Last Update:
November 28, 2024
A more centrally located town centre ground would be harder to find, the Showgrounds sits next to the Coleraine’s Railway and Bus Interchange. The tall grey brick and blue cladded main stand runs alongside Ballycastle Road and dominates the ground. Inside the ground, the Main Stand is positioned slightly oddly, towards the away supporters end. The stand has a high cantilever roof with exposed steelwork above a shallow concrete seating deck with 1,400 dark blue plastic seats, and a row of executive boxes at the rear. The lowest few rows of seats in the Main Stand have the disadvantage of being exposed to the elements and, since the touchline is positioned a couple of metres away, the playing action is more distant than most other grounds. Looking to the right from the stadium control box the social club building with its second floor viewing lounge fills in the remaining space to the corner flag. Behind the goal at both ends is a ‘U’ shaped terrace with a covered central section along the length of the penalty area. The Coleriane/Railway End is allocated for home supporters where as the Ballycastle Road End is allocated for visitors. Both terrace covers have columns and fencing which may impede your view. Looking directly across the pitch from the main stand there is a deep pitch length terrace, which originally had a roof. Since the terrace steps are much deeper than those behind the goals the view offered from the rear steps allows the spectator to see the whole ground from over the top of the fencing. The stadium is completed with a set of four tall modern looking floodlights.
Visitors enter the ground through a turnstile block on the training pitch side of the Main Stand. This leads onto the behind goal Ballycastle Road Terrace, which has uncovered side wings and a low cover on the central section. The cover has a number of columns which may restrict your view, although there are enough steps on the terrace to see over the top of the fencing. The low cover certainly keeps the rain out and it doesn’t take many travelling fans to get a good atmosphere going.
There is a Social Club at the ground itself. Otherwise there are a number of pubs in the town centre, which is just two minutes walk from the Showgrounds.
From Ballymena, Antrim and Belfast
Take the A26 into New Bridge Road, at the A29 Ring Road Junction turn right, towards Portrush, then at the B57 Junction turn left into Ballycastle Road and follow the road towards Coleraine town centre. The Showgrounds will appear to the left hand side just before the railway station level crossing.
From Londonderry/Derry
Take the A2 into Castlerock Road, cross over the Bann Bridge and turn right into the A26 Circular Road. At the next junction turn right into Union Street. This will lead you out into directly in front of the railway and bus station. Turn left, go over the level crossing and take the first turn right into Ballycastle Road. The Showgrounds is on the right hand side.
From Limavady/Maghera
Take the A29 into Dunhill Road,at the A29 roundabout turn left into Strand Road. Take a right turn and cross over the Bann Bridge and turn right into the A26 Circular Road. At the next junction turn right into Union Street. This will lead you out into directly in front of the railway and bus station. Turn left, go over the level crossing and take the first turn right into Ballycastle Road. The Showgrounds is on the right hand side.
Car Parking
There are a number of car parking spaces directly in front of the Main Stand, and at the side of the training pitch behind the away end. Otherwise there are a number car parks located in the nearby town centre.
Coleraine Railway Station has a regular service on the Belfast to Londonderry line. The adjacent Bus Station also has a regular service by Goldline bus 218 from Belfast Europa Bus Station to Portrush.
Walking directions to the Showgrounds from the Bus and Railway Stations
The Railway and Bus Stations are both central to the Showgrounds and Coleraine town centre. For the town centre exit the railway station on the ticket office platform. The bus station concourse is also linked to this platform. Walk along Railway Road in the opposite direction of the level crossing, past the tourist information centre. The pedestrianised town centre begins on the right hand side as this road turns sharpely to the left. For the Showgrounds cross over the level crossing and take the first right turn into Ballycastle Road. The Showgrounds is on the right hand side.
Visitors with time on their hands will no doubt be interested to know there are regular services from the bus station to the Giants Causeway and the Carrick rope bridge via Service 172 to Ballycastle.
Adults £11
OAP’s/Under 16’s £8
Under 11’s Free
Official Matchday Programme £2
Ballymena are the nearest Premier League club. Whilst Limavady and Ballymoney are the nearest local rivals.
Northern Ireland Premier league fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
2017-2018: 1,702 (Northern Ireland Premiership)
2016-2017: 910 (Northern Ireland Premiership)
2015-2016: 896 (Northern Ireland Premiership)
In Coleraine town centre there is a statue of footballer Bertie Peacock. A local Coleraine man, Bertie played for his local side before moving to Glentoran in 1947 and then onto Glasgow Celtic in 1949. He went on to make over 300 appearances for the Hoops and became their Club Captain. He also gained 31 caps for Northern Ireland and played in the World Cup finals in Sweden in 1958. Four years later he returned to Northern Ireland first managing the national team and then becoming manager of Coleraine, leading the club to their only ever Irish league title in 1974. He passed away in 2004 and this statue was erected in 2007.
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
Why not write your own review of the Showgrounds Coleraine and have it included in the Guide? Find out more about submitting a Fans Football Ground Review.
Official Web Site: www.colerainefc.com
Official Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/colerainefc
Twitter: @ColeraineFC
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Special thanks to Owen Pavey for providing the photos and stadium layout plan of the Showgrounds, Coleraine.
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