but when getting to the ground, the away gate was closed so I had to go through the home gate to get to the outside. There were no signs telling you where the away end was around the ground. After asking three staff (all of whom seemed to have no idea where the away end was), I eventually stumbled upon it.
What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I didn't have much interaction with the home fans, which surprised me as I was wearing colours.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then the other sides of Stamford Bridge?
The outside of Stamford Bridge looks fairly modern and neat. But don't be fooled, it just disguises the state of the ground inside. When you enter, you go into an open concourse where you can see the pitch. Of course as a result it means you can't get a beer. The away end in the shed seemed fairly shallow compared with the rest of the ground. It really looked lopsided, particularly with that Main Stand (who wants to be sat next to a tall wall that appears to block your view?)
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..:
The facilities are basic at best but the ground is very run down. The roof was leaking onto the speakers and then to the seats, there was some black substance which I assume was oil and dust (how do you get dust on something that's out in the open?!) on the seats, no leg room and if one was so inclined one could easily jump the barrier as it was so low. But I did have the advantage of being very close to the pitch so one could make comments about the opposition and you knew they could hear you.
We only had around 700 fans in the shed away end and Chelsea had the whole of the lower tier of the Main Stand. The Chelsea fans were very quiet during the game and we were able to outsing them all throughout. We only heard a few high pitched sounds from them after they had scored. Chelsea had given them all free flags but not many took advantage of them. The stewards appeared intimidating at first given there was a disproportionately high number for the amount of away fans present. But they were actually good stewards as they let us stand where we wanted and only intervened when someone stood on the seats, which was understandable given they were plastic and fairly flimsy.
Arsenal started well and scored the first goal. A very good defensive display from Arsenal up until they equalised then it just fell apart and Chelsea won the first leg 3-1.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was fairly hard getting away as the main road was still open so everyone had to walk on the pavement. When you tried to get in through the main entrance in the shopping centre, it was blocked off and the staff didn't really tell you how to get in. Eventually, I entered from the other entrance outside against the flow of traffic by sneaking behind the security.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I was looking forward to the game but the facilities really didn't meet expectations. I know it is an old ground, but with places like Forest and Man Utd you still have good views and a feeling of heritage at their grounds, which was lacking at Stamford Bridge. I'm glad I did it but I certainly wouldn't want to come back.
Chelsea v Watford
Premier League
Monday 15th May 2017, 8pm
Dave (Watford fan)
Chelsea v Swansea City
Premier League
Saturday 25th February 2017, 3pm
Andrew (Swansea City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Stamford Bridge?
I have not been to 'the Bridge' before and this was one of the away grounds we were going to visit this year. My own teams upsurge in form meant I was travelling with a little bit of optimism against a very good Chelsea side. Not something I would have said two months ago!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
This could be used for anyone travelling to London from the north or the Midlands. We drove down the M1 all the way to Junction 1. Turn off and keep left for Brent Cross shopping centre which is less than five minutes and well sign posted from leaving the motorway. Parking there is free. Park in the multi storey opposite Topsy Turvey World and it's a 10 minute walk to Hendon Central Underground station on the Northern line. It was then a 40 minute journey to Earl's Court. Leave at the Warwick Road exit turning left then immediately right and at the end of the road walk through Brompton Cemetery where you'll get your first glimpse of the Stamford Bridge Stadium. As you reach the ground the away fans are housed to the right. No more than a pleasant 20 minute walk from Earl's Court.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As we were parked at Brent Cross, we had lunch within the centre. Plenty of choice over 3 levels, either sit down or take away to suit all tastes. Weren't wearing colours but didn't see any trouble anywhere on the journey to the stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Stamford Bridge?
Stamford Bridge doesn't look anything special from the outside as you don't actually see much of it as you walk towards it. Inside it was a different story, it was a stadium that I liked. Pretty compact with a very good view of the pitch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Swansea City lost 3-1 but I thought we played well against a very good Chelsea team and if we'd had that penalty at 1-1 who knows? Chelsea fans were surprisingly quiet until they scored their third. As is the norm, away fans stood the whole game with no altercations with the stewards, who were good natured throughout. I didn't buy any food but didn't hear anyone complaining either.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We were sat next to an exit so were away swiftly. Brompton Cemetery had closed so we took the next left which ran parallel to it and added about five minutes to the journey back to Earl's Court. Then back on the tube, two changes and we were on the M1 before 6pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Apart from the result, which did put a downer on it, I enjoyed the experienced. Stamford Bridge is definitely one of the better grounds to visit with excellent views from the away end. I would happily go again.
Chelsea v Peterborough United
FA Cup Third Round
Sunday 8th January 2017, 3pm
Lee Bratley (Peterborough United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Stamford Bridge?
A first visit to Stamford Bridge and a big FA Cup day out with the Posh. I was also looking forward to adding Chelsea to my list of London clubs visited including Arsenal, Tottenham and Charlton.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Myself and my eldest son caught the 10.02 train from Corby to St Pancras then the underground Piccadilly line to Earls Court changed for Fulham Broadway which is only a ten minute walk to Stamford Bridge.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As I was informed and also read on this site that most pubs around Stamford Bridge were for home fans only we stopped at Earls Court at 12.15 had as KFC and had a drink at the Courtfield pub opposite the train station, which was packed with Posh fans having a loud sing song. After swift drink we left for the Tube to Fulham Broadway Station. On the walk to the Stamford Bridge Stadium the home fans were friendly without any problem. After walking through the aptly named Bovril Gate for the Shed End, I purchased the match programme which is advisable as I didn't see any on sale inside the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Stamford Bridge?
Like most London grounds Stamford Bridge is concealed by housing and developments including two hotels. We were seated in the upper tier of the Shed End for away fans the view was excellent and although we were three rows from the back you felt close to the pitch as the stand was quite steep. Stamford Bridge has had almost a complete renovation since the mid nineties still retaining the impressive East Stand built in the early seventies blending with rest of the modern stadia including the opposite West Stand, again a three tired stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Although it was a cup tie against lower league opposition the game was almost a sell out with a gate of 41,003 including 6,000 Posh fans . The Chelsea fans were quiet for most of the match with the away support loud as expected helped by the design of the stadium. As for the game itself Peterborough almost took the lead in the ninth minute when Marcus Maddison crossed for Lee Angol but sadly the Peterborough striker failed to connect cleanly and Begovic saved.Posh held their own until the 15th minute when Pedro broke the deadlock with a good finish to top right hand corner Michy Batshuayi m ade it 2-0 just before half-time. Willian who was a threat all afternoon made it 3-0 on 53 minutes with a crisp right foot shot from the edge of the box. The tie took a twist in the 67th minute when Chelsea captain John Terry was sent off to the delight of the 6,000 travelling fans for hauling down Lee Angol when clean through. Three minutes later after good work and a decent cross from Michael Smith Tom Nichols scored at the far post but any thought of a famous comeback was quashed as the outstanding Pedro smartly scored from 18 yards. Final score 4-1.The concourse facilities were good a bit pricey as expected Singha lager £4.60 a pint . Stewards were friendly and helpful . It was a good cup tie the main difference was Willian and Pedro two top class players.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As the underground staff were going on strike at 6pm myself and my son left with five minutes to go because of the pending industrial action Fulham Broadway Station was packed and chaotic with a heavy police presence we squeezed on the tube wisely changed at Earls Court arrived at St Pancras at 6.05pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite an expected defeat myself and my son enjoyed our visit to Stamford Bridge I would recommend it as a good football day out although for me it lacks a bit of character compared to some other grounds in the top flight.
Chelsea v Bristol Rovers
Football League Cup Second Round
Tuesday 23rd August 2016, 7.45pm
Shaun Ware (Bristol Rovers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Stamford Bridge?
Stamford Bridge was on my “to do” list of stadiums and I was keen to visit before its potential redevelopment so was very pleased when we drew them in the cup!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We parked at North Ealing and got the tube to Earls Court which took around twenty minutes. As it was a nice day we had a gentle stroll to the ground. Stamford Bridge is certainly located in one of the nicest parts of London so it was a pleasant walk and the ground was easy to find.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We stopped for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat on the walk to the ground and the home fans were friendly enough. To be fair it did seem like there were Rovers fans everywhere as we took about 4,000 supporters and most of them seemed to turn up early for an afternoon on the sauce!! Most of the pubs close to the ground are home fans only so you are best looking for a pub a little further away.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Stamford Bridge?
Externally I was slightly disappointed by Stamford Bridge. The approach along the back of the Shed End is dominated by the hotel, which I felt detracted from the fact that it was a place where football is played and made it devoid of character. It was however smart, just not for me! We were sat in the upper the Shed End (at the very back of the stand). Inside the facilities were quite basic and the upper tier concourse is quite small – not a patch on some of the facilities on offer at other Premier League grounds. The toilet areas were also quite small but that’s nothing different to what we are used to at home matches! The steps leading to the back of the stand are small and the terracing is quite steep. The views of the playing area however from this end were fantastic. The most impressive thing about the ground for me is the East Stand which still dominates the ground. I love this stand as it always reminds me of how Stamford Bridge looked in the 80’s and 90’s before the stadium was redeveloped.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was good. We were in danger of being completely blown away in the first half but I personally felt we were the better side for periods of the second half and were unlucky to lose 3-2 in the end. The policing/stewarding was great and the organisation for away fans leaving the ground was also what you would expect from a Premier League club.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game Our exit was really easy, a 20 minute walk to the tube and then back to North Ealing where we were on the motorway within twenty minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I am really pleased I visited “The Bridge” before its redevelopment and will certainly look to go the new stadium. Overall I was really proud that we had gone to one of the best teams in Europe in recent years, battled, played well and gave them a real game……everyone loves the underdog!
Chelsea v Watford
Premier League
Saturday 26th December 2015, 3pm
Stephen Barrow (Watford fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Stamford Bridge?
Another fixture on the great Premier League adventure following the mighty hornets . For the first time in a generation we have a team competitive at the top level, backed by the shrewd Pozzo family and regularly selling out our away allocation. What's not to like …….well the outrageous £55 ticket for starters, but it is Christmas and Boxing Day matches are part of our annual regime, so price notwithstanding we were looking forward to facing our relegation threatened London neighbours!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Hammersmith and Fulham council had kindly decided to designate Boxing Day as not a bank holiday so there were plenty of parking restrictions. So we decided to take the tube. Parked a few stops away at Turnham Green (plenty of street parking) then four stops on the District Line to West Kensington followed by a stroll down the North End Road to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Plenty of food outlets, drinking venues and bookmakers on the mile or so stroll to the ground. If it is not bad weather you really can't go wrong. The closer you get to Stamford Bridge the more fans gather outside pubs, most of which were home fans only. Plus I have never seen so many touts……
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Stamford Bridge Stadium?
Stamford Bridge is hidden behind a series of nearby developments like the two hotels, chain food outlets etc. It is obvious why Chelsea are so keen either to move or completely renovate as the infrastructure is not up to modern standards. The site does not really lend itself to easy improvement and the worst thing about the ground is the very restricted away fan entrance, especially to the upper tier once you have managed to negotiate the three (yes three) lines of security. Once in the ground, things improve dramatically. From the upper level the views are good, proximity to the the home fans lending a great atmosphere. Home fans were friendly before and after the game and showed good humour with a rendition of "we are staying up" after they took the lead!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game had plenty of incident. A 2-2 draw, an offside goal wrongly given and late penalty miss from Chelsea. All this in the first match of Guus Hiddinck's tenure. Watford held their own against their multi millionaire neighbours, and even took a second half lead. Stand out player by a mile was Chelsea's Willian, through whom all of their best attacks were delivered. Indeed it was his killer pass that allowed Costa to equalise, albeit Costa looked fractionally offside. Behrami came on for Watford, kicked a few opponents and gave away an obvious penalty with a reckless lunge. Fortunately for him, Oscar ballooned his kick over the bar. In the final ten minutes there was still time for both Behrami and Costa to pick up yellow cards that on another day could have been reds…..before the final whistle bought an end to proceedings.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We stayed a few minutes after the final whistle to cheer the players off the pitch, safe in the knowledge we were not going to attempt the scrum at Fulham Broadway. Took a few minutes to get out of the crowded away end, then a twenty minute walk back to West Kensington tube station. Ten minute tube ride, back to the car and away with no traffic problems whatsoever.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Stamford Bridge is a good day out with plenty of attractions e route and provided you are prepared to walk a little, the transport is really quite straightforward. If only they didn't charge £55 to away fans. Guess they need the money to improve the stadium 😉
Chelsea v Sunderland
Premier League
Saturday 19th December 2015, 3pm
Gregory Harding (Sunderland fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Stamford Bridge?
I had previously watched Southend in their famous 1-1 cup result at Stamford Bridge, so I already had an idea of what the stadium was like. I was excited about being the first visiting fans to the Bridge in the post Mourinho era.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Fulham Broadway London Underground Station was where we got off at around 2pm. It felt quite safe around the ground with a noticeable but not excessive police presence.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
The home fans around the stadium were as expected – friendly and posh! There were a few nice looking pubs around the stadium, but they seemed to be for home fans only.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Stamford Bridge?
The ground is not as intimidating as others, as it just seems to merge with the other reasonably high properties which surround it. However, later in the dark the stadium looked particularly inviting. The away stand felt quite small – in the upper and lower corners of the Shed End. The security was excessive on entry to this stand – we were searched three times and the security stewards were in lines looking like they were ready to charge. The view from the stand was surprisingly good, and we were close to the home fans on either side, which I thought was great.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Due to the compact stadium, there was a lot of one way banter directed at the Chelsea fans. Sunderland fans were absolutely shredding the Chelsea fans apart throughout the game even though Chelsea were winning for the majority of it. The low roof meant we could really generate some noise, though I'm not sure how well we could have been heard around the ground. The bar staff were friendly and it was £4.90 a pint of Singha – I guess just London prices. The divide between the sections was relatively small, which helped the banter between us and the nearby Chelsea fans.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Avoid Fulham Broadway at all costs – walk to Gloucester Road or South Kensington – it was dire.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Really good day out apart from the result, as Sunderland lost 3-1!
Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth
Competition Premier League
Saturday 5th December 2015, 5.30pm
Brian Lawes (AFC Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Stamford Bridge?
Another first time for me – a visit to one of the 'big club' grounds. AND Chelsea would be playing AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League !! What's not to like?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We left Christchurch, Dorset at 1.30pm, again in our hired mini-bus. Allowing four hours to travel 100 or so miles seemed generous, but of course this is London – the big car park! There was no parking available at the ground itself, but our organiser had a place lined up about 15 min walk away. As it turned out we hit big traffic wherever we went and were at a standstill about a mile away from Stamford bridge at 4.30pm. All us passengers legged it leaving the driver and co-driver to park the bus. They got to their seats seconds before kick off!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
All the away fans were handed vouchers on arrival for a free beer, or pie. This was an initiative paid for by Bournemouth to slightly subsidise the overall cost of the trip for Cherries supporters. This caused a fair bit of congestion, especially with the bar right at the top of the entrance stairway – but we did get a free beer (with our £50 ticket!). The bar was a free-for-all and a bit chaotic, but I had a mate with me who burrowed his way to the front of the throng and soon emerged with two beers. I did think of hiring him out.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Stamford Bridge?
Stamford Bridge is not very visible from the road in the dark, it is surrounded by blocks of flats and other buildings. The single stairway entrance – and exit – to the upper tier felt a bit antiquated, was claustrophobic and seemed to be a bit of a fire hazard. However the seating area itself is a terrific theatre, we were high up but still close to the action due to the steepness of the stands, and had a brilliant all round view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Chelsea were not at their best and the home fans were very quiet, despite being a virtual sell out. This was a shame, because the design of the stadium did generate superb noise on the few occasions they did all let rip. It was left to us 3,000 or so away fans to make the game the occasion we expected. Our keeper, Boruc, surprised a few of us with a fantastic performance and the Bournemouth defence has obviously been working hard on the training pitch. We also worried the Chelsea defence on several occasions and their keeper, Courtois, also had a busy day. As the game went on at 0-0 (we had been counting down the minutes left to play from minute one!) I found myself thinking "If we can nick a goal here….". So when Murray scored, of course we all went completely mad, and then after the final whistle proved we had won at the Chelsea (!!) I began hugging complete strangers. A fantastic experience.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was very congested in that stairway, but once out we got to the bus and despite more heavy traffic, got away a lot easier than got in.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Loved the ground internally and hope any new Chelsea home re-creates what is a fantastic amphitheatre. As for the match itself, just one word required – Unforgettable!
Chelsea v Hull City
Premier League
Sunday August 18th 2013, 4pm
By Marcos Brown-Garcia (Hull City fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to going to the match as it was the first game of the new season and Hull City were back in the Premier league. I was really looking forward to seeing how our new signings would cope in the top division. Also it was the "Special ones" return as Chelsea Manager, so I was looking forward to seeing him on the touchlines. However, the last Chelsea game I attended was against Birmingham a few seasons back which I went to as I was in London. At that game the atmosphere was quite poor so I had mixed emotions of returning to the Bridge.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey is really easy to Stamford Bridge. I always park at Cockfosters tube station and get a tube into London. The ground is literally a stones throw from Fulham Broadway tube station. After exiting the station walk out and turn left and it is a five minute walk to the away end. By parking on the outskirts of London and using the tube you avoid so much trouble in terms of traffic/car parking etc. A day travelcard is cheap and it allows you to explore the capital either before or after the match.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
When a game is in London I always stay over the night before and get up early and go into Central London, to see the sights and grab a bite to eat. This way you have plenty of time and the day is much more relaxing. I am not a pub goer so didn't really take note of any pubs around Stamford Bridge. However outside Fulham Broadway station there is a shopping mall containing Nandos, Pizza Express, a supermarket and some coffee shops.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Upon seeing the ground it is impressive without any major wow factor. There was the Chelsea brass band playing and it was a very relaxed atmosphere. Me and my girlfriend decided to walk around the full stadium to the away end but other than the Peter Osgood statue there is nothing of particular note. Around the ground there are walls or high barriers so there are no views to admire. The stands seemed steep and fairly well maintained. We were sat in the Shed upper on the back row. Upon entering the ground I was worried about the view since I was so high up but after reaching our seats the view was very good. The steps are steep and very narrow so please take this into account. In the second half we moved to the front row of the Shed upper and the view here was also very good. The main benefit of sitting on the front row and a little further away from the Chelsea fans were you felt what atmosphere there was much more.
Looking Across At The West Stand
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself started very well as a spectacle, Chelsea moved the ball really well and Hull looked way out of their depth allowing Chelsea way to much time and space on the ball. Chelsea missed a penalty and scored 2 inside of 25 mins and it could have been more. I was fearing a real thrashing but after going two up, Chelsea relaxed and saw the game out. Hull City came into the game much more without really threatening. After the first 25 minutes the game became a bit of an anti climax. The atmosphere wasn't that great from the Chelsea fans. The Hull City fans created a lot of noise and everyone enjoyed their day out. The stewards were some of the worst I've ever come across. I moved seats as my girlfriend is pregnant and was getting knocked in our original seats. Upon entering the new area I was manhandled and also told "I don't care" when telling one steward my Girlfriend was expecting. I dread to think what they would have done to a City fan who acted aggressively or swore etc. Eventually the stewards allowed me to explain and they then they allowed me to the new seats as if nothing had happened. A totally unprofessional outfit. I didn't eat inside the ground but the facilities seemed good. There were queues for the toilets.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was really easy, however I did stay behind for around an hour to get autographs. By this time the crowd had gone and I walked straight onto the tube and away from the area.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great day out and lovely to see Hull City back in the Premier league. The ground and game were very good and the weather was brilliant. The only sour note were the CFC stewards who have a lot to learn about communication and how to treat fans in the correct manner.
Chelsea v Everton
Premier League
Sunday May 19th 2013, 4pm
By Craig Milne (Everton fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to it as it was a weekend away down in London with with family and the match too. Plus it was another ground never visited before, a stadium with history and passionate supporters. Another London club to have ticked off.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We drove in from Basingstoke along the M3, M25, M4, A4 straight into Kensington. The journey only took an hour. We were planning on parking at Earls Court, it's a huge venue for a multitude of things but there's no parking there unless there's something on and unfortunately on this day there wasn't! However after driving around I noticed that street parking was allowed on Sunday and that it was free. We parked just off the A4 in PhilBeech Gardens just next to Earls Court. It was then a 20 minute walk to the ground from there through the Brompton cemetery.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
En route to park up we passed several bars which sold food, corner shops, bookies and small supermarkets. There was also restaurants from what seemed like all four corners of the World. We headed back to the street and had breakfast in one of the pubs very friendly, nice atmosphere and it seemed far enough away from the ground that there was no hassle. Outside the tube station was an excellent stall with old programmes on, the guy was very chatty and had programmes from a variety of teams and events.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Outside the ground on a wall was an interesting feature of the history of the club. There was also an excellent club shop and facilities in the surrounding area were brilliant. Fulham Broadway tube station had a small shopping centre in it and the Sainsbury was handy for a quick munch. The official Chelsea brass band playing outside was an excellent touch. They had plenty of security around the ground, food outlets and on that day a promotion through one of the sponsors which was entertaining many of the kids there. A nice touch from such a large club.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Before the game I noticed there were clowns, entertainers and balloons galore, in various parts of the home end, which was great for the kids. The game was great too. Chelsea took the lead, Everton drew level, then Chelsea made it a 2 – 1 win. It was a nice way for Chelsea to finish the season, but it was a bit of a wet blanket for David Moyes final Everton game in charge.
The away end was dry, no booze even though we'd been handed a voucher for discounted ale up to an hour before kick off! The back two rows of the lower tier, numbered 15 and 16 are right under the overhang of the upper tier and in my opinion were a restricted view. It was a bit like watching the game through a letter box and thats where we were sat. There were some spare seats were in row 14 so we moved there and the view was better. After the game Chelsea brought out the two European Cups which was nice to see.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We left about 45 minutes after the final whistle and walked back to the car through the cemetery with a large contingent of Chelsea fans. Got back to the car in no time and then once on the A4 the traffic was flowing freely and we were back in Cheshire 3 and a half hours later. That included a stop for a Burger King with John Barnes! We didn't plan to meet him, he just happened to be there at the services.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great weekend and an excellent visit. The day was all the more enjoyable thanks to the events Chelsea had put on to entertain the fans before kick off. An easy journey in proper football weather (sunny) and the game was grand. I'd be a lot more interested in attending again if the prices weren't as steep £52 for a seat in the lower tier and £55 in the upper.
Chelsea v West Ham United
Premier League
Sunday March 17th 2013, 4pm
By Philip Pegram (West Ham United fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
The whole of my family support Chelsea (apart from me that is) They keep saying how good the stadium is. So couldn’t pass the opportunity to visit for my first time when West ham played this season at Stamford Bridge.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We travelled to the ground by Tube from South London. Got off at Fulham Broadway. Short walk to the stadium, just followed the crowds.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We had a few drinks and food in Wetherspoons near Victoria Station, The Willow Walk. Great pub with the usual menu and drinks that you see in a Wetherspoons. We also stopped just out side Earls Court Station for a couple. Pub directly opposite the station and full of away fans called the Courtfield.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground looked very nice as we got close. We were searched on entering and made our way to the upper tier. Great view of the stadium for away fans and very good seating. There 3,000 Hammers fans in attendance for the game.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Wasn’t a bad game apart from West Ham losing 2-0. Great atmosphere with all the away fans singing for most of the game. Not the best move for Frank Lampard to celebrate his goal in front of the West Ham fans. Didn’t go down well. Facilities were very good in the ground Pies, sausage rolls, Tea & Coffee. Alcohol was £4 for a pint of lager.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Very easy to get away from the game after the match. Got tube from Fulham Broadway. Was a bit of a queue after the game but what you would expect for a football match. Didn’t have to wait long for a tube to arrive.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
My overall thoughts for the day were very good. Had a great day at Chelsea and look forward to visiting again.
Chelsea v Norwich City
Premier League
Saturday, August 27th 2011, 3pm
By Thomas Ling (Norwich City fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Off course I was looking forward to visiting Chelsea, as they are recognised as one off the best teams in the country. Norwich City had just come back into the Premier League and this was our second away game of the season. Realistically were weren't expecting to get three points here, but to enjoy the fun and have a good day out at Stamford Bridge.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I had travelled on a private coach and the three hour drive from East Anglia was very easy and comfortable with no hold ups. Surprisingly the traffic around London was quiet, giving us an easy ride to Stamford Bridge. We had to park a bit of a way from the ground, but the walk wasn't too bad.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We were not going to go anywhere before the game, we just were going to buy a programme and go inside. We were told that all Norwich fans were not being allowed into pubs around the stadium, which must have been a bit annoying for all the other Canaries supporters who were looking for a drink. One good thing is that the home fans were really friendly.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
From a distance the ground was difficult to see, being partly obscured by other buildings including a hotel. The amount of stewards outside the away supporters entrance was almost unbelieveable, having to go through lines of them to get into the stadium. On each side of the stadium were large three tiered stands, that looked very impressive, whilst the two ends were two tiered.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was very poor from the home fans not really finding their voice at all. The leg room between the seats was very tight. The stewards were continuously trying to get us to sit down but we could not see, so we had to keep standing up.
As for the game itself, well Chelsea got off to a flyer with a fantastic strike from just outside the penalty area by Jose Bosingwa. In the second half Norwich equalised, through a great goal by Grant Holt, which sent the Norwich fans wild. But late on Chelsea got a penalty and we were reduced to ten men, with our keeper, John Ruddy receiving a red card. Lampard converted the penalty to make it 2-1 to the home side. Chelsea grabbed a third late in injury time to seal the win.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was a walk back up to the coaches, with s few Chelsea fans rubbing it in. A Police escort meant that we were soon on our way back to Norfolk.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The day had been brilliant, the atmosphere from the away fans was excellent and we were very unlucky not to get anything from the game. But there is always next season (hopefully!).