Ipswich Town visitor guide (Portman Road, Tractor Boys), England

Portman Road has been the home of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The club did not turn professional until 1936, two years later it joined the Football League and Portman Road hosted Ipswich Town's first league match on the 27th August 1938. The record attendance at the ground stands at 38,010 for an FA Cup sixth round match against Leeds United in 1975. Since the beginning of the new millennium, the ground has undergone extensive redevelopment; two new stands were built bringing the capacity of the all-seater stadium up from 22,600 to 30,311.

Away fans will find themselves housed in a section of the Cobbold Stand where 3,000 seats are made available for the away team. This part of the stadium is beginning to show its age and visiting supporters have regularly commented on the cramped legroom and shabby appearance of the stand. However, the generally good views, excellent pitch and lively atmosphere do go some way to balance things out. The usual match refreshments are available inside the ground but be warned, the small concourses can make it a bit of a squeeze at half time.

Outside the grounds are statues of two former Ipswich Town greats, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey.

The grounds close proximity to the centre of Ipswich means that those looking for accommodation will easily find a hotel near Portman Road.

Getting To Portman Road

By Car

Parking at Portland Road can be extremely problematic, as the stadium has no parking facilities. Street parking is limited and available pay and display spaces in Portman Road quickly disappear on match day, so it is best to park elsewhere in town and make the short journey on foot to the stadium. Due to the grounds location in Ipswich town centre there are plenty of parking options nearby, so fans travelling to Portland Road by car are advised to follow signs for the town centre and park where they can. Park and ride schemes are also in place for fans who wish to park a bit further out of town. Fans choosing to stay in a hotel near Portman Road should take advantage of hotel parking and walk to the ground.

By Public Transport

Portman road is located just a stones throw from Ipswich's train station; the train will pass the stadium as you arrive into Ipswich. Leave the station and take Princes Street over the river Orwell, pass two sets of traffic lights then turn left into Portman Road, the ground can't be missed.

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