Bloomfield Road

Ground Information

Bloomfield Road has undergone a total redevelopment over the last 10 years. The South stand was finally completed in March 2010 and with the completion of the temporary East stand in time for the start of the 2010/11 season, capacity has risen by as much as 40 percent since last season with a sell out now a modest 16,000. Atmosphere shouldn't be hard to come by and acoustics within the stadium are excellent. Once the stadium is complete it'll be a tidy little place to visit. There is a new supporters bar under the Jimmy Armfield South Stand that's also worth a look.

Here is some information on the individual stands themselves:

The Armfield South Stand - Named in honour of Jimmy Armfield, this stand cost about £8.5 million to build and officially opened in 1925.

The Matthews Stand - Named after former Blackpool great Sir Stanley Matthews, this stand runs along one side of the pitch and contains the players’ tunnel and dressing rooms.

The East Stand - This temporary structure was installed after the club were promoted to the Premier League and normally houses the away fans. However sometimes it is closed unless attendances are good.

The Mortensen North Stand - Only one player ever scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup final at the old Wembley, and that player was Stan Mortensen, who this stand is named after. It is more commonly known as The Kop and contains Blackpool’s designated Family Section and the shop.

Away fans

Visiting supporters are situated in the Stan Mortenson North Stand behind one of the goals where 2,500 away fans can be accommodated. The stand has some decent facilities with good toilets and catering outlets.

Away pubs

There are a number of pubs within 10 minutes walking distance of the ground. The Old Bridge Inn on Lytham Rd, the Swift Hound on the Odeon Cinema Complex or The Waterloo which is south of the ground are all very hospitable pubs. A short walk down Bloomfield Road, away from the seafront, will bring you to The Bloomfield, at the junction with Ansdell Road.

Just along Bloomfield Road in the direction of the Promenade is The Old Bridge. A lively pub that allows away supporters in. Turn left at The Old Bridge and there is a Wetherspoons pub called The Auctioneer, near Blackpool South Station, with cheap beer and decent food.

Car Parks & Public transport

There are three large car parks surrounding the stadium with the biggest of which believed to have been the largest football car park in Europe at one time, which should make parking very easy. It is however quite expensive to park in any of these and if you're trying to save the pennies then there is street parking, but you'll need to be prepared to walk 10 or so minutes in to the stadium unless you arrive early and find one of the few available in closer proximity.

The town has fantastic rail and bus links with the main station for coaches next to the stadium making access to and from the ground very easy if you choose not to travel by car, or even if you choose to park further away.