Bramall Lane Stadium

Pretty much every football ground has a history to speak of in its own way, but Bramall Lane’s history knocks them all out of the water. The home of Sheffield United is actually the oldest professional football ground in the world, having hosted its first match as far back as 1862. The ground has its own claim to fame in a more modern sense, too, as it was the first to host a floodlit football match.

The uniqueness of Bramall Lane doesn’t stop there. It is one of only two stadiums in the world that has hosted an England football international match, an England cricket test match and an FA Cup Final.

General information

Arena capacity: 32,702 spectators

Address: Bramall Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England S2 4SU

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 53°22′13″N 1°28′15″W

Year of construction: 30 April 1855

Field: Desso GrassMaster lawn with dimensions of 258 x 267 yards

Seating plan of the Bramall Lane Stadium

Bramall Lane has probably been one of the most underrated grounds in the country. The construction of three large modern looking stands, plus the filling in of the corners (albeit one corner is filled with administrative offices), makes it a great ground and one that has character.

Both sides of the ground are large single tiered stands. Whilst the GAC (South) Stand is a fairly plain looking stand, the Visit Malta Stand which sits opposite, is probably the smartest looking stand at Bramall Lane. This stand which was opened in 1996, has had the corners to either side of it filled in, by offices on one side and a family seated area on the other, called the Fortina Spa Corner, in a corporate sponsorship deal.

At the back of the stand are a row of executive boxes and on its roof is a small gable, reminiscent of when many older grounds featured them.

At one end is the Kop Stand, which is slightly disappointing as it has two large supporting pillars. Opposite is the Bramall Lane Stand, which during the Summer of 2006 was extended around one corner of the stadium to meet the GAC (South) Stand.

Also, the roof was replaced with a new cantilever structure, allowing the supporting pillars of the old roof to be removed, giving fans more cover and an unimpeded view of the playing action. This stand is two-tiered and also has an electric scoreboard, perched between the two. The stadium is balanced, with all four stands being of the same height.

Outside the stadium behind the GAC stand is a statue of former Club Chairman Derek Dooley and another of former playing legend Joe Shaw. A lot of Blades fans sentimentally call the ground “Beautiful down town Bramall Lane”, as a match day announcer uses this description to welcome the away fans.

Away fans

Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Redbrik Estate Agency (aka the Bramall Lane) Stand at one end of the ground, where around 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. For cup games, if the demand requires it, then the upper tier can be made available too.

Bramall Lane is a great place to watch football as the stands are located close to the pitch, the views are generally good, as well as the atmosphere too. Any tickets still available for the away end can be purchased from two dedicated away ticket windows just up from the turnstile entrances.

On the concourses, there are television screens showing the game going on inside as well as a betting outlet. Food is available in the form of Pukka Pies (Meat & Potato, Chicken Curry, or Cheese & Onion, (all £3.50), Sausage Rolls (£2.90), Cheeseburgers (£3.50) and Hot Dogs (£3.50). Prepare to be searched on entry into the ground by the stewards.

The Club have automatic turnstiles, meaning that you have to insert your ticket into a bar code reader to gain admittance. Please note that unless you have a flag that has got a fire certificate, it won’t be allowed in. You will be prevented from taking a flag into the ground, but it will be returned by the stewards at the end of the game.

The United fans are particularly passionate and vocal about their club. This makes for a great atmosphere at games, but also can make it somewhat intimidating for the away supporter. It was one of those grounds that by just listening to the crowd you could tell what was happening on the pitch.

It’s quite amusing as having to go for a leak just before half time, you could hear the home crowd shout Goo-on as a Sheffield United attack began. Then this got louder & louder as the United team got closer to the goal, Goo-on, Goo-on, Goo-On! and then the air turned blue as whoever it was missed the chance!

Where to buy tickets?

The ticket pricing for matches at Bramall Lane isn’t the easiest thing to understand, with the club categorising matches, charging different amounts depending on where in the ground you want to sit and offering discounts for Blades Membership holders. There are also different prices on a match day to if you buy your tickets in advance.

The Club operates a three category system (A* A & B) of matchday ticket prices, whereby the most popular games cost more to watch. Category A* prices are shown below with Category A & B prices shown in brackets.

Home Fans*

1. South Stand: Adults £35 (A £31) (B £27) Over 60’s £28 (A £24) (B £20) Under 22’s/Students £23 (A £19) (B 17), Under 18’s £18 (A £15) (B £12).
• No questions? Place a bet now.
2. John Street Stand: Adults £35 (A £31) (B £27) Over 60’s £28 (A £24) (B £20) Under 22’s/Students £23 (A £19) (B 17), Under 18’s £18 (A £15) (B £12).
3. Kennedys Kop Stand: Adults £31 (A £27) (B £23) Over 60’s £26 (A £22) (B £17) Under 22’s/Students £21 (A £17) (B £15) Under 18’s £15 (A £12) (B £10).
• Follow the link and get your prediction before the match starts.
4. Westfield Corner: Adults £33 (A £29) (B £26) Over 60’s £27 (A £23) (B £18) Under 22’s/Students £22 (A £18) (B £16) Under 18’s £17 (A £14) (B £11).

Away Fans*

Bramall Lane End: Adults £33 (A £29) (B £26) Over 60’s £27 (A £23) (B £18) Under 22’s/Students £22 (A £18) (B £16) Under 18’s £17 (A £14) (B £11).

Home fans can receive a £1 discount on these prices if they become Club Members. In addition, youngsters who become Junior Blades Members. can get up to a £3 discount on the Under 18’s prices.

* Please note that these prices are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game, cost £2 more.

As is the case with pretty much every team in the Football League, Sheffield United have a good website where you can look at your ticketing options and buy tickets for games. You can also call the club’s ticket office or drop-in in person. The ticket office at the ground is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm, from 9am until 12pm on non-match day Saturdays or from 9am until half-time and for fifteen minutes after the final whistle on the day of the game.

How to get there?

Sheffield is in South Yorkshire and is reasonably easy to reach from pretty much anywhere in the country; though you might have a little bit more difficulty if the weather is bad. Here are some of the usual methods you’ll consider trying.

From The North

Leave the M1 at Junction 36 and follow the A61 into Sheffield. Follow the A61 into Sheffield passing Hillsborough Stadium on your right. Continue along the A61, which becomes the ring road around the western side of the city centre. You will eventually reach a roundabout at the junction with the A621. At the roundabout turn right onto the A621 Bramall Lane. The ground is a short way down on the left.

From The South

Leave M1 at Junction 33 and take the A630 into Sheffield City Centre. On reaching the inner ring road follow signs for A621 Bakewell, the ground is about a 1/4 of a mile the other side of the city centre. It is located on the A621 (Bramall Lane). Street Parking.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid Sheffield City Centre, then you may find it easier to park at Meadowhall Railway Station, near to the well known Shopping Centre (unless of course it is in the run up to Christmas or the January sales, when the shopping centre is very busy), just by Junction 34 of the M1, where you can park for free. You can then take a yellow tram to the City Centre and then walk to the ground.

The tram journey time is around 20 minutes and costs £4 return. It’s worth noting that if you are coming up from the South, that you can leave the M1 at Junction 29 (Chesterfield) and follow signs for Sheffield A61. This is particularly useful if the M1 is slow around J30, as it often is! There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Bramall Lane via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT NAV: S2 4SU

By train

Sheffield Railway Station is located just under a mile away from Bramall Lane. It is around a 15 minute walk away. As you come out of the railway station, walk up the slope and cross over at the traffic lights, then turning to your left. Walk straight along Shoreham Street passing BBC Radio Sheffield and the University Engineering Centre on your right, until reaching the large traffic light junction and crossover.

Turn up to the right along St Mary’s Road, past the Church to the next junction and turn left into Bramall Lane. The visiting supporters’ turnstiles are about 200 yards along this road on the left. Thanks to Sue Forbes for providing these directions.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the Trainline website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets.

Bus

Sheffield Bus Station is about fifteen minutes walk away from Bramall Lane so that’s where you’ll be dropped off if you get a bus or coach from outside the city. If you’re looking for a bus from here to the ground then head to the bus station and ask their advice of which one is your best bet.

Taxi

Getting a taxi from Sheffield Railway Station should cost in the region of £3.50 and take less than five minutes.

Facilities

As well as being excellent for disabled supporters, Bramall Lane is a ground with that perfect mix of history and modernisation. There are good, wide concourses with plenty of places to buy food and drink before and during the match, as well as kiosks where you can place a bet or two.

Hospitality

Despite not having been an established top-flight team for some time, Sheffield United’s hospitality options are as top-of-the-table as you can get. Here are some of the choices you’ll be faced with if you want to enjoy a Blades game in style:

• The Platinum Suite. Located in The Topspring Stand and offering fantastic views of the pitch, your experience in The Platinum Suite will involve a three-course meal before the game, luxury armchair seats near the halfway line during it, refreshments at half-time and tea and coffee after the full-time whistle. There’s also a pay bar facility.
• No questions? Place a bet now.
• The TC-10 Restaurant. The club’s pitch-facing, glass-fronted restaurant offers an excellent hospitality experience, with pre-match entertainment hosted by former player Kevin Gage. You’ll get a two-course meal, a cinema style padded indoor seat, soup, tea or coffee at half-time and refreshments at full-time as well as access to a pay bar.
• The 125 Room. This is the more relaxed of the hospitality experiences on offer, with appearances from former players more than likely. You’ll get a padded seat, access to a hot buffet, free tea and coffee at half-time and a pay bar.
• Follow the link and get your prediction before the match starts.

Private hire

Bramall Lane bills itself as a multi-purpose venue and with six different lounges or bars to choose from alongside 29 executive boxes it’s easy to see why. The club’s corporate team can host any number of events, from exhibitions through to major functions and even weddings. If you’re in Sheffield and you’re hosting a special occasion then the home of Sheffield United should definitely be high on your list of places to consider.

Bramall Lane Hotels

Sheffield is a brilliant city to spend a bit of time in, with plenty of great hotel options available to you. Here are some of our favourites.

1. Novotel Sheffield Centre – £40+. 50 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PR. As well as a restaurant and a bar this member of the Novotel chain also boasts a fitness centre with an indoor pool, seven meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is less than a mile from Bramall Lane.
2. Copthorne Hotel Sheffield – £60+. Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU. The closest of all of the hotels – it’s actually on the same road as the stadium, the Copthorne has a fitness centre, a conference centre, a restaurant, a bar and free parking.
• Free sports predictions 24 hours a day.
3. Mercure Sheffield St Paul’s Hotel and Spa – £75+. 119 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2JE. Less than a mile from the ground is this Mercure hotel that boasts a restaurant, a bar, a full-service spa including indoor pool and free Wi-Fi.

Pubs & Bars Near Bramall Lane

Pubs close to the ground tend to be for home fans only. About a ten minute walk away at the bottom of Eccleshall Road is a Wetherspoons Outlet called the ‘Sheaf Island’. This good sized pub tends to have a mix of home and away fans. Nearby behind the Waitrose supermarket is the Beer Engine pub on Cemetery Road. This pub offers up to six real ales and serves food too. Whilst a little further away on Wellington Street is the Devonshire Cat.

This pub has around 12 hand pulled beers on offer, serves food, has a large screen tv, welcomes families (until 7pm)  and is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Although there are bouncers on the doors, away fans are allowed into the pub wearing colours. See the Devonshire Cat website for more details.

Near to the railway station there is the Globe pub around a five minute walk from the station and a 15 minute walk from the ground welcomed home and away fans as long as there was no singing. The majority of fans there are Chelsea and the doors are policed 2 hours before the game but it is a nice friendly pub serving good ale.

The Howard is a good pub for away fans. Service is very good and it’s well policed. This pub is also located near to the railway station, on Howard Street opposite. In the station itself is the Sheffield Tap which serves real ales and is run by the Thornbridge Brewery (please note though that no football colours are allowed).

Also worth a visit is the Rutland Arms on Brown Street. A real ale place only a few minutes from the train station and around a 15 minute walk then to Bramall Lane. If walking down to the ground from the station along Shoreham Steet, then you will pass the recently opened Sentinel Brewing Company. This pub brews its own beer on site and offers a mixture of real ales, craft beers in a modern environment. It also offers food too.

The pubs near to the ground such as the ‘Sheaf House’, ‘Railway Hotel’, the ‘Golden Lion’ and ‘The Cricketers’ are for home fans only. Otherwise, alcohol is available inside the ground in the form of plastic 500ml bottles of Carlsberg (£3.60) or 330ml bottles of Cider (£3.60).

History

Before it became Sheffield United’s home ground, Bramall Lane was used as a cricket field, with six different cricket clubs playing there. Football was played at Bramall Lane for the first time in 1862 when Sheffield Football Club went up against Hallam Football Club in order to raise money for the Lancashire Distress Fund. The ground was also used to host the final of the first known football tournament in the world, The Youdan Cup, with local team Hallam FC beating a Norfolk XI.