Last Update:
November 27, 2024
Hampden Park is a modern all seated stadium. Although not particularly large for a national stadium, with a capacity of 52,500, it still retains its charm and individual character, enhanced by its completely enclosed oval shape. Three sides are single tiered, but the South Stand on one side has a small second tier, which slightly overhangs the lower one. Normally this creates an unbalanced look, but it has integrated well with the oval stadium roof rising gently towards this stand. There are two electric scoreboards suspended underneath the roofs at each end. One unusual aspect of the stadium is that the team dugouts are actually situated six rows up on the South Stand, allowing team managers to get a better view of the game. The roof of the stadium is adorned with a number of flagpoles and flags, adding to the overall occasion.
With Rangers & Celtic both contesting a number of finals at the stadium, it has now become traditional for each team to be allotted the same ends. So Celtic are allocated the East End of the stadium and Rangers the West End.
The stadium is also the home of Queens Park FC, who are the only amateur club to compete in the Scottish Football League. Up to 1950 it was the largest stadium in the World.
As the stadium is ‘sunken’ into a hillside, fans enter the stadium at the very back of the stands. Meaning that you are at the highest point and then walk down to your seats, giving you a very good first impression of the stadium. Fans though are set well back from the playing action, especially behind both ends, as there is a quite a gap between the first rows of seats and the pitch. If you are at the back of the ends then this is even more noticeable as you are quite far from the pitch, meaning that you may struggle to see the action at the opposite end. This is not helped by the shallow incline of the stands, which may mean that your view is less than perfect. If possible, it is probably best to obtain tickets in either the North or South Stands, where the views are better. However, the leg room between rows is good, plus the atmosphere generated within the stadium and the colourful display by the supporters can be superb.
The facilities inside are also pretty good. The inside concourse is spacious and there is a good selection of food on offer including the ‘Hampden Scotch Pie’ (£2.30), Steak Pies (£2.90), Chicken and Tarragon Pies (£3.70), Butternut Squash and Goats Cheese Pies (£3.60), Hot Dogs (£4.50) and Chips (£2.60). There are televisions next to the serving areas showing the game being played inside, so that you don’t have to miss a kick. There seems to be ample numbers of refreshment kiosks and at the East End these are further supplemented by fish & chip vans that located on the large external concourse. If you go to the gents though beware that some of the urinals have a thoughtful step located in front of them for younger fans to step up onto. Good idea, except I almost didn’t quite see the step and almost ended up head first in it!
There are only a few bars in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, so as you would expect thay tend to get rather over crowded on matchdays. It is therefore probably best to drink in the City Centre or en route before the game. If you do get to Hampden Park early then my favourite bar in the area is the Clockwork Beer Company on Cathcart Road (going away from the city centre). This spacious pub brews its own varied selection of beers and also stocks a wide range of whiskies; or more affectionately known as the ‘water of life’. Beyond the East side of the stadium (and tucked behind a handy Greggs Bakery and a Bookies) is the Montford House pub, which is located on Curtis Avenue (just off Aikenhead Road). Over on the opposite West side of the Stadium near Mount Florida Station is the Mount Florida pub on Battlefield Road.Otherwise around a 20 minute walk away on Rutherglen Main Street is a Wetherspoons outlet called the ‘Ruadh Ghlean’. There are also a few other bars located on Rutherglen Main Street.
Please note that in common with all Scottish Grounds, alcohol is not made available to supporters inside Hampden Park.
Leave the M74 at Junction 1A and take the A728 towards Polmadie/King’s Park/Hampden. At the T-junction with traffic lights, bear right onto Aikenhead Road. After about half a mile you will go through a set of double traffic lights with the Toryglen Football centre on the left. Carry-on, straight through these lights and the Aikenhead Road beers round to your right and Hampden Park. The main entrance is off Aikenhead Road on the right and this leads up to a large car park which is free, located behind the South Stand. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Hampden Park via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
David Tennant a visiting St Mirren fan adds ‘It is not straightforward to get to by road and it’s not easy to get parked for a big match. So allow plenty of time for your journey’. Parking spaces can typically be found in the area around the Victoria Infirmary’.
The nearest railway stations to Hampden Park are Mount Florida and Kings Park. Both are served by trains from Glasgow Central (journey time around 10-15 minutes) and are around a five minute walk away from the stadium. As you would expect though after the game, the queues of fans waiting for a train to get back into the City Centre are pretty horrendous.
Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.
Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.
Click on the trainline logo below:
For International Matches visiting supporters are housed in the South West corner of the stadium (including a small portion of the upper tier of the South Stand) where around 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. Please note that in common with other Scottish Grounds, alcohol is not available inside the stadium, nor is smoking permitted within the stadium. The ‘Tartan Army of Scottish supporters’ are renown for their friendliness and hospitality, which normally makes for a great visit.
Stadium tours of Hampden Park are available daily (except matchdays and bank holidays) at a cost of £8 for adults and £3.50 for concessions. For an extra £3 (£1.50 concessions) you can buy a combined stadium our and museum ticket. Family tickets are also available, giving further discounts. The tour lasts about 40 minutes and includes the Presentation Area, Dressing Rooms, Warm Up Area and a walk at pitch side. I found it quite entertaining, interesting and would recommend it. Tours can be booked in advance on 0141 616 6139.
The stadium is also the home of the Scottish Football Museum, which opened its doors in May 2001. I was thoroughly impressed not only with the standard of museum, but also the vast array of items that can be seen. From a ticket from the first ever Football International held in Glasgow in 1872, to an exhibition of football related ‘toys’. The current Scottish Cup is also available to view within the museum.
What I particularly liked was the emphasis on the fans involvement in the Clubs, from the first fanzines to the Tartan Army. The museum is a must for any true football supporter.
The museum is open daily from 10.00am to 5pm (Sunday’s 11am-5pm, Last admittance all days – 4.15pm). Entrance costs £7 for adults and £3 for concessions. For an extra £4 (£2 concessions) you can purchase a combined stadium tour and museum ticket. For more information or to book please call 0141 616 6139.
149,415 – Scotland v England, 1937.
This is the record for the largest attendance at a football match in Britain.
The programme price can vary from match to match, but expect to pay about £5.
For all those ground enthusiasts out there, then make sure you take a peek at the lesser Hampden, behind the West Stand. This is a small old ground with a quaint looking stand at one side of the pitch. In the past it has been used by Queens Park reserves, as well as for the odd first team outing.
Of equal if not more interest are the remnants of another ground, called Cathkin Park, home to Third Lanark until 1967, when they unfortunately went out of business. The ground was originally built in 1872 and once hosted an international match in 1884, between Scotland and England. There is plenty of terracing still remaining of the old ground, in a picturesque setting and it is only a ten minute walk away from the present Hampden. It is now hard to believe that at one time over 45,000 crammed in to watch a cup tie against Rangers in February 1954. Although the official attendance was given as 45,544, it is believed that the actual attendance was far higher, as many fans climbed in over the perimeter and got in without paying. The entrance to the park is in Cathcart Road (Google Map), only five to ten minutes walk away from Hampden.
If you require hotel accommodation in Glasgow, 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. The Hotels listing also includes details of how far away the accommodation is located from Glasgow City Centre.
Access their Glasgow Hotels and Guest Houses pages.
Official Stadium Web Site: Hampdenpark.co.uk
SFA Website: Scottishfa.co.uk
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 layout diagram of Hampden Park Glasgow.
Ground Layout
Scotland v Russia
European Championship Qualifiers
Friday 6th September 2019, 7.45pm
Andy Carruthers (Scotland)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Hampden Park?
It’s the first time I’ve been to Hampden Park in its new format and I was looking forward to being with the mighty Tartan Army.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was great as we drove up to the game from Wigan and experienced no hold ups. As always we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast which was a fifteen minute walk from the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We called into Anderson’s Bar not far from the ground for a couple of drinks. It is a great pub for Scotland fans. There are also a couple of nice little cafes near to the ground and all sorts of burger vans so you definitely wouldn’t starve.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Hampden Park?
The ground was amazing all round the away fans are housed behind the goals we had an amazing view as all the fans would have no restrictions whatsoever
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was fantastic. Scotland gave a good account of themselves in the first half but sadly as the game progressed a few mistakes let the Russians off the hook sadly. But I enjoyed the game nevertheless despite going down 2-1. The food and drink inside the ground were fantastic and nor was it expensive. It was easy to get at with no long queues if you went at the right time. Also great toilet facilities. I was really impressed with the ground.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Absolutely no problem whatsoever out of the ground and back in our digs in under half an hour. It obviously busy and a lot of congestion around the stadium if your are in a car, but on foot was not a problem. Plus the police are great at directing you to the train stations keeping you safe and on the move.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
An amazing day out. I got there early enough to soak the atmosphere up and take it all in walked round the ground before going in. A superb day and night. I would strongly recommend going to Hampden even if your are not a Scotland fan it’s definitely worth the experience.