Stamford Bridge away guide

Stamford Bridge sits on Fulham Road in south-west London, so there is no flying involved from anywhere in the UK: it is a train job. From Manchester take a direct train to Euston, then the Tube across, roughly three hours door to door. Away fans go in the Shed End in the south-east corner, allocation around 3,000, and the nearest station is Fulham Broadway on the District line, about five minutes on foot (Wikipedia, Football Ground Guide).

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

Stamford Bridge is a mainland ground, so there is no fly-to-a-hub-and-train-across routine here. The real choice from the north is quicker-but-dearer train against cheaper-but-slower coach, and both drop you a short Tube ride from Fulham Broadway. Flying only starts to compete from the far north of Scotland. Costs are return estimates and swing hard on how far ahead you book.

Because train and coach both terminate in central London, flying from Manchester makes no sense: by the time you add the airport run each end it is slower than the Euston train. From Heathrow the Piccadilly line takes you to Earls Court, where you change one level up to a Wimbledon-bound District line train for Fulham Broadway (Talk Chelsea).

Getting there from the airport and station

Fulham Broadway, the closest station, is on the District line and is roughly a 5-minute walk from the ground (Wikipedia). If it is overcrowded, Earls Court (District and Piccadilly lines) is one stop away and about a 15-minute walk (Chelsea Supporters' Group).

West Brompton (Overground and District line) and Imperial Wharf (Overground) are alternatives, each about a 15-minute walk (Football Ground Guide).

From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line to Earls Court, change one level up to a Wimbledon-bound District line train, then Fulham Broadway is two stops on (Talk Chelsea).

Where the away section is

Away fans sit in the Shed End. The league allocation is around 3,000, and for cup ties the whole Shed End, about 6,000, can go to away supporters (Football Ground Guide).

Chelsea Supporters' Group places visiting fans in the south-east corner across the Shed Upper and Shed Lower stands (Chelsea Supporters' Group). Brentford's guide puts the away section in the lower tier of the Shed End (Brentford FC). The away end has good acoustics and is often clearly audible on TV (Football Ground Guide).

Turnstiles, bags and getting in

The away turnstiles are in the south-west corner of the stadium, next to the hotel on Fulham Road. From Fulham Broadway, follow Fulham Road about 500 yards to the last entrance before the railway bridge (Chelsea Supporters' Group, Brentford FC).

Turnstiles open two hours before kick-off, and the advice is to be in your seat 30 minutes before kick-off to avoid delayed entry (Brentford FC). No bags larger than A4 are allowed and there is no bag storage at the ground, so travel light (Brentford FC).

Inside, kiosks and bars run early-bird offers, with hot food, alcohol and soft drinks at 4 pounds or less for up to 30 minutes after turnstiles open (Brentford FC).

Where to stay

South-west London hotels around Earls Court, West Brompton and Fulham put you within a walk of the ground, but London rooms are not cheap on a matchday. Earls Court is the sensible base for away fans: it is one Tube stop out, better for pre-match pubs, and easy to leave from afterwards (Chelsea Supporters' Group).

Where to drink

Most pubs right by the ground are home-fans-only with ticket checks on the door, so plan to drink one stop out around Earls Court rather than on Fulham Road itself (Football Ground Guide).

• The Courtfield Tavern, directly opposite Earls Court tube, spacious, welcoming and well used by travelling fans (Football Ground Guide).
• The Prince of Teck, Earls Court Road, relaxed and less heavily policed, a decent away-fan holding pen (Football Ground Guide).
• The Blackbird, Earls Court Road, a large Fuller's pub with room for a crowd and a full food menu.
• The Broadway Bar & Grill, Fulham Road near the tube, mixed crowd, big screens and sport on.
• The Goose, Fulham Road, big cheap pints and plenty of football chat, but it fills fast and can go home-only close to kick-off (Football Ground Guide).

Budget for London prices: a pint is commonly 6 to 7 pounds around here, cheaper than that if you find a Wetherspoon-style house. Avoid The Butcher's Hook, right by the ground, which is a home-support institution and not the place to be in colours (Football Ground Guide).

Where to eat

The Fulham Broadway shopping centre next to the tube is the quick-and-easy option, with chicken sandwiches, kebabs, poke and the usual chains under one roof (Football Ground Guide).

• The Fish and Chip Shack, Fulham, generous portions and the obvious pre-match plate. Fish and chips is the football staple to have here.
• Frankie's Diner, part of the Chelsea FC family, burgers, fried chicken and pulled pork (Football Ground Guide).
• Street Greek, freshly grilled Greek plates and open late for after the game.
• The Chelsea Corner, sit-down Italian with pasta, risotto, pizza and sharing plates.
• B Bagel Bakery Bar, fresh bagels and juices if you want something fast on the way in.
• 55 Restaurant, open for breakfast and matchday lunch through to dinner for a proper sit-down.

If you have time in London beyond the ground, the classics worth trying are a proper Sunday roast, pie and mash, or a full English before kick-off.

What to do

• The Chelsea FC Stadium Tour and Museum, with the trophy room, dressing room and players' tunnel, runs most days (Chelsea FC).
• The King's Road, a short walk east, for shopping, boutiques and pubs (Visit London).
• Chelsea Physic Garden, London's oldest botanic garden, dating to 1673 (Secret London).
• The Victoria and Albert Museum, one of London's great free museums, a short Tube ride away (Secret London).
• Chelsea Embankment and Albert Bridge for a free riverside stroll and a proper view (Secret London).
• Fulham Palace, the old country residence of the Bishop of London, now a free museum with gardens (Secret London).
• The Natural History Museum and Science Museum, both free, cluster with the V&A in South Kensington a few stops away (Visit London).

Getting away after the match

Walking back to Earls Court after the game is often just as quick and less crowded. Fulham Broadway gets very busy and its main entrance is closed to the public after matches (Chelsea Supporters' Group).

Away fans leaving via Fulham Broadway are moved along behind a guard rail and should keep to the right along Fulham Road (Chelsea Supporters' Group). Expect queues for trains after the final whistle, and check the TfL journey planner before travelling (Brentford FC).

Common questions

How do I get to Stamford Bridge from Heathrow airport?

Take the Piccadilly line to Earls Court, then change one level up to a Wimbledon-bound District line train, with Fulham Broadway two stops on (Talk Chelsea). Reckon on about an hour in total. Heathrow is the nearest major airport, so from overseas or the far north this is the usual arrival route.

Which airport should I fly into for a Chelsea away game?

If you are travelling from within the UK you generally would not fly at all: London has direct trains from almost everywhere, and Manchester to Euston is about 2h10 (Trainline). From overseas, Heathrow is nearest and best connected, with Gatwick and London City as alternatives. There is no hub-and-onward-train detour needed here.

Where do away fans sit at Stamford Bridge?

In the Shed End, in the south-east corner, across the Shed Upper and Shed Lower stands, with the lower tier used for league games (Chelsea Supporters' Group, Brentford FC). The away turnstiles are round in the south-west corner, next to the hotel on Fulham Road.

What is the away allocation at Stamford Bridge?

Around 3,000 for league games, in the lower Shed End (Football Ground Guide). For cup ties the whole Shed End, roughly 6,000, can be given over to away supporters. Overall capacity at the ground is 40,044 (Wikipedia).

What time should I get to the ground?

Turnstiles open two hours before kick-off, and the standard advice is to be in your seat 30 minutes before kick-off to avoid delayed entry (Brentford FC). Given the away end shares a tight approach on Fulham Road, arriving early is worth it rather than queuing as kick-off nears.

Can I drink in the ground?

Yes, in the concourse, not in view of the pitch. Kiosks and bars run an early-bird deal with hot food, alcohol and soft drinks at 4 pounds or less for up to 30 minutes after turnstiles open (Brentford FC). It is worth getting in early to catch that offer before the queues build.

How much is a beer near Stamford Bridge?

Expect London prices in the pubs, commonly 6 to 7 pounds a pint, cheaper in a big chain house. Inside the ground the early-bird deal caps drinks at 4 pounds for the first half hour after the turnstiles open (Brentford FC). Prices vary, so treat these as estimates.

Is the area around Stamford Bridge safe?

Fulham and Earls Court are affluent, well-policed parts of London and fine for away fans using common sense. The main thing is that pubs by the ground are home-only with door checks, so drink around Earls Court instead (Football Ground Guide). Keep colours sensible near the home end and follow the stewarded route out.

Where can away fans drink before the game?

Around Earls Court, one stop from the ground. The Courtfield Tavern opposite the tube is the away-fan standard, with The Prince of Teck and The Blackbird nearby as relaxed alternatives (Football Ground Guide, Football Ground Guide). Avoid The Butcher's Hook by the ground, which is a home-support institution.

Does my match ticket include free travel?

No. Unlike some European clubs, a Chelsea match ticket does not cover TfL travel, so you pay the normal fare. A single into Fulham Broadway from central London is about 2.90 pounds (South Western Railway). Contactless or an Oyster card is the cheapest way to pay.

How far is the ground from central London?

Not far. Stamford Bridge is in Zone 2, and the District line runs you into Fulham Broadway in roughly 20 to 40 minutes from most of central London (South Western Railway). From Euston, where the Manchester trains arrive, it is about 30 minutes by Tube via the Northern and District lines.

Where should I stay for a Chelsea away trip?

Earls Court is the sensible away-fan base: one Tube stop from the ground, better pubs, and easy to leave after the match (Chelsea Supporters' Group). West Brompton and Fulham also put you within a walk. London rooms are pricey on a matchday, so book early if you want a fair rate.

What is there to do beyond the football?

Plenty within a short Tube ride. The King's Road for shopping and pubs, the free V&A, Natural History and Science museums in South Kensington, a riverside walk along Chelsea Embankment to Albert Bridge, and the Chelsea FC stadium tour and museum if you want the club side of it (Visit London, Chelsea FC).