QPR have their first ever visit to the new Brighton stadium at Falmer approaching on Tuesday March 11 and if you're one of the fools heading down there, here's the usual tips and info.
Ground Name: American Express Community Stadium
Capacity: 30,250 (all seated)
Address: Village Way, Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9BL
Main Telephone No: 01273 878288
Ticket Office: 0844 327 1901
Head down towards Brighton from London on the of the M23, follow that onto the A23 towards Brighton and then take the A27 towards Lewes. The stadium is four miles further down that road on the right hand side. Leave the A27 onto the slip road for Falmer on the B2123. At the top of the slip road turn right and go back over the A27 and the stadium is right there. It’s 56 miles from Loftus Road.
The guide says there is no parking available at the ground, but limited parking is available for the disabled if booked in advance — preferably at least three working days ahead of the game — by calling 0844 327 1901. A large parking exclusion zone is in place around the stadium but the guide recommends heading for nearby Stanmer Park which is a five minute walk under the underpass and over the bridge at Falmer station.
Brighton would prefer everybody to use one of three park and ride set ups — at Mill Road BN1 8ZF, Brighton Racecourse BN2 9XZ and Brighton University BN2 4AT. Mill Road is easiest for QPR fans, just off the A23/A27 junction, however it’s therefore likely to be the busiest and only has 500 spaces. The park and ride operates from 17.30.
Brighton’s match tickets come with a free pass for local travel that extends as far north as Haywards Heath, so you only need to buy your tickets from London as far as there and free ride the rest of it. Falmer Station is literally right next to the stadium as well and is served by four trains an hour from Brighton towards Lewes an Seaford.
The good news stops there however. Fans have reported long queues at Brighton station for trains to the ground, and waits of more than an hour afterwards to get back — with the away end at the opposite end of the ground from the station it’s usually the away fans who are at the back of the queue unless they leave early.
Bus number 25 can be caught from Cardinal Square stop G in the middle of Brighton and runs every 12 minutes up to the stadium. Bus numbers 28 and 29 also run up there.
The official club coach will leave Loftus Road at 16.00 with no stop at the Target Roundabout. It is priced £26 for adults, £16 for seniors and young adults, £14 for under 16s and the usual £2 discount for season ticket holders applies.
The LSA is planning to runa bus from the Srpingbok but wants fans to call as soon as possible as they exect high demand. It will leave at 15.00 and charge £25 with £20 concessions. Call Gary on 07506 028 189 for details and to book.
Mel’s fun bus is apparently going to be in operation for this one — e-mail him as soon as possible on melh64@hotmail.co.uk for details and to register interest.
QPR have an initial allocation of 1,584 of which 619 remain and are now on general sale. These are priced £32 for adults, £24 for seniors, £18 for under 18s and £10 for under 10s. There are 11 wheelchair and ambulant disabled tickets priced the same. Disability access queries should be mae to James Twiddy in the Brighton supporter services team on 0844 327 1901 or at james.twiddy@bhafc.co.uk.
Links >>> http://www.footballgroundguide.com/brighton_and_hove_albion/index.htm>Detailed guide to Brighton’s ground >>> Official website
Tweet @loftforwords
Pictures — Action Images