Stadium MK – Milton Keynes Dons

Stadium MK was opened in 2007 and in my opinion, it is a ‘cut above’ some other new comparable stadiums, in terms of quality and standards of spectator facilities. From the outside, it has a modern look, with good use of silver coloured cladding and a large amount of glass on view. The most striking feature of the stadium is its roof, which sits high up above the football ground with a large gap between it and the back roof of seating. This allows more natural light to reach the pitch. The stadium is totally enclosed and has a bowl-like design.

The overall look of the stadium has recently benefited from the installation of seating into the previously unused upper tier. It certainly now looks a large and imposing stadium, one that is worthy of football at a higher level. It is two-tiered, with on three sides having a large lower tier being overhung by a smaller upper tier. The West side of the stadium is slightly different, with the seating areas in the upper tier being replaced by the Director’s Box and executive and corporate hospitality areas. Unusually the spacious concourse areas at the back of the lower tier see directly into the stadium, so there is what seems a noticeable gap between the lower and upper tiers is where the concourse is located.

Away supporters are normally located in the upper tier of the stadium in the North East Corner, where around 3,000 fans can be accommodated. If demand requires it then the North Stand upper tier behind the goal can also be allocated as well as the lower tier. This generous allocation has led to some huge away followings at Stadium MK in recent years, which has led to some memorable away days. For example, in January 2018 Coventry City had around 8,000 fans in attendance. On the further plus side, the stadium is a quality one i.e. it has not been built on the cheap. So the facilities are first class. The stadium also has such creature comforts as big ‘Emirates Style’ comfy seats and the ability to continue to watch the game in progress, whilst eating a burger on the concourse. The view of the playing action and leg room are both good and the atmosphere not bad. The concourses are spacious and offer a good range of food. Like a number of new stadiums though, its main drawback is location, It is located adjacent to the A5, but well away from the centre of Milton Keynes, so there is little on offer in the way of pubs. Very nearby though are KFC & McDonalds outlets, plus recently opened behind the North Stand, is an Odeon Cinema that also has several eating places out front. The stadium also has electronic turnstiles, so no paying at the gate here. Instead you gain entrance by putting your tickets into a bar code reader to gain entrance.

Alan Burgess, a visiting Sheffield Wednesday fan adds; ‘the seating is marvelous both for comfort and leg room, the concourses very impressive and the sight lines fantastic. The food was the standard football ground offering but at least the serving areas were plentiful and well organised; there wasn’t a bad atmosphere either from a crowd of 6,500 (though the PA system is deafening) and I can’t end without a tribute to the bogs – separate, wide entrances and exits, plenty of space, soap and hot running water – luxury!. A cut above almost all of the modern football stadiums’. James Brook informs me; ‘Away fans can buy tickets on the day by gates 3 and 4. All fans are searched on entering the stadium and flags are not allowed in unless they come with their fire certificate!  The Club operates automatic turnstiles, where you have to put your ticket (which has a barcode on it) into a slot reader and a green light will signify that one can enter. This should be done speedily as the revolving turnstile will then come up behind you and whack you on the backside, which has left some fans rather bemused. Programmes are bought outside the stadium.’ Food available on the concourse includes a selection of Ginsters pastries; Cheese and Onion Pasties, Peppered Steak Pies, Chicken & Mushroom Pies and large Sausage Rolls (all £3.80). Also on offer are; Flame Grilled Cheeseburgers (£3.80) and “Mom’s Fabulous Hot Dogs” (£3.80).

In keeping with the infamous concrete cows of Milton Keynes, the Club have a mascot called Mooie, whilst the South Stand is called the ‘cowshed’. No wonder that the locals have christened the stadium ‘The MooCamp!’

Unfortunately, the choice of drinking establishments for away fans near the ground has become limited. Both the Red Dot bar, attached to the Hilton Doubletree Hotel, at the stadium itself and the nearest pub; the ‘Inn on the Lake’ (previously called the Beacon), both no longer admit visiting supporters. If you are looking for something to eat as well as a drink, then on the Retail Park surrounding the stadium there is a choice of Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, TGI Friday’s and Pizza Express.

If arriving at Bletchley Railway Station then nearby, is the Park Inn and Bletchley Working Mens Club (Saturdays only, see advert below). Just turn left out if the station entrance, then left along the main road. After passing under a railway bridge, you will see both these venues on the right hand side. Please note though it is then a good 35-40 minute walk to the stadium. Also in central Bletchley is the Postal Club on Brooklands which welcomes away fans and has Sky and BT Sports (see advert below). Peter Wood a visiting Doncaster Rovers supporter adds; ‘We had a lovely meal in the newish Wetherspoons called “Captain Ridley`s Shooting Party” which was the cover name for the MI5 people who visited Bletchley Park and decided it was ideal to be the home for the `code-breakers`during the war – there`s some interesting stuff in the pub about it. To get there turn left out of Bletchley Station – follow the path then turn left after steps. Cross the road walk past the Brunel Centre onto Queensway. Continue along the Queensway and you will reach the pub on your left. Afterwards if you continue along the Queensway you will reach Fenny Stratford where there are a number of pubs (see below)’.

The Postal Club Bletchley

The Postal Club, Family Friendly and located just 5 minutes walk from Bletchley Railway Station and only a 20 minute walk to the MK Dons Stadium.  We welcome Fans and show both BT & Sky Sports, with free Pool Table & Darts.  The Club has ample free parking outside & is able to accommodate Coaches, once inside you will find reasonably priced drinks starting at £2.60 for a pint of lager.  Although the Club doesn’t offer food, Fans are welcome to bring in their own food & there are plenty of eating places just outside.  For further information please call 07584 055199 The address of the Club is: Brooklands Road, Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2RS. View Location Map.

Bletchley Working Mens Club

Bletchley Working Mens Club is located 500 yards from Bletchley Rail Station, and just over a mile from Stadium MK. On Saturday match days, a comfortable function room is opened for away supporters from 11am until 3pm (Please note, it will not be open after the match). There is no entrance fee and families are welcome. Coaches can be accommodated by prior appointment. Please Contact 01908-377344 for further information or visit the: Bletchley Working Mens Club website. View Location Map.

Guy Plumb adds; ‘There is also Fenny Stratford which is located a mile south of the stadium along Watling Street. Fenny has seven pubs within a five minute walk of each other plus a fish and chip shop’. Caroline Charlesworth a visiting Leicester fan tells me; ‘Many Leicester fans headed to Fenny Stratford, as it is about a 20 minute walk from the ground and seems to be the better bet of all the areas around the ground after speaking to others who went elsewhere. We actually caught the train and got off at Fenny Stratford. Right by the station is the ‘The Red Lion’. This is situated in a lovely setting right beside a Canal Lock – nice for those early and end of season days out as they have a decent size garden and plenty of room to stand around outside’.

Mary McConnell a Sheffield United fan informs me; ‘I would recommend the Swan Hotel in Fenny Stratford, its on the corner of Watling Street and Simpson Road (this road runs down to the railway station) and has Sky television. The locals were friendly and the landlord most accommodating. It has a large car park that accommodated our supporters coach. and part from the usual fayre of drinks, they offered nice fresh rolls, which makes a nice change to the usual chips and a burger that’s offered in most places! It’s not often that we find somewhere so nice to away supporters but this place couldn’t have done more, big thumbs up to The Swan Hotel.’  Near to the Swan further along Watling/High Street is the Chequers pub which also offers real ale.To get to these pubs from Fenny Stratford station you need to turn left as you step off the train. Walk down to the level crossing and turn right for The Swan Hotel and left for The Red Lion. Both pubs are just a couple of minutes from the level crossing’. Also in Fenny Stratford on Aylesbury Street (further down on the right from the Fenny Fish & Chip shop) is the Maltsters pub, which welcomes visiting supporters.

Alternatively, it may be an idea instead to drink on the way or in Milton Keynes itself. There are a number of bars located adjacent to the main shopping centre (although many of them do not allow fans in wearing colours), or in walking distance of Milton Keynes Central station. If coming out of the station you go straight up Midsummer Boulevard in front of you, then after around five minutes walk you will find a Wetherspoons outlet located on the left.

Around a five minute drive from Junction 14 of the M1, towards Newport Pagnell, on Interchange Park is the MK Sports Bar & Lounge. This bar has a number of screens showing Sky Sports, a number of pool tables, plus it offers food.

Inside the stadium, alcohol is available to away fans, these include; Heineken (400ml Bottle), Strongbow (500ml Can), Guinness (520ml Can), Bulmers (330ml Bottle), Concrete Cow ‘Penny Popper’ or Pale Ale (Bottle), Wine (187ml Miniature Bottle) – All £4 each.

When Wimbledon relocated to Milton Keynes their stadium was obviously a huge talking point given it was a brand new build for a brand new town. It wasn’t their first ground under the MK Dons name though; that honour went to the National Hockey Stadium. They actually played their games there until 2007. Only then was Stadium MK ready for their new team to move in. The ground was built with such high aspirations that no further works have been required in the years since its construction.

Stadium:MK is situated at Denbigh North, just off the A5, south of Central Milton Keynes and just north of Bletchley. It is adjacent to a couple of Retail Parks, as well as an ASDA store and an IKEA, so expect some traffic congestion. For those familiar with the grid road system of Milton Keynes, then the ground is on V6 Grafton Street on the junction with H9 Groveway

Official Club Route (this is signposted from Junction 14 of the M1):

Leave the M1 at Junction 14 and head towards Milton Keynes. Go straight over the first roundabout and at the next (where there is a Total Garage on the corner) turn left onto the V11 Tongwell Street. Proceed across one roundabout and at the next turn right onto the H8 Standing Way (A421). Continue along the Standing Way going across a number of roundabouts. On reaching the Bleak Hall Roundabout turn left into the V6 Grafton Street. At the next roundabout, turn right and the stadium entrance is further down on the left.

Potential alternative/quicker routes

From the North
Leave the M1 at Junction 15 and take the A508 towards Milton Keynes and keep going until you reach the A5 roundabout. Take the first exit onto the A5 (direction London). Turn off at the third junction (signposted A421), take the fourth exit at the roundabout onto the V6 Grafton Street (towards Bletchley) and the ground is on the left. Or if you prefer more motorway driving, then continue South on the M1 to Junction 14:

From Junction 14 take the A509 towards Milton Keynes. take the A509 towards and into Milton Keynes. After the big motorway roundabout, turn right at the next roundabout (still A509, also called H5 Portway), then keep going straight on until you reach the A5 roundabout. Turn left onto the A5 (towards London). Turn off at the first junction (signposted A421), take the fourth exit at the roundabout onto the V6 Grafton Street (towards Bletchley) and the ground is on the left.

From the South
Leave the M1 at junction 13 and take the second exit (A421) towards Milton Keynes. At the third roundabout (there’s a BP garage on the right as you approach), take the second exit onto the H9 Groveway. Keep going straight on until you reach the A5 roundabout. Take the second exit at the roundabout onto the V6 Grafton Street (towards Bletchley) and the ground is on the left.

If you are approaching the stadium from the South along the A5, then leave the A5 at the junction of the A421 and you then really can’t miss it.

Please note that the stadium is nowhere near the centre of Milton Keynes. If you do get lost follow directions to Bletchley and/or IKEA.

James a visiting Portsmouth fan adds; ‘If you are a visiting supporter then follow the signs for “football coaches” as this will take you to the back of the stadium which is nearer the away fans turnstiles. Following signs for “Stadium MK” will take you round to the front of the ground where most of the parking is for permit holders only. With regards to parking, if you don’t want to pay, and arrive early enough, then you can park on the industrial estate which is on the opposite side of the road, to this rear stadium entrance’.

Car Parking

There are 2,000 car parking spaces at the stadium, which cost £7 per vehicle. Otherwise, you can street park in the Denbigh West industrial estate. After passing the stadium entrance on your left, turn right at the next roundabout, called Granby roundabout, and then take the next turn left, and immediately left again onto the industrial estate called Denbigh West. Don’t be tempted to park at the adjacent Asda Store as it is patrolled on matchdays and you may end up with a £60 parking ticket for your trouble.

Almost opposite the main stadium entrance is another small industrial estate, called Granby, the entrance to which is on Peverel Drive. Again there is some street parking to be had in this area. Near to the main road on Peverel Drive there is Magnet Trade (MK1 1NN). They offer car parking at £5, the proceeds of which are donated to a local charity.  There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Stadium MK via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Thanks to Dan McCalla for providing the above directions.

Post Code for SAT NAV: MK1 1ST

The nearest railway station is Fenny Stratford which is just over a mile away from Stadium MK, however this is on the local Bletchley to Bedford line. As you exit the station turn right and at the top of the road turn right onto the main Watling Street. Just go straight along this road and you will see the stadium over on your right.

There is also Bletchley Railway Station which is around about two miles away from the stadium. Surprisingly taxis are scarce outside Bletchley station so best to pre-book one in advance (Skyline 01908 222111 are a local taxi firm). Otherwise, you can embark on the 35-40 minute walk to the stadium. The station is served by trains from London Euston & Birmingham New Street.

Turn left immediately you come out of the station building and continue to and down the steps. At the bottom of the steps turn left and go under the railway bridge. At the roundabout by the Park pub turn left onto Saxon Street. Keep straight on this road and you will eventually reach the stadium. However, you will need to cross over to the other side, as there is only one path beside it. You will pass Bletchley Bus Station on your right and then the Enigma Pub. Go straight across the double mini roundabout following signs for the A5 and you will see the stadium over on your left. Beware though that the walk might not be best made for night games, as there are a number of underpasses en route. Peter Wood a visiting Doncaster Rovers fan adds; ‘After the match we got a Number 6 Bus back to Bletchley from Saxon Street over the road from the stadium’.

More likely though you will end up at Milton Keynes Central which is around four miles away. There is a taxi rank outside the station (Cost about £10 to the stadium). Or there is a regular Bus Service from outside the station, as Peter Durrant a visiting Plymouth Argyle supporter tells me; ‘There is the Arriva Service No 1, which runs every 30 minutes (on Saturday afternoons) at 11 minutes and 41 minutes past the hour from Milton Keynes Central Rail station. The journey time takes about 20 minutes (and is via the city centre, Oldbrook and the Hospital) to the bus stop of Grafton Street, adjacent to the stadium entrance. The return journey from the Granby, Grafton Street bus stop leaves at 9 and 39 minutes past the hour to MK Central Rail station’. Dan McCalla adds; ‘The number one bus is hourly on midweek evenings. However, you can also catch the Number 6 bus too from the station to the stadium. It runs every 20 minutes on Saturday afternoons, and every 20 minutes outbound and then hourly back on midweek evenings.’ Visit the Arriva website to view timetables.

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East Stand (Centre): Adults £27, Over 65’s/Under 21’s £22, Under 18’s £12

All other areas of the stadium: Adults £22 Over 65’s £17 Under 18’s £7

Under 7’s will be admitted free in some of the home areas of the stadium as long as they are a member of the Club and accompanied by an adult. Maximum of two Under 7’s per adult.

Official Programme £3

MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon rivalry: Do rivalries come bigger than this? Maybe in club stature and fan numbers but not in ferocity. When Wimbledon were relocated to Milton Keynes the Wimbledon fans were apoplectic with rage. It saw their club taken 60 miles away and rather than toe the line the created their own club; AFC Wimbledon were born and a rivalry with MK Dons – the old Wimbledon – was born.

MK Dons vs Peterborough rivalry: Milton Keynes and Peterborough aren’t exactly far apart. In fact, there are only an hours drive away from each other; that alone isn’t a reason for rivalry though. The reason cited by most is the fact the spent several seasons in promotion battles with each other.

MK Dons vs Northampton rivalry: Unlike the Peterborough rivalry, MK Dons and Northampton’s dislike is born purely out of close proximity. There are just 20 miles apart.

MK Dons fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the  Level Playing Field website. If have any queries then you can contact Andy Standen, who is the Disability Liaison Officer at MK Dons. He can be reached on  01908 622999 or email: [email protected].

Record Attendance

For an MK Dons match:
28,521 v Liverpool
League Cup 3rd Round, 25th September 2019.

Stadium record:
30,048 Fiji v Uruguay
Rugby World Cup, 6th October 2015

Average Attendance

2019-2020: 9,246 (League One)
2018-2019: 8,224 (League Two)
2017-2018: 9,202 (League One)

Official Web Site:  www.mkdons.com

Unofficial Web Sites: 
The Zone MK
GD’s MK Dons Blog
Concrete Roundabout Forum

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