Last Update:
November 9, 2024
The New Meadowbank Stadium re-opened in 2022 after renovation work. It is primarily an athletics stadium but is also used by Edinburgh City as their home ground.
Only one of the stands of the renovated stadium has seated room (500 seats), but even here the distance between fans and the pitch feels large due to the running track that wraps around the entire stadium.
Still, for a club competing in the fourth tier of Scottish football, it is a tidy little stadium.
Visiting supporters are typically housed in the Main Stand on one side of the stadium. Segregation is very rarely in place, though, so away fans can choose to stand in the terraces if they’d prefer.
The facilities inside and around the stadium are much better than most grounds in League Two and the leg room is brilliant in the seated sections.
Still, the one obvious downside of the stadium is the running track around the pitch which has a negative impact on both the view from the terraces and the atmosphere.
The current capacity at Meadowbank Stadium is 1,320 with just 500 spaces designated to a seated section. This is significantly down on what the ground could hold prior to the renovation work with the Main Stand previously being able to hold 5,000 people.
Pubs near Meadowbank Stadium include:
- The Safari Lounge – 21 Cadzow Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5SN
- Dirty Dick’s Pub – 59 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 4LS
- Sheep Heid Inn – 43-45 The Causeway, Edinburgh EH15 3QA
Meadowbank Stadium is located near to Hibernian’s Easter Road Ground in the North East part of Edinburgh, which is on the other side of the city centre to the way that most people approach the city from the M8. Although mileage wise it may be a shorter route to go through Edinburgh City Centre to the stadium, it is normally quicker to go around the ring road. However the stadium is relatively easy to find as it is located on the A1.
From The West and M8, South and A1.
At the end of the M8, follow signs for the City Bypass South A720, Berwick (A1). Keep on the A720 for nine miles and at the roundabout which is a junction with the A7/A6106, take the second exit onto the A6106 towards Millerhill/Newton. Follow the A6106 for three miles and on reaching a set of traffic lights, that is the junction with the A1 (there is a National Tyres garage on one corner) turn left onto the A1 (Milton Road), towards Edinburgh City Centre.
Continue along the A1 as it becomes Willowbrae Road. On reaching a set of traffic lights, with a large church on the right hand side, turn left at the traffic lights onto London Road (signposted A1 City Centre). Meadowbank Stadium is further down London Road on the right.
You will first see the tall floodlights and then turn right just before the stadium into the adjacent Sports Centre, where parking is available.
From The North
After crossing the Forth Road Bridge, continue along the A90 towards Edinburgh. After eight miles you will reach a major set of traffic lights, where you turn right towards City ByPass/Edinburgh Airport/Berwick. On reaching a set of traffic lights with a Shell Garage on the left hand corner, turn right towards City Bypass (A720). On joining the City Bypass then follow directions From the West above.
Car Parking
There are around 100 spaces at the car park at the Meadowbank Sports Centre next to the Stadium. Otherwise, street parking is necessary.
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station is the closest to Meadowbank Stadium and is just over a mile or a 20-minute walk away. Either grab a taxi from the station or Lothian Bus No 26 up to the stadium.
Official Matchday Programme: £2
Ticket prices at Edinburgh City for the 2024/25 season:
- Adults: £15
- Concessions (u18s & OAPs): £10
- Under 12s: £5
The Club have enjoyed a healthy rivalry with nearby Spartans FC.
Record Attendance
For an Edinburgh City game: 2,522 v Hibernian Pre-Season Friendly, 7th July 2016.
Average Attendances
2023-2024: 461 (League One)
2022-2023: 569 (League One)
2021-2022: 350 (League Two)
Official website: www.edinburghcityfc.com
Ground Layout
Edinburgh City v Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale
East of Scotland (City) Cup Final
Wednesday 19th April 2017, 7.45pm
Phil Graham (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Meadowbank Stadium?
I found myself up in Edinburgh for the week with work. My Brother told me about this game, I wouldn't of know about it otherwise as I couldn't see anything about it on the Edinburgh City website. So it was the perfect opportunity to tick off another Scottish Ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I got a taxi down to Stadium as I didn't finish work until 7pm and Meadowbank Stadium was on the other side of town.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As it was late and straight from work so no chance for a Pint beforehand!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Meadowbank Stadium?
Meadowbank is an athletics stadium that has seen better days, This was the penultimate game at the Ground before a major refurbishment apparently. Only £5 admission for this game.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Lothain Thistle won 2-1 in front of 133 spectators. Edinburgh City produced an Programme for the game and was a good read for only £2. I had a Macaroni Pie (£2) and a Bovril (£1) that were on sale under the stand. They pitch is a fair way from the Main Stand due to the Running Track and and Long Jump pits, But as the stand is quite steep the view was still good.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Plenty of buses outside the ground that head back into City Centre and Waverley Station. If getting bus make sure you have the exact fare (£1.60) as drivers do not issue any change.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Not a bad game especially for £5. A bonus ground as I wasn't expecting to go to any games during my time up there. Would go back one day should the opportunity arise when Stadium re-opens after renovations.
Edinburgh City v Forfar Athletic
Scottish Football League Two
Saturday 6th August 2016, 3pm
Andy James (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Meadowbank Stadium?
This was the first ever Football League game for Edinburgh City, so an historic occassion. Also I had never been to the Meadowbank Stadium before.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We got a train from Glasgow Queen Street which only took about an hour to Edinburgh Waverley Station. From there the Meadowbank Stadium was about a 25 minute walk, though if you don't fancy walking there are always plenty of buses and taxis about that will take you there much quicker.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We didn't get a chance to get to any pubs before the game, we just had a drink. But there are plenty pubs to choose from in Edinburgh City Centre. Before the match we had a bite to eat in the McDonalds across the road from the ground, which was pretty busy but not too bad.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Meadowbank Stadium?
The Meadowbank Stadium has one quite large stand, that was much bigger than I had expected for a team that had just been promoted into the Scottish Football League for the first time. There was a friendly atmosphere at the ground and the home fans were clearly enjoying this historical day for the club. The view from the Main Stand was quite good, although the running track between the stand and the pitch did ruin the look of the stadium a bit.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was very good for a neutral with Forfar winning 3-2, not the best quality of football of course but an exciting match nonetheless. The home fans remained optimistic throughout the match, though the atmosphere was some what lacking as would be expected in a large ground with only a few hundred fans inside.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Was easy enough as we walked back to Waverley station (via the off licence!) and we didn't have to wait too long for a train back to Glasgow.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good day out, wish we had longer in Edinburgh as there are plenty of great pubs to enjoy. Hopefully Edinburgh City will have a good season.
Edinburgh City v Forfar Athletic
Scottish Football League Two
Saturday 6th August 2016, 3pm
Paul O'Shea Doing the 42)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Meadowbank Stadium?
The first game for Ediinburgh City in the Football League and a new ground for me, made this one unmissable.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I came up from Lytham on the train using my Senior railcard for the first time. Got into Edinburgh early to soak up the Fringe atmosphere and to find some pubs that had previously eluded me.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Headed out to Stockbridge to enjoy the Tap of the same name before coming back into town for a couple in the Abbottsford, a belter of a boozer. Then jumped on a number 4 Bus out to the Meadowbank Stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Meadowbank Stadium?
The bus drops you off right behind the Main Stand and there was no queuing at the turnstiles, only £6 for me. You walk across a indoor track inside the stand where there is a snack bar and a another stall set out selling the home sides shirts, scarves and programmes etc. Only the Main Stand is open and as it holds 7,500 the 547 that turned up were fairly spread out. As its nearly 50 years old some of the design i , to be fair, very dated but I found it alright. On the far side of the ground were three giant white concrete triangles that seemed to serve no purpose whatsoever and behind one of the goals appears what looks to be a fitness centre.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was played at a high tempo and what the teams lacked in skill they made up with enthusiasm.Forfar went ahead with a penalty before City hit back with a well taken equaliser. However just before ht Forfar regained the lead. Forfar went 3-1 up in the second half and I thought that's that but Edinburgh pulled a late goal back and really threw all they had into getting a draw. It was not to be and after a melee in the Forfar goalmouth two players were shown the red card for some argy bargy. Great value for money! The crowd got more vocal as the game went on and there were a fair few Loons who had made the trip but all in all very relaxed and the stewards were easy going too. Sat next to some Forfar fans in the first half then some City fans for the second, everyone was fine.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Unfortunately it started raining but thankfully the bus stop back to the centre was handy and I caught the first bus that came in a matter of minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Terrific day out, good beer, entertaining match and back home for 10pm.
Edinburgh City v Hamilton Academical
Scottish League Cup – Preliminary Group Stage
Wednesday 27th July 2016, 7.45pm
Gavin (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Meadowbank Stadium?
Another ground to tick off the list!
How easy wa s your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was about a mile walk from Waverley Railway Station.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I was pushed for time so just went straight to the ground from the train station.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Meadowbank Stadium?
I could believe how run down the ground was. The entire Meadowbank Stadium (which is council owned and hosted the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games) is well past its best. The Main Stand is the only part of the stadium that's used with no fan segregation and you basically sit where you want. The rest of the ground consists of an unused terrace that sweeps around the other three sides of the ground. A disused scoreboard and a sports centre also sit behind each goal. The stadium has an eight track running track and long jump pit surrounding the pitch so you are a fair distance from the nearest touch line .
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was good with Edinburgh going two up within 20 minutes, before Hamilton started to dominate eventually running out 4-2 winners. The stewarding was low key and the pies, tea etc.. were reasonably priced.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Walked back the same way to Waverley station I came with no problems.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good game, but I doubt if I'll be rushing back to watch another game at the Meadowbank Stadium.