Nottingham
Capacity 30,602 (all seated)
On the banks of the river trent, the City Ground has been the proud home of Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898. With an an all seated capacity of 30,602 the ground was used as a venue in the Euro '96 tournment and often plays host to other non sporting events such as music concerts. It is the second largest stadium in league one, and the seventh largest outside the premiership.
The oldest "Main Stand" was built in 1957, although largely rebuilt after a fire broke out on August 24th, 1968 during a league game against Leeds. Thankfully no one was injured during the blaze. The stand now holds 5,708 home fans, with the A-Block providing the most noise down by the away end.
The "Executive Stand", now called "Brian Clough Stand" was built in 1980, largely from the proceeds of Forest's unforgettable back to back European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980 under the the late, great Brian Clough. With a a capacity of 10,000, including 36 executive and hospitality boxes represents the biggest part of the stadium.
The Bridgeford Stand was redeveloped in 1992 and now has a capacity of 7,710, with the lower tier holding upto 5,131 away fans (although typically this is reduced even further as away support is significantly lower in league one).
The most recently developed stand (just in time for Euro '96) is at the opposite end of the ground, right on the banks of the River Trent, and is so aptly named "The Trent End" with a capacity of 7,338.
Unlike more and more grounds around the country the city ground still sells alcohol inside, along with the standard range of typical football snacks such as pies, pasties, bovil, chocolate etc. The Trent end and Brian Clough stands also have TVs showing Forest World and Sky Sports News so you can keep upto date on the days other games.
There are several pubs around the ground. The nearest is the Trent Bridge Inn (or known locally as the TBI) and is strictly home fans only - with doormen to stop any rival fans getting in. With 3 bars and various big screen TVs and projectors its a good place to grab a pint before the game, and even has its own beer garden (car park) that backs onto the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground - lovely in the summer.
On the other side Trent Bridge itself is the Casa, which also has a beer garden out the front, with great views of the stadium, as well as up and down the river. The Casa allows both home and away fans, and also has a couple of big screen TVs showing the football so the atmosphere is normally fairly good.
Away fans tend to drink in the Larwood and Voce behind the Circket Ground, but this has seen become home fans only. This leaves either the Meadow Club (Notts Country Supporters Club) or the Stratford Haven. However the City Ground sells alcohol in all four stands so you can always get a pint inside. Failing that the City Centre is a short taxi/bus ride away (20-30 min walk) with plenty of pubs and bars.
From the North:
Leave the M1 at junction 26 and pick up the A610 Nuthall Road into Nottingham. Continue onto the A6514 Ring Road at Western Boulevard and turn right and follow the Ring Road South, which becomes the A52. Travel over Clifton Bridge, past the Nottingham Knight Island to join the Lings Bar Road at the next traffic island. Continue to the Gamston Island and then turn left into Radcliffe Road (A6011). Turn right into Pavillion Road for the ground.
From the East:
Take the A52 Radcliffe Road into Nottingham following signs for Trent Bridge. Approaching Trent Bridge is a major intersection, bear left remaining on Radcliffe Road and take the next right into Colwick Road.
From the South:
Leave the M1 at junction 24,l on the A453 towards Nottingham. At the Clifton Bridge complex follow signs for the A52 Grantham past Nottingham Knight Island to join the Lings Bar Road at the next traffic island. Then as north.
From the West:
Take the A52 into Nottingham, then follow signs for Melton Mowbray and A606 Trent Bridge. Cross the river, then as north.
Bus:
Line 12 & 90 (from Colin Street - Broadmarsh Shopping Centrer).
Train:
Nottingham Midland Railway Station is less than a mile from the stadium (15 minutes walk).