We visit Middlesbrough for the first time since 2017, although the ground hasn't changed since then, some of the information has, so even if this isn't your first visit to the Riverside, you might want to have a quick catch up.

The Ground

The stadium was first opened in August 1995 and was one of the first waves of larger new football stadia, it originally held 31,000 but they quickly filled in a couple of the corners to add 5,000 extra seats to bring it up to its current capacity of just over 35,000.

Three sides of the stadium are built in the "bowl" style similar to Pride Park and Stoke's Brittannia Stadium, with the main stand being of a different design with two tiers.

The Away Section.

Visiting supporters used to be housed in the South Stand behind one of the goals, but now they have been moved to the East Stand (towards the South East corner) at one side of the stadium and up to 3,000 can be accommodated here, the sight lines are very good with as you would imagine no stanchions etc obstructing the views.

In the past policing and stewarding has been quite vigorous with a sometimes draconian reaction to standing etc, although reports in recent years suggest that this has relaxed a little, we advise you to be careful as in the past both police and stewards have been known to eject first and ask questions later.

Middlesbrough is not a particularly hospitable place and care should be exercised not just around the ground but in the pubs both before and afterwards.

Getting There

By Car

Take the usual routes up to the M1 and then head north on this motorway, in the area of Leeds follow directions to the A1M signposted Teeside Newcastle etc, stay on the A1M till its junction with the A168 signposted Teeside & Thirsk, head on this road till it joins with the A19 and follow this road right into Middlesbrough and then follow signs to the football stadium which is fairly near the centre on the main ring road.

Parking

Although there is no parking for cars at the Stadium itself unless you have a pass, there are plenty of private car parks offering facilities in the vicinity of the ground, although it should be noted that its notorious for the time it takes to get out of the area, sometimes up to 45 minutes after the final whistle.

The ground is about 1 mile of 15 minutes from the town centre and there are plenty of car parks there that do offer an easier escape after the game, possibly at a cheaper rate than near the ground.

Post Code for the stadium SAT NAV: TS3 6RS

By Coach

Our friends at Nicks Saints Away Travel still have some space on their coaches to the game if you are either making a late decision to go or don't fancy a long drive yourself.

By Train

The train station is in the Town Centre around 1 mile or 15 minutes walk from the ground, which is well signposted.

Drinking etc.

In the direct vicinity of the Riverside there is literally nowhere to have a drink apart from in the ground itself, Corporation Road a main road leading into the town centre has plenty of pubs most of which are away fan friendly, as long as you aren't too loud or obnoxious and is about a ten minute walk from the Riverside, Doctor Browns a big pub that has Sky TV etc and is a favourite amongst visiting supporters on this road being the designated away pub.

f you like real ales and the smaller micropub craft breweries, then you are in luck. As in Middlesbrough Town Centre, there are five Micropubs, all located very close to one another. They are; the Infant Hercules (Grange Road), Sherlocks, The Slaters Pick, The Twisted Lip (all in Baker Street) and the Devil’s Advocate (Borough Road).

There are a few pubs around the train station as well, but unless you have come by train its a bit of a walk and you would literally have to walk past the pubs of Corporation Road to get there.

Riverside Stadium

Capacity: 34,742 (all seated)
Address: Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS3 6RS
Telephone: 01642 929420
Ticket Office: 01642 929421
StadiumTours: 0844 499 6789
Pitch Size: 115 x 75 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: Boro
Year Ground Opened: 1995

Photo: Action Images

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