Capacity: 22,000
Stadium Address: Cardiff City FC, Sloper Road, Cardiff, CF11 8SX
Highest Attendance: 61,556 Wales v England, October 14th, 1961
Ticket Information: 0845 345 1400
Official Programme: £2.50
The Ground Itself:
Ninian Park is an old-fashioned football ground that was in desperate need of redevelopment before the arrival of Sam Hammam. In Cardiff’s eighteen-year absence from the second tier of English football, the ground became dilapidated, but it at last got some attention when the Lebanese businessman bought the Bluebirds.
Away fans are housed in the John Smith’s Grange Terrace, which is split between away and home fans. Cardiff’s unpleasant flirtations with hooliganism in their past means that the club have erected a large fence and netting structure to help avoid trouble from erupting. As the name suggests, the stand is terracing, which means standing room only. The stand used to be open to the elements, but Mr. Hammam paid for a roof, which was nice of him.
Sitting opposite the away end is the ultra old style Spar Family Stand. This small all seating stand has stanchions across the front of it, has no character and basically looks tired. The Grandstand sits adjacent to the pitch, and is far and away the smartest stand at Ninian Park. It is a double tiered, all seater affair that houses the majority of home fans. Lastly, The Popular Bank (pictured) is another old-fashioned stand that is made up of seating and terracing.
The Welsh Assembly recently approved proposals for Cardiff to move to a new 30,000 all seater stadium in the Leckwith Athletics stadium, which is only a stones throw from their current home. Hammam’s ambitious plans for the club centre on the new stadium, which will cost a reported £100m. The stadium is said to be able to house 60,000 fans eventually.
Want a drink?
Away fans are generally advised to be extremely vigilant in and around Cardiff on match days, bearing in mind Cardiff’s violent past. Please avoid pubs near to the ground that are heavily populated by City fans, instead go to the city centre where there are more visitor friendly pubs.
Parking
There is a huge car park situated at the ground. For directions to Ninian Park, please visit CardiffCity.com by clicking here.