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Bradford City AFC Ground & Tickets

Ground: Valley Parade

Capacity: ​24,840

Location: ​Valley Parade, Bradford

Country: ​​United Kingdom


The Ground


  • Valley Parade, today officially known as the University of Bradford Stadium, has been the proud home of Bradford City A.F.C. since the club’s formation in 1903. Over more than a century, Valley Parade has become more than just a football ground, it is woven into the identity of both club and city.

  • With a capacity of just under 25,000, the stadium stands among the larger grounds in the lower divisions of English football. Its towering main structures and steeply banked stands create an intense atmosphere when full, and the roar of the home crowd has often carried Bradford City through their most memorable moments. Each stand brings its own story: the JCT600 Stand dominates one side with hospitality areas and executive boxes, the Kop Stand is the traditional heart of the loudest home support, while the Midland Road Stand stretches opposite, offering uninterrupted views of the pitch. The TL Dallas Stand, usually hosting away fans, completes the stadium, ensuring Valley Parade remains a venue that feels both imposing and intimate.

  • Though the stadium has seen extensive redevelopment — particularly after the devastating fire disaster of 1985, a tragedy that reshaped safety standards across the game — Valley Parade retains its character as a traditional English ground. Its mix of old and new embodies both resilience and evolution, reflecting the spirit of the club and its community.

  • Situated just north of Bradford city centre, the stadium is easily accessible by road and rail. For supporters, matchdays at Valley Parade offer not only the chance to watch football, but to gather in the surrounding pubs, cafes, and streets that come alive with claret and amber. 

Official Tickets


  • The primary channel for purchasing match tickets is the club’s official ticketing website, usually operated through eTickets. Visit the Tickets section on the Bradford City AFC official site to start.

  • Ticket Office. Open on matchdays or during specific hours.

Fanshop


The Bradford City Store

Valley Parade, Bradford, BD8 7DY

Opening Times

How to get to the Stadium


By train

  • Train to Bradford Interchange or Bradford Forster Square. Both stations are located in the city centre, and Valley Parade is within walking distance of either. From Foster Square distance: about ½ mile (10–15 minutes). From Interchange, distance: around 1 mile (20 minutes on foot).

By Car

  • Through the A650, M62 or A647. Parking Options: On-Street Parking: Limited around the stadium on matchdays, arrive early if you want a spot. City Centre Car Parks: several pay-and-display options within a 10–15 minute walk (e.g., The Broadway Shopping Centre, NCP car parks). Residential Areas: be mindful of resident-only zones and parking restrictions, traffic wardens are active on matchdays.

Airport 

  • Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)

  • Distance from Stadium: about 8 miles (13 km). Driving Time: 25–30 minutes by car/taxi (traffic dependent). Public Transport: Bus services connect the airport to Leeds and Bradford city centres, from where you can reach Valley Parade on foot, by bus, or short taxi ride.

  • Manchester Airport (MAN

  • 55 miles (90 km), around 1 hour 15 minutes by car

  • East Midlands (EMA) 

  • 85 miles (137 km), about 1 hour 40 minutes by car.

Around the Stadium


  • The Midland Hotel (Forster Square)One of the most popular stops for away fans in Bradford. Situated just by Forster Square Station and only a short walk to Valley Parade, it’s a grand, historic hotel bar with plenty of space and a lively pre-match buzz. Affordable pints, a mix of home and away supporters, and easy transport links make it a favourite first stop.

  • The Bradford Arms (Manningham Lane). Located close to the stadium, this traditional pub is always busy on matchdays. It has that proper football pub feel — noisy, atmospheric, and packed with Bantams fans. For those wanting to soak up the local passion right on the doorstep of Valley Parade, this is the spot.

  • The Corn Dolly (Bolton Road). A real ale favourite about a 10-minute walk from the ground. Independent, welcoming, and with a good selection of beers, it’s popular with fans looking for a more relaxed pint before kick-off. Expect plenty of football chat in a friendly, old-school setting.

  • The Sparrow Bier Café (North Parade). A stylish yet laid-back choice, around 15 minutes from Valley Parade. Known for its craft beers and continental lagers, it draws both locals and travelling supporters. Less rowdy than some of the more traditional pubs, it’s ideal if you’re after quality drinks and a calmer build-up.

  • The City Vaults (Hustlergate, City Centre). A busy city-centre pub about 15 minutes from the stadium. It’s a Greene King venue, meaning cheap pints, a spacious interior, and a lively atmosphere on matchdays. A solid option for groups meeting up before heading to the ground.

  • The Shoulder of Mutton (Kirkgate, City Centre). A short walk from either of Bradford’s main train stations and around 15 minutes from Valley Parade. Known for its no-nonsense drinks, matchday crowds, and traditional Yorkshire pub character, it’s often full of both sets of fans pre-match.

  • The Record Café (North Parade). Quirky and unique, offering craft beer, charcuterie, and even vinyl records. About 15 minutes from Valley Parade, it’s a popular meeting spot for fans wanting something a bit different. Always buzzing on matchdays but with a more alternative, relaxed vibe.

  • The Fighting Cock (Preston Street). A Bradford institution, around a 20-minute walk from the ground. Renowned for its selection of cask ales and traditional feel, it attracts locals and visiting supporters alike. It’s slightly off the main matchday trail, making it a good option if you want atmosphere without the crush.



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