Southampton – St Marys Stadium
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St. Mary’s Stadium is all-seater, with a capacity of 32,689. Construction started in December 1999 and was completed at the end of July 2001, with work on the stadium and improvements to the local infrastructure costing some £32 million. The stadium is totally enclosed by 4 single-tier stands of equal height.
At the rear of the Chapel (South), Kingsland (West) and Northam (North) Stands, there is a continuous, translucent panel designed to allow light to access the pitch. There are two large screens at either end that can be seen from all parts of the ground. About a half of the Northam Stand is allocated to away supporters.
How to get to St. Mary’s Stadium
By Road:
St. Mary’s Stadium is located in Britannia Road, Southampton SO14 5FP.
Drivers should exit the M3 at junction 14, joining the A33 towards Southampton. Follow the A33 as far as its junction with the A3024, turning left towards Northam. Turn right onto Britannia Road (B3038) where the stadium is located.
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By Rail:
Southampton Central station is about 1½ miles and a 30-minute walk from St. Mary’s Stadium. A shuttle bus service operates to the ground from the bus stop immediately outside the station. Click here to check the current train timetables
By Air:
The nearest airport is Southampton, within 3½ miles of the ground, with regular rail connections to Southampton Central station. Click here to check the current flight times
Where to Park?
There is little parking available at the ground and restrictions operate around it on match days. As a result, many visiting fans use car parks in the city centre. However, traffic after a match is horrendous, leading to lengthy delays in getting away.
Several fans have recommended parking in the marina area known as “Ocean Village.” This can be reached by heading along the coast on the A3024 and M271/M27 and is only a 10-minute walk for the ground. Parking is plentiful and there is a pub on the complex along with several food outlets.
Away Friendly Pubs near St. Mary’s Stadium
Choice of pubs for away fans is limited as there are few near the ground. However, several visitors have recommended the Coopers Arms, on Belvedere Road, about 10 minutes from the stadium. Other nearby recommendations include the Admiral Sir Lucas Curtis and the Waterfront Bar, both of which offer a hospitable mix of home and away fans.
Alternatively, the city centre offers several pubs recommended by visiting supporters. Away fans can be assured of a friendly welcome at the Station, the Prince of Wales and the Eagle. However, it is worth remembering that these are a good 20-minute walk from the ground. Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.
Hotels near St. Mary’s Stadium
Opened in 2005, the Jurys Inn, 1 Charlotte Place, Southampton SO14 0TB is located in the city centre overlooking East Park, one mile from Southampton Central Station. Its air-conditioned rooms feature modern decor with blond wood furniture and warm-coloured fabrics. All are equipped with satellite TV, tea and coffee trays and high-speed Internet connections. Guest reviews suggest this hotel offers excellent value for money.
The Holiday Inn Southampton, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton SO15 1HJ is also centrally located, with air-conditioned rooms and free parking, offering panoramic views of Southampton Waterfront. Located close to the M3 and M27 motorways, this modern hotel offers en suite rooms, a health and fitness club, restaurant, bar and lounge.
What have other Away Fans said about their trip to St. Mary’s Stadium?
Most fans appear to have enjoyed their visit to St. Mary’s. Many have commented on the excellent view of play from the away section, with no supporting pillars and seats with ample leg room. Most report an excellent atmosphere within the ground, but this has not been the case for all.
Several away supporters have reported being intimidated by the extremely vocal home fans who are only separated by netting on the seats. Others reported a complete lack of stewards in the away section. Facilities are generally described as good, though several visitors have reported the lack of room for getting to toilets and catering outlets, while others have highlighted the potential danger of blocked access areas
We visited St Marys in 2005. Getting to the ground was a bit of a nightmare by road for a couple of reasons – we were staying in Poole and decided to drive in, parking in the “football park and ride” car park. I think on a normal day that would give you a pretty clear run, however on this day one of the main roads from Poole to Southampton was closed for roadworks, and it was also the first day of the Southampton Boat show, meaning the city centre was also gridlocked.
When we finally got to the P&R, it all worked pretty smoothly from there, although there were horrendous queues for the buses after the game, some of which were attacked by Southampton “fans” and which seemed to crawl back to the P&R car park.
The stadium itself is pretty impressive, although rather “bowl-like” in appearance. The view of play cannot be faulted, and we were very close to the home fans, which made for an excellent atmosphere (much more than the footie itself which was a 0-0 draw).
I was really impressed with the speed at which food and drink was served in the ground. No sooner had you ordered, than your grub and booze was plonked in front of you by someone else, and you handed your money over – Why can’t every ground understand that waiting until someone’s ordered 3 pints and then pouring 3 pints isn’t going to work when you have 1,000 people all wanting a drink in the hour before the game?
I’d certainly come back to St Marys, but I’d check that it’s not the bloody boat show and that the roads are open next time!
I’ve visited St Mary’s twice to watch PAFC – once on a saturday afternoon and once for an evening game – both games finished 0-0 !
I drove in for the Saturday game and I concur that parking anywhere near the Stadium is a nightmare – I followed a Southampton fan that I knew and we ended up parking nearby in a scrapyard specifically opened for the game and was charged £10, by my recommendation would be to park in the City centre and get in another way.
For the evening game, I stayed at The Jury’s Inn hotel which was excellent. A short walk to the ground and missed all the traffic trying to get away afterwards – much more civilised.
The ground itself is excellent – no pillars to spoil the view and very good legroom for the seats (I’m 6′7″ tall & I was comfortable). The facilities in the ground are very good, with beer being sold alongside pasties, pies, burgers etc.
Overall, one of the better away grounds that I have visited – I would definately go there again.
There is a good park and ride scheme for away fans travelling to Southampton. If you come off the M27 at junction 8. the away car park is signposted. Go down by Tesco’s and turn round at the roundabout. The car park is I think £ 5 and Southampton provide buses to take you to the stadium. They then operate a suttle service, and also after the game back to the car park.
There is no need to find car parking in the centre of Southampton unless you want to go shopping, its easier, and convenient for the journey home afterwards.
Went to St Mary’s for the first time on August 7th and can’t say much wrong. Ground is of Premiership standard and food and drink service is of top quality. The two sets of fans are very close together which gives a great atmosphere to the ground, and view of play can’t be faulted, stewards seem to only intervene when necersarry and home fans seem friendly and relaxed outside the ground. Only bad point is getting into the ground by coach is very slow and top and start with alot of traffic lights. Overall a well worthwhile trip !