Saturday, 5 Oct 2024

New Douglas Park: Home of Hamilton Academical

Hamilton Academical Football Club, founded in 1874, finally found a permanent home at New Douglas Park in 1888. The club had previously been moving around from place to place in search of a suitable stadium. However, in 1994, they were forced to sell Douglas Park to fund the construction of a new stadium. From 1994 to 2001, Hamilton played their home games at either Cliftonhill, Albion Rovers’ stadium, or Firhill Stadium, home of Patrick Thistle.

The imaginative Hamilton Academical board decided to name their new stadium New Douglas Park, located just down the road from the original Douglas Park. Later, the stadium became known as the Hope CBD Stadium due to a sponsorship deal.

Stadium Stats

  • Year Opened: 2001
  • Capacity: 6,018
  • Average Attendance: 3,199
  • Record Attendance: 6,007 (Hamilton vs Celtic, 2015)
  • Pitch Size: 105 x 68 (7,140)
  • Nickname: The Academy
  • Former Name: Ballast Stadium
  • Owner: Hamilton Academical Football Club

New Douglas Park Photos

New Douglas Park

Seating Plan and Where to Sit

New Douglas Park has two permanent stands. The North Stand, located behind one of the goals, offers slightly elevated seating. The West Stand runs along the length of the pitch and houses the main facilities, including the changing rooms and players’ tunnel. The East Stand is a temporary structure designated for away fans, while there is no stand to the South of the ground.

Hamilton Academical Ticket Prices

Hamilton Academical follows a straightforward ticket pricing scheme. They do not categorize matches or charge different amounts for different sections of the stadium. Instead, there is a flat fee for all Hamilton matches. This simplicity may be due to the average attendance of just over 3,000 in a stadium built for double that capacity.

  • Adults: £22.00
  • Concessions: £12.00
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How to Get Hamilton Academical Tickets

Tickets for Hamilton Academical matches can be obtained over the phone, at the turnstiles on match day, or from the club’s ticket office.

Where to Buy

You can compare ticket prices and purchase tickets from reputable sources.

Getting to New Douglas Park

Hamilton is conveniently located below both Glasgow and Edinburgh, making it easily accessible from London as well. Here are the transportation options to reach the stadium:

  • Train: Take a train from Euston to Hamilton Central, with a change in Motherwell. From there, it’s a short walk to the stadium or a ten-minute train ride to Hamilton West, followed by another ten-minute walk to New Douglas Park.
  • Bus: The 227 bus runs from Hamilton Central to near the stadium.
  • Car: Take the M74 into Scotland and exit at Junction 5, following signs for Hamilton. Keep an eye out for signs leading to the stadium.
  • By Air: Glasgow International Airport is just over fifteen miles from Hamilton.
  • Taxi: A taxi ride from Hamilton Central to New Douglas Park takes just over five minutes and costs approximately £7.

Parking Near New Douglas Park

While there is no parking available at the stadium itself, there are plenty of parking spaces nearby, particularly at Morrisons, which is located next door.

New Douglas Park Hotels

Although Hamilton may not be as popular as Edinburgh or Glasgow, it offers a few nice hotel options for visitors.

Pubs and Bars Near New Douglas Park

Scotland has a fantastic drinking culture, and Hamilton has its fair share of excellent pubs and bars for a great night out.

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Facilities

The facilities at New Douglas Park are basic but offer good views from all areas of the stadium. There are also plenty of food and drink options available.

Prices

  • Programme: £2.90
  • Pie: £1.90
  • Cup of tea: £1.50

Hospitality

Hamilton Academical offers various hospitality packages, including a champagne reception, complimentary pre-match drinks, a three-course meal with wine, seating in the suite or West Stand, half-time refreshments, and post-match drinks.

Private Hire

New Douglas Park provides function rooms for up to 200 guests, making it suitable for business conferences or special events. AD Hospitality manages all Accies Functions.

Stadium Tours & Museum

At the time of writing, stadium tours are not available at New Douglas Park. However, you can explore the grass verge at the southern end of the stadium. Unfortunately, there is no museum on-site.

About Hamilton Academical

Hamilton Academical was founded in 1874 and is the only professional football club in Britain to have originated from a school team. They joined the Scottish Football Association shortly after formation, participating in the Scottish Cup and Qualifying Cup before becoming a member of the Scottish Football League in 1897. The club experienced financial difficulties in the 1970s, leading to a brief resignation from the league.

Throughout their history, Hamilton has achieved some success, winning the Scottish Challenge Cup twice, finishing as runners-up in the Scottish Cup on two occasions, and earning promotion to the top-flight in 2008 after a 20-year absence.

New Douglas Park History

New Douglas Park has witnessed various changes since its opening in 2001. Initially, it featured regular grass but later installed FieldTurf, an artificial surface resistant to challenging Scottish weather conditions. When Hamilton gained promotion to the top-flight in 2008, the artificial turf had to be removed due to Scottish Premier League regulations. However, during the 2013/14 season, the club reverted to playing on an artificial surface named Tigerturf. The stadium’s history is still being written, and Hamilton Academical continues to embrace the ground as their home.

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Future Developments

While New Douglas Park currently has a temporary East Stand and lacks a South stand, there are no immediate plans for further development. Any future changes will be announced accordingly.

FAQs

Q: Can I book a stadium tour at New Douglas Park?
A: Unfortunately, stadium tours are not available at this time.

Q: Are there any museums at New Douglas Park?
A: No, there are no museums within the stadium.

Q: How can I purchase Hamilton Academical tickets?
A: Tickets can be purchased over the phone, on match day from the turnstiles, or at the club’s ticket office.

Q: Where can I find parking near New Douglas Park?
A: Although there is no parking at the stadium, there are ample parking spaces available nearby, particularly at Morrisons, next door to the stadium.

Conclusion

New Douglas Park, also known as the Hope CBD Stadium, is the home of Hamilton Academical Football Club. With a rich history and ongoing developments, the stadium provides a welcoming environment for fans to support their beloved team. Whether you’re interested in attending a match, exploring nearby attractions, or enjoying the local hospitality, a visit to New Douglas Park promises an enjoyable experience. For more information about Hamilton Academical and upcoming matches, visit the official Movin993 website.