Liberty Stadium – Swansea City

The Club moved to the Liberty Stadium in 2005, after spending 93 years at their former Vetch Field home. Built by Interserve for a cost of around £30m, it is located near to the former site of the Morfa Athletics Stadium on the West side of the River Tawe. The stadium was christened White Rock by the Swansea residents but was renamed the Liberty Stadium under a corporate sponsorship deal.

Although fairly conservative in its design, the stadium is still impressive. It is completely enclosed with all four corners filled with seating. Each of the four stands is two-tiered and three are of the same height. The West Stand at one side of the pitch is slightly taller, having a row of 28 corporate hospitality boxes, situated above the upper tier. The Club’s offices are also located behind this stand. An unusual feature is the great use of transparent roofing towards the South End of the stadium. This allows more natural light into this area, making for an interesting effect. There are a couple of large video screens located in the opposite South East and North West corners. Outside the stadium at the South West corner, by the club shop and ticket office, is a statue of former Swansea legend Ivor Allchurch. The stadium is shared with Ospreys Rugby Union Club.

The Club have put in a formal planning application to extend the capacity of the Liberty Stadium to 34,000. The first phase of the developments would see an additional tier being added to the East Stand, increasing the number of seats by 6,000. This would be followed at a later stage with additional tiers being added to both ends of the stadium. No time scales have been announced as to when these developments would take place.

Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium.

David McNeil informs me; ‘As a West Brom fan on holiday in Swansea, I visited the new stadium for the first League game against Tranmere. The stadium is very impressive and the facilities inside the stadium are excellent. Large concourse and great views from the stands. The atmosphere generated by the Swansea fans was excellent throughout the 90 minutes and it will become an intimidating place just as the Vetch used to be. Pre-match entertainment was enjoyed by my kids especially the antics of Cyril the Swan. Great day out, would love to visit the ground again when West Brom plays there’.

Tickets will not be sold to away supporters by Swansea City on the day of the match, so do not travel unless you already have a ticket from your own Club. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Swansea fans are passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating atmosphere. Exercise caution around the ground.

Steve Griffiths adds; ‘On the nearby retail park, there is a KFC & Pizza Hut – within five minutes walk. Opposite the stadium is a very nice chippy called ‘Rossi’s’. As well as the usual chips with fish, pies, sausages, etc.. they also do salads and jacket potatoes’.

Phil Weston a visiting Stoke City fan informs me; ‘The Liberty Stadium is a lot more friendly than the old Vetch Field. Stoke fans were drinking in The Harvester and Frankie & Benny’s just outside the ground and a couple of the pubs just up from the stadium’. John Ellis a visiting Leicester City fan adds; ‘Just a few minutes walk away from the stadium on Llangyfeleach Road, is the Plough and Harrow, which admits visiting fans, There was a good mixture of both home and away supporters on our visit.’ Nobby Nowland a visiting Bristol City fan informs me; ‘Within ten minutes walk of the stadium is a newly opened microbrewery called Boss Brewing which serves great beers and burgers. You can also park there for free if available. I found it very friendly and visiting fans were welcomed.’

Otherwise, it is a choice of a drink on the way to Swansea, go into the city centre or drink inside the stadium.  Merv Williams informs me; ‘There are a number of pubs on Wind (pronounced as winding a watch) Street in the centre of town, such as Yates, the Bank Statement and the No Sign Bar (the latter being listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide). Ask for Castle Gardens, and you’ll see Wind Street’. The Ivorites Arms on Dinas Street has also been recommended to me.

Alcohol in the form of Carling lager and Worthington bitter are served within the stadium. The Club opens the turnstiles 90 minutes before kick off so that fans have the option to eat & drink within the stadium itself.

In stadium terms, the Liberty – or as it’s officially known, the Swansea.com stadium – is relatively new given it was only opened in 2005. Even so, a couple of minor rejigs have taken place since then to squeeze in a few hundred more seats for spectators. Of course, Swansea have an extensive history that predates the Liberty Stadium as well. It was all spent at the same place though, Vetch Field. The stadium was opened in 1912 to coincide with the formation of Swansea Football Club. Over the years the stadium grew from being formed by mounds of dirt to actual stands with double tiers but, despite a strong feeling from the Swans’ fan base, it eventually had to come down; the place Swansea had called home was demolished in 2011 – 99 years after opening.

Leave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the A4067 towards the City Centre (signposted A4067 South). Stay on the A4067 for around two and a half miles and you will reach the stadium on your left. Car parking at the stadium is for permit holders only and most of the immediate residential areas around the stadium now have ‘residents only’ parking schemes in place. However away minibuses and coaches can park behind the North Stand in a fenced compound, at a cost of £20 per coach and £10 per minibus. Don’t be tempted to park on the nearby Morfa Retail Park as it has a time limit for parking of 90 minutes, so you may well end up with a parking fine if you then stay for the duration of the match. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Liberty Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Away Fans Park & Ride Facility

Away supporters are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility located at the Felindre old steelworks, which is signposted off Junction 46, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £10 per car. Away supporters have their own separate buses to and from the stadium, with the buses waiting outside the away stand at the end of the game to take supporters back to the car park. Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan adds; ‘The park and ride is located in the middle of nowhere, but curiously has a high fence. Apparently, the facility is also used as a park and ride for the DVLA so the fencing may be for the benefit of their staff. There are toilets on the site although they do look rather ancient. All the staff were friendly and the buses frequent. After the game has ended, the park and ride buses leave the compound with the away coaches for fairly obvious reasons. In my case, this meant a wait of around 20 minutes’.

There is also some street parking to be had. If coming from the M4, you pass the stadium on your left and continue straight on towards Swansea, then after going under a bridge, then there are a number of roads on the right, where on street parking is available. It is then around a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. However, please note that after the game has ended the Police close the A4067 road running past the stadium, meaning that you can’t go back up to the M4 that way. You need to instead go back up to the stadium and where the road is closed turn right at the roundabout onto the A4217. At the next roundabout turn left continuing away from Swansea City Centre. At the junction with the A48 turn right and this takes you up to Junction 44 of the M4.

Andrew Bartlett a visiting Southampton fan adds; ‘I intended to use the park and ride and followed the signs but found the site to be a desolate wasteland with flooded potholes, not very inviting at all. Instead, I drove onto the stadium and despite the dire warnings found free on street parking only a few minute’s walk away and almost traffic free after the match. The level of security and large Police presence was completely unnecessary for such a low key game’.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SA1 2FA

Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the Liberty Stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £7) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise, if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right. Thanks to Tom Evans for providing the directions.

After the match has ended the Club provides a bus service to take away fans back to Swansea Railway Station. Shown with the destination ‘Town Centre’ it costs £2.80 single of £4.50 return per person.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Zeelo is running direct coach services for home fans travelling to Liberty Stadium. With the poorly connected public transport and tiring drive, Zeelo offers a hassle free service straight to the stadium. Travel in a comfortable coach, with a guaranteed seat and soak in the atmosphere with other fans. This family-friendly service has special rates for seniors and children with prices starting from as little as £5.50 return. Check the Zeelo website for more details.

Experience one of the biggest club matches in the world live – the Madrid derby!

Kings of Europe Real Madrid take on their city rivals Atlético in the magnificent Santiago Bernabéu in April 2018. It  promises to be one of the most popular fixtures of the Spanish season. However Nickes.Com can put together your perfect dream trip to see Real vs Atlético live! We will arrange a quality city centre Madrid hotel for you as well as coveted match tickets to the big game. Prices will only rise as matchday looms closer so don’t delay! Click here for details and online booking.

Whether you are a small group planning a dream sports break, or seeking wonderful hospitality for your company clients, Nickes.Com has 20 years of experience in providing unforgettable sporting trips. We offer a whole host of packages for La Liga, Bundesliga, and all major leagues and cup competitions.

Book your next dream trip with Nickes.Com!

All areas of the Liberty Stadium
Adults £30
Concessions £17.50
Under 16’s £15

Concessions apply to Over 60’s, Under 16’s and Full Time Students (ID required at turnstiles).

Home supporters can gain further discounts on these prices by becoming club members.

Disabled supporters are admitted at the relevant price above, a helper is admitted free.

Please note that tickets for the away section are not on sale on the day of the game, but must be purchased in advance from the visiting club. 

Official Programme ‘Jack Magazine’ £3
Swansea Oh Swansea Fanzine £1
A Touch Far Vetched Fanzine £1

Swansea vs Cardiff rivalry

Swansea vs Cardiff is unquestionably the biggest game of the calendar for Swans fans when the fixture list comes out. The two of them are the major clubs in Wales but their rivalry breaks those borders with the derby day considered amongst the most heated in the United Kingdom.

In addition to Cardiff, clashes between Swansea and the two Bristol clubs – City and Rovers – can also bring about derby day like banter. Labelling those games as bonafide rivalries would be a tad strong though.

Swansea City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

26 spaces for wheelchair away supporters are available in the North Stand at the front of the upper tier. There is a lift on the concourse of this stand to help disabled fans gain access. Five car parking spaces are reserved for visiting disabled fans at the stadium, at a cost of £10 per vehicle, but these must be booked in advance through your own club. Additionally there is a disabled drop-off bay by the stadium and the ‘Park & Ride’ scheme is wheel chair accessible. Disabled fans pay the full adult ticket price, but the helper goes free.

Record Attendance

At The Liberty Stadium:
20,972 v Liverpool, Premier League, 1st May 2016.

At The Vetch Field:
32,796 v Arsenal, FA Cup 4th Round, 17th February 1968.

Average Attendance
2019-2020: 16,151 (Championship League)
2018-2019: 18,737 (Championship League)
2017-2018: 20,623 (Premier League)

Official Web Site: 

www.swanseacity.com

Unofficial Web Sites:

Planet Swans

Vital Swansea (Vital Football Network)

www.scfc.co.uk

Swansea oh Swansea

Social Media

Official Club Facebook Page

Official Club Twitter Feed

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.

Special thanks to:

Owen Pavey for providing the ground layout diagram.

Haydn Gleed for providing the YouTube video of the Liberty Stadium.

The Liberty Stadium Away Visitor Guide Video – Is the Official Guide video produced by Swansea City FC and distributed via YouTube.