Chelsea have always played their home games at Stamford Bridge, since the foundation of the club, and it remains one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe to this day.
Stamford Bridge can be found to the west of the heart of London, not far north of the River Thames that cuts through the capital. With a central location, Stamford Bridge is one of the most popular places in London to see a Premier League football match.
It is where stars like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho became legends of the game. It was iconic captain Terry who scored a fantastic header to seal a stunning Champions League defeat of Barcelona on this ground in the 2004-05 season.
A visit today gives a chance to see some of the stars of the future in person with players such as Reece James surely set for a superb career in the game.
For those who are yet to experience the joys and the thrill of a match at Chelsea’s famous home, what is the best way to get to Stamford Bridge and leave the ground after the game?
Keep in mind if travelling to Stamford Bridge via the air that there are items you will not be able to take into the game due to security reasons such as umbrellas, tools and selfie sticks. There are no storage facilities at Stamford Bridge and large bags should not be taken into the stadium.
Bags will be searched if you need to take them into the stadium. Left luggage is available at the nearby Fulham Broadway station, or you could potentially use your hotel if you are staying over.
- Stamford Bridge, Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 1HS, United Kingdom
- Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/rKCyFbSCGa6PbPSi7
Getting to Stamford Bridge by Train, Bus or Underground
The London Underground will be the best way to get to Stamford Bridge for most football fans.
Fulham Broadway Station
As mentioned above, Fulham Broadway station is the closest station to the stadium and it is less than a five-minute walk for most people. Fulham Broadway can be reached on the District line.
Alternative Routes to Stamford Bridge
Alternative routes to Stamford Bridge could include taking the Overground from either “West Brompton” or “Imperial Wharf”, both of which are around 15 minutes away.
They can both be used to get to “Clapham Junction Station”, which is one of the key hub stations on the Tube.
Outside Stamford Bridge on the Fulham Road there are two bus stops that can be used by fans who are going to see a Chelsea game. The number 14, 211 and 414 buses serve this stop.
Keep in mind that public transport is likely to be very busy on a match day and factor in extra time for your journey as a result.
As an example, it would usually take around 35 minutes to reach Stamford Bridge from King’s Cross, but this time could double on a busy Saturday due to many extra people using the Tube.
Driving to Stamford Bridge with a Car
As Stamford Bridge is quite close to the centre of London, it will not be a surprise to find parking is difficult close to the stadium.
Resident parking restrictions are in operation in the area on match days, so it is likely to be very hard to find a place to park, especially close to kick off.
Also keep in mind that Fulham Road is closed before and after Chelsea games, resulting in an increase in traffic around the stadium.
If you need to travel in the car to Stamford Bridge, it would be recommended to park further away from the stadium and use a bus, taxi or Tube to make the rest of the journey.
Chelsea Wharf has secure parking around 15 minutes’ walk from the stadium, but it may be necessary to book a space in advance to avoid the risk of it filling up before the game.
Getting to Stamford Bridge from the Airport
International visitors flying in to see Chelsea play are likely to land at one of the two main airports serving London: Heathrow and Gatwick. Heathrow is more useful for Chelsea as it is on the same side of London, while those who land at Gatwick Airport have quite a long trip across the city in order to get to Stamford Bridge.
Getting to Chelsea from Heathrow Airport
Those who arrive at Heathrow for a Chelsea fixture face a journey of around 50 minutes to get to the stadium. Take the Piccadilly line from Hatton Cross Station at the airport and change to the District line at Earl’s Court Station. Get off after a couple of stops at Fulham Broadway, which is very close to Stamford Bridge and less than five minutes away from the stadium.
Getting to Chelsea from Gatwick Airport
Reaching Stamford Bridge from Gatwick will likely take a little over an hour, so leave plenty of time when planning your journey from the airport. The best route to Stamford Bridge is to take a Southern train from Gatwick Airport Station to Victoria Station, where you catch a District line train on the London Underground to get to Fulham Broadway, which is close to the ground.
Getting to Chelsea from the London City Airport
London City Airport is also around an hour away. Take the DLR to Bank from London City Airport then take a short five-minute walk to Cannon Street Underground Station to get on the District line towards Fulham Broadway.
What Time Should I Arrive at Stamford Bridge?
First-time visitors will want to allow enough time to soak up the atmosphere, so it is recommended to arrive at least an hour early.
The Fulham Road has a lot of stands selling memorabilia so those who want a memento or two from their trip should take a walk down this street to get to Stamford Bridge.
The stadium itself has a megastore selling all of the latest branded gear, though it does get busy close to kick-off so get there early if you know you want to pick up a new Chelsea shirt.
You can get food and drink inside the concourses if you did not eat before the game, while there are various pubs within a short walk from the ground for those who want to get a drink first.
“The White Horse” Pub, Pre-Match Warm Up for Home Fans
The White Horse is a personal recommendation. This pub usually gets quite lively in the build-up to games and is very popular with home fans. The White Horse is a brisk 15-minute walk to the south-west of Stamford Bridge and can be found next to Parsons Green Station on the Tube.
Leaving Stamford Bridge After the Game
Although Fulham Broadway is the closest station to Stamford Bridge, it will get very, very busy after the game. It can take half an hour or more to get on a train due to the crowds.
So, a personal tip is to instead head to Earl’s Court, which is about 15-minute walk but will be much less busy. Most people will find it is quicker to get away with this route.
It also depends on which direction you are going in which station is best to use as there is plenty to do around Stamford Bridge after a typical afternoon game on a Saturday.
Where to Hang Out Before or After a Game at Stamford Bridge
“Love Walk Cafe”
Fulham is packed with excellent food and drink options, so it depends on your budget where you should go after the match. “Love Walk Cafe” on Jerdan Place is an affordable spot for a bite to eat, with American and English-style breakfasts both on offer at this location.
“The Imperial Arms” Pub
“The Imperial Arms” is also highly recommended. On a Sunday they serve one of the best roast dinners in this part of London, so consider checking it out. Fulham Broadway Station is home to the Oyster Rooms pub, which is very cheap compared to a lot of other options as it is part of the Wetherspoons chain. Cafe Brazil, Jak’s and Megan’s are all close and good for post-game food.
“The Butcher’s Hook” Pub
The Butcher’s Hook is the closest pub to the ground and, as such, it does get very busy. But it is a comfortable spot to soak up the pre-game or post-match atmosphere. If you get a seat! Popular Chelsea songs such as Blue is the Colour and Blue Day might well get an airing here.
“Frankie’s Sports Bar & Diner”
“Frankie’s Sports Bar & Diner” is even closer, within the stadium itself, while Under the Bridge, which is right underneath Stamford Bridge as the name suggests, sometimes has some cool events on so it is worth checking the schedule to see what is on when you are visiting.
King’s Road, Chelsea (shopping and night clubs)
Chelsea FC is also close to the King’s Road, which is one of the most fashionable shopping locations in the world, while “Mayfair” is great for celebrity-spotting and hip nightclubs such as
- “Mahiki”
- “Cirque Le Soir”
- “Toyroom”
- “Tape”
- “Drama” – our personal favourite
Places to Stay Near Stamford Bridge
Classy Hotels Near Stamford Bridge
Visitors can stay at the stadium itself with the “Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea FC” making up a part of the impressive Stamford Bridge complex.
This 231-room hotel includes access to the 5-star Chelsea Health Club & Spa, but it is expensive as well. First-time visitors may well feel staying at “Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea FC” makes it a total experience that is well worth the money, however. Note: since those hotels are associated with the club, it is not possible to make delivery of secondary market tickets to the reception of those hotels.
Those looking for luxury and with a big budget to spend should consider “Crowne Plaza London – Battersea” or Hotel “The Nadler Kensington”, both of which have excellent reviews from visitors.
Affordable Hotels Near the Stadium
Cheaper options for Chelsea fans wanting to stay near the stadium include “Amsterdam Hotel” and the “Queen Elizabeth Chelsea hotel”, while the popular budget chains “Premier Inn” and “Travelodge” have some decent options to pick from that are close to Stamford Bridge as well.
Central London is a short Tube ride away with all sorts of accommodation to suit any budget too.