As home to Leeds United FC, Elland Road is firmly associated with football. and the stadium still rocks to the sound of 30,000 very vocal supporters come match days. It’s not all kicking a pig’s skin around, though. With big-name concerts, conferences and history-packed stadium tours on offer here, you may be visiting Elland Road for reasons completely unassociated with the beautiful game. And whatever brings you here, you’ll have all the info you need to kick off your footie-mad city break to Leeds in style.
While it’s always been the home of Leeds United, Elland Road didn’t always have the same name. Early in its history, it was called The Old Peacock Ground, because of the pub just outside stadium that’s still there today. Very much an historic footballing institution, Elland Road has seen sporting greats such as Billy Bremner, Jack Charlton and Rio Ferdinand play on its hallowed turf. Today, however, Elland Road is much more than just a football ground. As the UK’s 12th biggest stadium it has welcomed some of the best names in the entertainment world, with U2, Queen, Rod Stewart and the Kaiser Chiefs appearing here. It also hosts rugby, American and Gaelic football matches as well as the enormous Valentine’s Fun Fair - a hugely popular annual event.
Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road
Essential information
Stadium tour
Want to take a trip behind the scenes at the stadium? Elland Road is unusual in that its stadium tours take place on match days - which means you may even get to see the kit being laid out in the dressing room, ready for the game ahead. Other highlights include a walk down the famous tunnel and the chance to sit in the dugout, too. Lasting an hour and a half, Match day Stadium Tours start at Billy’s Bar at 10am before a 3pm kick off and at 2pm before an evening game. Tours are popular, so book in advance at the Leeds United FC website.
Top tip
If you’re struggling to get a ticket, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Leeds United Twitter account for the latest updates on any new releases. You’ll also be able to find great discounts for the club Superstore on their Twitter page, too.
Eating and drinking
Feeling hungry or thirsty before the match? Here are the options to satisfy your rumbling tum or wet your whistle. There are plenty of hot and cold snacks and drinks available on the terrace concourses - don’t miss the pies, rumour has it that they’re excellent. For a pre or post-match drink, head to Billy’s Sports Baron the South Stand side of the stadium.You’ll find plenty of traditional pubs nearby, with The Old Peacock being popular on match days. There are fast food options galore nearby, but head back towards the city centre to the Cross Keys - the only gastro pub in Leeds to appear in the Michelin Guide’s Eating Out in Pubs, 2017.
Getting to Elland Road
Travelling to the ground is easy from the city centre. But should you go by train, car or bus? We’ve covered all the options below to help you decide.
By car
Close to the M1, M62 and M621, you’ll find plenty of parking when you get to Elland Road too, with a number of car parks around the ground.
By bus
A cheap match day bus service (the R2) leaves Leeds station 90 minutes before kick-off, runs at frequent intervals and then takes you back afterwards. Otherwise, the 51, 52 and 55 stop outside of the stadium, too.
By train
Leeds Railway Station is two miles away so you could walk it in about 30 minutes, or save your feet by just hopping on the match day shuttle bus.