Directions & Parking
Leave the M1 at Junction 21, or if coming from the Midlands, follow the M69 until the end of the motorway (which meets the M1 at Junction 21).Take the A5460 towards Leicester city centre. Continue on this road, until you go under a railway bridge. Carry on for another 200 yards and turn right at the traffic lights into Upperton Road (sign posted Royal Infirmary) and then right again into Filbert Street. The new stadium is visible just behind the old Filbert Street ground.
Allow yourself a little extra time to get to the ground as traffic does tend to get quite congested near the stadium. Plenty of street parking to be found (especially around the Upperton Road area), although as Greg Barclay warns; 'don't double park as the traffic wardens tend to have a field day at every match'. Alternatively you can park at Leicester Rugby Club (£3) which is a ten minute walk away from the stadium.
For a map showing the location of the ground click here.
To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here.
Direction's from the Train Station to the ground
The train station in the city centre is walkable from the ground and should take you around 20-25 minutes. There is normally a heavy Police presence around the station.
Thanks to Philip Draycott for providing the following directions from the station to the ground;
'Come out of the station, cross the road in front of the station and proceed to the left. Follow this round to the right and now you are walking with the main Central Ring Road (Waterloo Way) on your left. Keep this to your left as the pavement becomes a separate path and the road sinks down into a dip down to your left. A quick left and right to stay on the pathway as it crosses New Walk and you go down the left hand side of New Walk Museum. The pathway rejoins the main road as pavement again and you see a small recreation ground (Nelson Mandela Park) on your right. Turn right into Lancaster Rd and then cross the park to the crossings over the main road by the public lavatories. Head for the Victory pub opposite (not recommended for away fans), turn left across the front of the Leicester Royal infirmary. First right into Walnut St and you can see the stadium behind the old Filbert Street ground'.
What's the ground like?
In August 2002 the club moved into its new home, only a stone's throw away from their old Filbert Street ground. The stadium was built by Birse Construction at a cost of £35m, is completely enclosed with all corners being filled with seating. The sides are of a good size, built in the same style and height. Running around three sides of the stadium, just below the roof, is a transparent perspex strip, which allows more light and facilitates pitch growth. On the remaining side is a row of executive boxes. Completely encircling the stadium and hanging from the roof itself is a collage of player images, along with adverts for the sponsors of the stadium, Walkers. There are also same basic looking (red LCD display) electric scoreboards at either end.
Like most new stadiums, this is functional but lacks character. I don't know whether I'm starting to suffer from 'new stadium fatigue' having visited so many in the last few years, but to me it seemed somewhat bland looking both inside and out. However, it does have one redeeming feature - atmosphere. The acoustics are very good and both sets of supporters can really make some noise, making for an enjoyable visit.
What is it like for visiting supporter?
Away supporters are housed in the North East corner of the stadium, where just over 3,000 fans can be accommodated. The view of the playing action is good (although you are set well back from the pitch) as well as the facilities available. The concourse is comfortable and there is your normal range of hot dogs, burgers and pies available (including the Pukka Balti Chicken pie £2.20). However no alcohol is available in the away section (bitter & lager are both available in the home areas).
Paul Groombridge a visiting Gillingham fan adds; 'From the far upper seats of the away section, the view was pretty good, though from there, you'd probably complain of being too far away from the action (I thought it was okay). One good thing about being at the top of the away section - you can use the plastic transparent panels as pretty good drums when singing!'
I have received a number of reports of away fans being treated somewhat heavily handed by the local constabulary around the stadium and of some even being 'frog marched' from the railway station to the ground. Although these measures may be deemed necessary, in order to prevent violent disorder, is doesn't do much for the overall away day experience at Leicester. Stuart Bible informs me; 'Just to confirm that the Police presence at Leicester Station is completely over the top. As a visiting QPR fan recently we were 'guided' to the Hind Pub & promptly asked to drink up at 2pm. All 25 of us were then escorted by 38 Police (I counted them) a Dog & 3 Police vans. Of the 25 were 3 children under 10! They should save their heavy handedness for the day that there might be a real threat of trouble'.
Ground Layout
Where to drink?
The ground is walkable from the city centre (15-20 minutes), where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Most of the pubs near to the stadium are home fans only. In particular the Victory and Turnstile pubs should be avoided by visiting supporters. Plus the 'Half Time Orange' pub located just over the road from the away end, is a members-only Leicester City bar.
Andy Jobson a visiting Southampton fan informs me; 'Probably the best bet for away fans is the Counting House pub on Freemens Common Road. It has a good mix of both sets of supporters, with all the normal facilities on offer'. Beaumont Fox adds; 'This pub is located just off the Aylestone Road, past the Local Hero pub (home fans only) and the Mecca Bingo Hall. It does though exclude away supporters when the game is deemed to be a 'high profile' one'. Peter Moss a visiting Liverpool supporter continues; 'On my last visit the Counting House was only admitting home fans. I would though like to recommend the 'Pride Of Leicester' pub which is near to the Victory pub and Leicester Rugby Club. This was the nearest pub to the stadium that we could find for an away fan to drink in'.
For those arriving by train then 'The Hind' pub across the road from the station serves a selection of real ales. Please note that alcohol is not served to away fans inside the stadium itself.
Record and average attendances
Record Attendance:
At Walkers Stadium
32,148 v Newcastle United
Premier League, December 26th, 2003.
At Filbert Street
47,298 v Tottenham Hotspur,
FA Cup 5th Round, February 18th, 1928.
Average Attendance:
2003-2004: 30,983 (Premier League)
2002-2003: 29,231 (Division One)
At Filbert Street:
2001-2002: 19,835 (Premier League)
Article courtesy of footballgroundguide.co.uk
Leicester City (Walkers Stadium) Directions & Information
The Walkers Stadium