Home to Nottingham Forest FC since 1898, The City Ground is steeped in football history and sits dramatically on the banks of the River Trent. Just 300 yards from Notts County’s Meadow Lane, it forms part of one of football’s closest rivalries—at least in geography. The immediate future, the venue will play host to the England national team as they play Senegal in an international friendly.
1. The Basics
• Stadium Name: The City Ground
• Location: West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2
• Capacity: ~30,455
• Opened: 1898
• Home Team: Nottingham Forest FC
• Unique Features: Four distinct stands with character, lop-sided Bridgford roof, riverside Trent End, safe-standing areas, and famously tight proximity to Meadow Lane.
2. First Impressions of the City Ground
• Expect a passionate, vocal crowd, especially with Forest back in the Premier League.
• Forza Garibaldi leads impressive visual displays.
• It’s a blend of historic charm and evolving ambition, with future plans to expand to 38,000+ seats.
How to get to the City Ground
- Best option: Walking or bus from Nottingham city centre (20 mins).
- Nearest station: Nottingham Railway Station (~15 mins walk), with a subsequent walk.
- Nearest tram stop: Queens Walk (Meadows) – however it’s a 20+ minute walk from there.
- Driving: Avoid if possible—limited parking. Some side-street options in West Bridgford.
Tickets for Nottingham Forest and the City Ground
• Buy from: Forest’s official website.
• Prices: ~£30–£50 depending on opposition.
• High-demand games: Register early; limited general sale due to a strong season ticket base.
• Away fans: Typically housed in the lower Bridgford Stand.
Where to Sit in the City Ground
• Brian Clough Stand: Best views, main home support.
• Bridgford Stand: Lively, includes away fans, safe standing.
• Peter Taylor Stand: Oldest, houses tunnel & directors’ box.
• Trent End: Modern, backs onto river, home of Forza Garibaldi — a must for full matchday vibe.
6. Pre-Match Food
• Top Picks if you’re looking for The Best Burger in Nottingham:
- Bohns Best Burgers – England’s best burger bar (2022 & 2023).
- MESA Hockley – home of the famous cheeseburger.
- Secret Burger Club – for something different, if you can find them.
• Options range from gourmet to grab-and-go. Food trucks often appear on matchdays.
7. Best Places to Drink
• Craft beer hubs:
- Neon Raptor (Sneinton)
- Black Iris (Basford)
- Castle Rock Brewery + Vat & Fiddle
- Historic pubs: Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem — claims to be England’s oldest.
8. Inside the Ground
• Food: Classic pies and pints. Basic but improving.
• Drink in seats? Usually no alcohol in view of the pitch (UK law).
• Toilets: Mixed reports – older areas less polished.
• Queues: Manageable with recent improvements.
9. The Team
• Forest’s back in the Premier League after 23 years.
• Style: Combative, organized, with flashes of attacking flair.
• Players to watch: Squad changes often, but keep an eye on standout youth and internationals.
• Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo might not the most popular manager in England but he’s more than earned his stripes in Nottingham (for Forest supporters, anyway), by taking the club back to European competition.
10. Beyond Football
• Landmarks: Nottingham Castle, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and the National Justice Museum are nearby.
• Neighbourhoods: Hockley for bars, Sneinton Market for indie vibes.
• Great for: A full weekend or a solid day trip from London (~1hr 45min train).
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