What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans have been moved for the 2014/15 season and are now located in the North East corner of the stadium, where up to 2,600 supporters can be housed, although the initial allocation is half that number. This initial allocation are for seats in the East Stand itself. If the allocation is increased to the full 2,600 then the away section extends around the North East Corner into the first couple of blocks of the North Stand. The facilities available are good, plus there is an unobstructed view of the playing action, although fans are a little set back from the pitch. I found the atmosphere to be also generally good within the stadium. On the concourse alcohol is available, plus burgers, Hollands pies (£3) etc..
Dave Winsor a visiting Nottingham Forest fan adds; 'Our seats were roomy and comfortable with a raised behind the goal view. Plenty of leg room and helpful stewards along with a nice fat matchday programme and a really good selection of food and drink from the concourse all contributed to the favourable impression. An interesting ground with much more to it than the usual depressing flat pack stadium of some other designs'.
Please note that the stadium has been designated a no standing area, which on the face of it seems a little ridiculous. This has led to some unpleasant confrontations between away fans and stewards, so you have been warned. Craig Waites a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'On my last visit I felt the Policing was over the top. It was like going back to the 1980's'. Owen Robson a visiting West Ham United fan informs me;
'The West Ham fans stood up throughout the entire game, without any hassle from stewards or Police. I presume this was because of the huge away support on that day.'
Where To Drink?
Tim Jones a visiting Aston Villa supporter informs me; 'The Brickmakers pub virtually opposite the stadium car park entrance allows in away fans. It has a good atmosphere and the Hull fans there were friendly. It also has a big screen showing Sky Sports and a burger van outside'. Whilst fellow Villa fan Neil Tate adds; 'There is also the nearby Walton Street Social Club that also admits away supporters. Although it costs £1 to go in, it has good cheap beer, is of a good size and offers a separate area for sale of food such as burgers and chips etc.. There were plenty of fellow Villa fans in there during our recent visit. Turn right out of the main car park entrance and it is down the road on the left hand side.'
There are a number of other pubs within a few minutes walk of the stadium, but these are all designated as being for home supporters only. Most Hull fans still seem to be heading for pubs situated around Boothferry Park. These are best avoided by away fans particularly the Silver Cod pub. Otherwise you can head for the nearby City Centre, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Sam Carroll suggests 'Bowers' (formerly called the 'Linnet & Lark') on Princes Avenue. As Sam says; 'It has lots of TVs showing Sky Sports, making it perfect to watch the early or late kick off games. It is a 15 minute walk away from the stadium, going across the pedestrian footbridge over the railway line. Also there are a number of other bars dotted along Princes Avenue, which should be okay for away fans to drink in. These include PAVE, which has a great selection of beers from all around the world and quality food. Look out for their "matchday special" pint, pie, peas and mash for just £6. There is ample parking in the streets off the avenue. Closer to the stadium around a 15 minute walk up Walton Street, is the Avenues pub on Chanterlands Avenue, that welcomes both home and away supporters.'
Robert Walker adds; 'If you are walking to the stadium from the City Centre there are several pubs on Spring Bank, including the Editorial and the Tap and Spile. Or there is the Admiral of the Humber (a Wetherspoons outlet) on Anlaby Road near Hull Paragon Railway Station'. This Wetherspoons pub is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Andy Beill adds; 'I'd recommend The Punch Hotel pub. It is situated in the town centre next to the Princes Quay shopping centre, so not far from the train station. It does great homemade food'.
Otherwise alcohol, Carling & Marstons are served within the stadium at £3.20 per pint. However for some high profile matches, the club do not provide alcohol to away supporters.
How To Get There & Where To Park
From The West:
At the end of the M62, continue onto the A63 towards Hull. Stay on the A63 and the stadium is clearly signposted (KC Stadium and a football symbol) as you approach Hull. About one mile from the centre of Hull leave the A63 (just after you pass B&Q on the opposite side of the carriageway and is sign posted Local Infirmary) and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout. Turn left at the lights and then over the flyover, right at the next lights and the ground is down on the right.
From The North:
Leave the A164 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. The stadium is 3 miles down this road on the left.
From The South:
Take the M1 to Junction 21A take the A46 exit to Braunstone Frith/ Kirby Muxloe/ B5380 then keep right at the fork, follow the signs for A46 Newark and merge onto A46 and follow it to just past Lincoln and at the roundabout take the first exit for Humber Bridge and then at the third roundabout after about 21 mile onto the A15 take the Third Exit for the M180/ Humber Bridge and then take the M180 to Junction 5 and take the sign for Hull/ Hull Airport then at the roundabout take the second exit onto the A15 and cross the Humber Bridge (cost £2.50 for Cars £4 for Buses) then at the roundabout take the third exit (Signposted City Centre) and then turn left at the lights and then over the flyover, right at the next lights and the ground is down on the right.
Car Parking
Jo Johnson informs me; 'the stadium has its own massive car park right next to the stadium, with access from Walton Street. It is floodlit, with a covered surface (that is, not a mud bath) and open to home and away supporters alike. If you get there early and want to go into the City centre, there is a park and ride bus to and from the car park. The cost of parking at the stadium is £5. It's easier to park at Hull than at any ground I know of - but there is one drawback, namely, getting away again at the end of the game. It can take up to half an hour or more, if you park a long way from the exits'. Tony adds; 'There are two exits from the car park onto Walton Street after the game. The right hand exit is often the quickest to leave by. As you turn right out the car park, this leads to Spring Bank West, where you have to turn left. Follow this road onto the next roundabout and turn left into Calvert Lane. Cross one set of traffic lights into North Road then at the next set of traffic lights turn right onto Boothferry road (you'll see the old Boothferry Park floodlights just off to your left). This takes you onto the A63'.
Alternatively there is a Park & Ride facility signposted off the A63 (shared with home supporters). Many fans opt to park in one of the many town centre car parks and then walk out to the stadium. Chris Bax adds; 'It is perhaps easiest is to park at the Infirmary (clearly signposted from the A63) where parking is only £5 for 4 hours. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the ground from there'.
Whilst Robert Walker adds; 'The most convenient car park in the city centre is the Pryme Street multi-storey car park, which is open to 7.30pm. Leave the A63 at the Myton Street exit and head North towards the city centre. You will pass Paragon station on your left. At the next traffic lights turn right into Spencer Street and then immediately left into Prospect Street and follow road round to the right into Pryme Street. Car park entrance is on right. There is also an NCP car park at the end of Pryme Street and Council surface car parks off Freetown Way. To walk to Stadium cross over Ferensway and walk along Spring Bank. Turn left onto Derringham Street by Polar Bear pub and then right onto walkway to the stadium'. Marcos Brown-Garcia tells me; 'The housing estate directly opposite the Hull Royal Infirmary offers lots of free on street parking spaces. This estate has no parking regulations.'
Please note that some residential areas near to the stadium have been made residents only parking zones, so don't park there as you may well end up with a parking fine. John Womersley adds; 'There is some street parking less than five minutes walk away. Leave the A63 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. Pass Boothferry Park and forward onto Anlaby Road towards the Hull Royal Infirmary, You will pass the KC stadium on your left. Go over the flyover, and turn right at "The Eagle" pub into Coltman St then take the 2nd right into Cholmley St then 4th right into the Boulevard. There are many side streets without parking restrictions. To get to the ground simply walk to the top of the Boulevard and go up the pedestrian walkway to the stadium. To Get home simply go the other way down the Boulevard, then left into Hessle Rd, after 1/4 mile you'll come to a roundabout which takes you onto the A63 (Clive Sullivan Way) and M62.
Post Code for SAT NAV: HU3 6HU
By Train
The Stadium is around a 20 minute walk away from Hull Paragon station. Turn left at the end of the railway station platform and then left into the bus station (without going outside the station). Exit the bus station at the far end. Walk past Tesco on your right, cross over Park Street at the traffic lights. Following blue pedestrian signs to KC Stadium go along Londisborough Street (where there is a handy fish and chip shop). Cross Argyle Street and onto pedestrian walkway and bridges over railway lines to stadium. For away end turn right at the bottom of steps. Thanks to Brian Scott a visiting Ipswich Town supporter for the directions.