Key facts
| Address | Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, Teeside, England |
| Postcode | TS3 6RS |
| Capacity | 33,746 seats |
| Club | Middlesbrough F.C. |
| Build Date | 26 August 1995 |
| Architect | Robert Michael Leslie-Carter |
| Average Attendance | 25,528 (Season 2017-18, Championship) |
| Record Attendance | 35,000 (England v. Slovakia, 11 June 2003, Euro 2004 qualifier, 2-1) |
| Stadium Cost | £16 million |
| Roof | Covers all seats |
| Who is the owner of Riverside Stadium? | Middlesbrough F.C. |
| Pitch Size | 105 m × 69 m |
| Where is Riverside Stadium located? | 54°34′42″N 1°13′1″W |
| Nickname | Nickname: the Riverside Former name: BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium |
| Surface | Grass |
Seating plan
The club’s first ground was Linthorpe Road but they moved from there at the beginning of the previous century. Middlesbrough F.C. played at Ayresome Park from 1903 to 1995 which certainly made it uneasy to say goodbye to that ground. In the 1990s Boro officials had a lot of debates concerning the idea to expand the club’s home ground. Finally, the decision to build a new stadium was made. It turned out to be England’s first football ground to be built in line with the Taylor Report.
Outside the Riverside Stadium’s main entrance you can find the former Ayresome Park gates. This detail is very symbolical and it represents the club’s continuous history. The ground has four separate stands which are called by the cardinal directions. At the west and the east, you can find the longside stands. Thus, the North and the South stands are located behind the nets. The West Stand is currently the largest one because it features £5 million corner extensions which had been added in 1998. The categories of seats are the following:
- Upper West Stand seats;
- West and East Stand seats;
- North and South Stand seats.
Middlesbrough F.C.’s stadium is a nice, cosy, and modern sports venue. Of course, we can’t list it among top stadiums hosting the UEFA Champions League finals and the World Cup matches. However, the England national U-21 football team played several games there. Also, the Riverside Stadium often hosts non-football events such as concerts, club’s anniversary celebrations, Christmas parties, Q&A meetups with Boro’s legends, and so on.
Tickets
Buying tickets can be a hustle, especially for the person arriving for the football game from another city or country. Smoggies love their football club and the best seats sell out at lightning speed. Luckily, we have Ticket Compare. It is a perfect timesaving solution which helps to hasten the ticket buying process. The site is very easy to deal with and reliable in any circumstances. Of course, that’s not the only option for you. Here are the other examples of how you can find tickets for the home matches of Middlesbrough.
- The official MFC’s website;
- Phone +44 (0) 844 499 1234;
- Ticket office at the stadium – only on matchdays.
The ticket prices depend on the seat’s location but the price range isn’t essential. Upper West Stand seats are the priciest ones. Category B matchday tickets currently cost £32-36, while category A tickets range from £37 to £41.
Hotels near
There are more than enough hotel options in the central part of Middlesbrough. The Riverside Stadium is located close to the cinema, shopping centres, parks, and other major attractions. Therefore, you can stay within walking distance from pretty much everything in Middlesbrough. The following tips should help you to find the best place to stay in the city during your football journey.
Cheapest offers
- Metro Inns Teesside – is a pretty basic place to stay overnight in Middlesbrough but it’s also very cheap – only £32 per night. The staff members are friendly and the rooms are clean. The distance to the ground is about 4 miles.
- Highfield Hotel – provides excellent accommodations in Middlesbrough for £64 per night. The distance to the stadium of the Smoggies is less than 2 miles. It’s a very welcoming place with a nice restaurant and excellent breakfasts.
Highest-rated
- Holiday Inn Express Middlesbrough – is one of the best properties in the city costing £96 including breakfast. It’s a super cosy hotel in a central location. It is around a 17-minute walk away from the Riverside.
- Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough – is also situated in the heart of the town within a 15-minute walk from the football ground. If you want your stay in the city to be truly fabulous then you should consider this inn. The professionalism of the staff is beyond all expectations. The price is £99 per night.
- The Baltimore Hotel – is a modern and finely equipped venue with spacious rooms located at Middlesbrough Downtown within walking distance from the Riverside Stadium. At a price of £86, it’s a bargain.
How to get to
Middlesbrough’s football ground is located a short walk away from the city’s centre. There are plenty of different transportation options for those who need it. Below you’ll find some helpful instructions for your trip to that city.
By Bus – take the bus line 39 if you need to get to the football stadium from Middlesbrough Bus Station. The lines 5, 5A, 8, 9, 10, 28, 28A, 62, 64, and 64A also have their stops not far away from the venue.
By Car – because of the gameday road closures, it’s preferred to use a sat nav while you’ll be driving to the stadium. The ground’s address is the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS.
By Train – Middlesbrough Railway Station is a 15 or 20-minute walk away from Boro’s stadium.
By Plane – Durham Tees Valley Airport is also known as Teesside Airport. It is located 12 miles away from the Riverside. This small airport is connected with Amsterdam and some of the UK’s cities. The closest major airports to Middlesbrough are Newcastle Airport (50 miles) and Leeds Bradford Airport (62 miles).
Parking
Gameday parking at the ground is very limited and is only available to permit holders. However, there is always a solution. The approximate matchday paid parking price near the sports venue in Middlesbrough is £3-7.
Eating out nearby
Middlesbrough is definitely not the most famous foodie destination that should be on your list. However, the local dishes won’t upset you either. The city offers many good cheap eats as well as premium venues for the gourmets.
Pubs, bars & cafes
- The Navigation Inn – is literally seconds away from the ground. Therefore, their bar is always packed with Smoggies on the important matchdays. They have five large-screen TVs. Also, they have recently installed a giant projector to attract even more crowds to this amazing bar.
- O’Connells – is a wonderful pub located 20 mins’ walk from the stadium. The place is nothing flashy inside but the food is great and you’ll love their prices.
- The Six Medals – is another nice pub near the ground of Middlesbrough F.C. Their food tastes great and there is also a reasonable vegetarian menu. They also have plenty of parking which is especially important before the kick-off.
Restaurants
- Mannequin Cafe C.I.C. – is around a 15-minute walk away from the Riverside. It’s one of the best city’s cheap cafés serving Polish and other European meals and doing it right. The place is small and popular so you may want to book a table in advance.
- Turtle Bay – is such an idyllic Caribbean venue that you will hardly remember that you are still in Middlesbrough at the end of the dinner. If you like reggae, rum cocktails, and holiday atmosphere, you will become a fan of this restaurant. The service is also extraordinary.
- Persian Cottage – is a short drive away from the Smoggies’ home ground. It’s another foodie’s heaven in the city featuring authentic Persian food and the service of the highest quality.
Things to see at the stadium
Middlesbrough FC’s ground boasts of good food, convenient facilities, friendly staff, and its lovely atmosphere. It’s a must-see venue even for those travellers who are not football fans. Therefore, as a football enthusiast, you’ll definitely enjoy your visit to the Riverside.
Tour
The home of the Boro offers standard tours on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Adults only have to pay £10 and concessions get a 50% discount. However, if you arrive in Middlesbrough during the school holidays don’t miss your chance to take a VIP tour featuring special guests and even the first team players. It’s incredible that the VIP Tours are also very affordable and only cost £16 (£8 for concessions). You can find more information regarding MFC’s stadium tours on the club’s website.
Fan store
MFC Official Retail Store is located at the Riverside. It usually works from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. More information on the shop’s schedule during the holidays and events is published at the club’s official website. Boro’s merchandise and personalized gifts are also available online.
Things to do in Middlesbrough
In past times, Middlesbrough was the city of steel and coal industry. In fact, today it is filled with technological establishments, old houses with romantic open terraces, lovely boutiques, and vivid entertainment venues of the vibrant town centre. Another thing to enjoy there is contemporary art including impressive public art patterns. And of course, there are numerous parks where you can have a picnic, play mini-golf, and simply enjoy the marvellous greenery.
Sightseeing tour
Hop on hop off buses are not present in Middlesbrough. The town centre is compact and can be easily explored by feet. However, if you love nature you should take one of the tours exploring the city’s neighbourhoods. There are so many things to love about England’s Teesside. Middlesbrough is surrounded by primaeval landscapes with plenty of adventurous opportunities ranging from hiking and bird-watching to seeing the curious faces of grey seals.
Top 3 places to visit
Tees Transporter Bridge and Visitor Center – is surprisingly the world’s longest working transporter bridge. Take a guided tour, enjoy the views from the glass lift, and see Middlesbrough from a new perspective.
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum – is home of the world-known mariner and navigator. The unique and replica artefacts presented there brightly illustrate the amazing pages of our history. It is a real treasure for all people loving romantic and risky voyages.
Roseberry Toppings – is a 20-minute drive away from the city’s centre but it’s a completely different world. This beauty spot can be enjoyed solo or with the family. Get ready for a good walk. Stunning views of Middlesbrough and beyond will be your reward.
