QPR have visited the Liberty Stadium three times now since it was built, and never once on a Saturday at 3pm. That continues this season and if you’re breaking your Christmas up by heading down there on December 27 here are the usual hints and tips.
Ground Name: Liberty Stadium
Capacity: 20,500 (all seated)
Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA
Main Telephone No: 01792 616 600
Ticket Office: 08700 400 004
By Car: From London it’s M4 and ‘go west’ all the way into South Wales, then off at junction 45 and onto the A4607 following signs for the city centre. Stay on that road for about two and a half miles and the ground should magically appear before you. I can’t honestly see traffic being a problem for a 5pm kick off on December 27, but in the past we’ve avoided queues at junction 45 by going off one earlier at junction 44, and then following the A48 (first left at the top of the slip road) over one roundabout and past the Dylan Thomas pub (avoid, probably the worst pub in the entire country) to the A4067, then turn left and follow that to the ground. Somewhere around the 185 miles mark from Loftus Road.
Map:
Click map to visit Google and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking: It’s a brand new stadium this, 20,500 seats so guess what? That’s right, no car park for away fans. Permit holders only at the ground and all the guides say it’s residents permit holders only in the streets in the immediate vicinity although we have managed to get parked for free on the street very close to the away end on our last two visits so don’t rule it out as an option. You could try for street parking further afield or use the dreaded park and ride facilities at Swansea Vale shortly after leaving the M4 at junction 45 - £5 per car including travel to the ground. The guide strongly discourages you from parking on the nearby retail park, apparently the ticket issuers are a bit keen. On our last two visits we approached the ground on the dual carriageway, as soon as we saw it we dived off to the right onto Cwm Level Road and parked at the side of a road no problem at all – straight out afterwards as well.
By Train: Well, it’s another fixture in Swansea that you will struggle to do by train because of the date and kick off time. It’s not impossible – the last direct train runs at 1929, about half an hour after the end of the game, but the station is a long hike from the ground – a good 25 minute walk to the ground so a taxi or bus would be advised on the way back if you are going to try and make it – numbers 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132 run to the stadium.
If you do miss it there is a 1952 that gets back to Paddington at 00.33 with changes at Cardiff and Bristol Temple Meads. With a journey time of just over three hours the last train there you can catch and make the kick off is the 12.42. There are four direct services running before that, all leaving at 42 minutes past the hour from Paddington, starting at 0842.
You can still book this journey for £43.50 return based on travelling out at 0842 and coming back at 1952 with the two changes and extra late arrival home. Any of the other trains out there, coupled with the more sensible 1929 back to London afterwards, are £65.50. The walk up and pay off-peak return fare is £69.
Pubs: The Northern R’s ended up in the Dylan Thomas a few seasons ago as it is one of the first pubs you see when you drive in – the food was disgusting, the service was appalling and the place was filthy. If you are arriving by car this year drive right past the revolting hell hole. There are apparently no pubs within walking distance of the stadium that admit away fans on police advice, games in South Wales do always seem to be a bit tasty police and trouble wise. All the usual Wetherspoons, Yates etc are located on Wind Street in the centre of the city near Castle Gardens, No Sign Bar is the place for real ale enthusiasts. Last season, without colours it must be said, we went in the Harvester right next to the ground. The problem is this is more of a restaurant than a pub so 90 per cent of the space is taken up by tables for people to eat. That means that people there just to drink cram into the tiny bar area around the door as you walk in. For the last couple of seasons we’ve told them we want to eat, waited 30 minutes for a table to become available, and then ordered three courses and coffee to drag out the time we were allowed to sit down before being moved on. There was some unpleasantness last season when we slowly made our way back to the salad bar for a fifth helping. All in all, as usual with new grounds, the choice is narrow and the quality absolutely awful when it comes to places to eat and drink.
Coach: The official club coach is leaving Loftus Road at 11am with a pick up at the Target Roundabout at 11.30am. The coach is priced £31 adults, £20 for seniors and young adults and £18 for juniors with the usual discounts for season ticket holders. No news on an LSA coach as yet.
Tickets: As ever, Swansea are insisting that this is an all ticket game. They’ve done this every time we’ve visited this ground and every time there has been a cash turnstile open. While Flavio Briatore was busy jacking the post-promotion prices up at Loftus Road Swansea kept theirs pretty level. QPR have 2,055 tickets for sale here priced £35 adults, £17.50 seniors, students and Under 16s. The wheelchair and disabled tickets allocated to QPR for this game have now sold out. Tickets are on general sale until Friday December 23.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to the Liberty Stadium >>> Swansea Official Website >>> Last season’s Awayday Review
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