Thursday, 19 Sep 2024

Spotland Stadium: Rochdale

Built in 1920, Spotland Stadium has been the beloved home of Rochdale Association Football Club for over a century. It has also become a true multi-purpose venue with the addition of Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Club in 1988. This partnership opened the doors for other events, including the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. The stadium was even given the honor of hosting a World Cup match for the first time, drawing a crowd of nearly 9,000 fans to watch Fiji take on Ireland. Currently, the stadium is officially known as the Crown Oil Stadium, thanks to a naming rights deal with Crown Oil that was struck in 2016.

Spotland Stadium Stats

  • Year Opened: 1920
  • Capacity: 10,000
  • Average Attendance: 3,632
  • Record Attendance: 24,231 (Rochdale v Notts County, 1949)
  • Pitch Size: 104 x 69 (7,176)
  • Nickname: Spotland
  • Owner: Rochdale AFC
  • Clubs Hosted: Rochdale A.F.C., Rochdale Hornets RLFC
  • First Fixture: Rochdale A.F.C v Oldham Athletic (03.09.1907)

Spotland Stadium Photos

Spotland Stadium

Spotland Stadium Seating Plan and Where to Sit

Spotland Stadium features four individual stands, following the traditional “English Style.” Here’s a breakdown of the stands:

  • The Reside Estate Agents/Willbutts Lane Stand: This stand runs along one side of the pitch and offers a covered single-tier. A portion of the seats is allocated to away fans.
  • The Smith Metals Stand: Located behind one of the goals, this stand includes a family section.
  • The Thwaites Beers Stand (or Sandy Lane): Situated behind the other goal, this terraced section is known for its passionate Rochdale fans.
  • The David Kilpatrick Main Stand: This stand houses the dressing rooms, dugouts, and hospitality suites.

Rochdale Ticket Prices

Rochdale offers straightforward ticket pricing. The cost of your ticket will depend on your age and your desired seating location. Here’s a breakdown of the ticket prices for adults and concessions in each category:

  • Adults: £18 – £22
  • Concessions: £10 – £14

Dale Rewards Card holders are eligible for a £5 discount on admission prices, making it a worthwhile consideration if you don’t have a season ticket.

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How To Get Rochdale Tickets

Getting tickets for Rochdale matches is simple and can be done through the following methods:

  • Club’s Website: Visit the club’s website to purchase tickets online.
  • Phone: Call the ticket office to purchase tickets over the phone. Note that there is an additional £1.00 charge for phone or online purchases.
  • In Person: Tickets can also be bought in person at the ticket office. For some games, tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles. All ticket games will be clearly indicated in advance.

Where to Buy

Tickets can be purchased directly from the club through their website, by phone, or in person at the ticket office. For additional ticket options, you can also check Ticket Compare.

Getting To Spotland Stadium

Rochdale is located in Greater Manchester, making it easily accessible for visitors. Here are some common transportation options to consider:

  • Train: Rochdale Railway Station is a 35-minute walk (or two miles) away from the stadium. It is well-served by trains from Manchester and Leeds.
  • Bus: First Group operates several buses that run from Rochdale center to Spotland Stadium. Their website provides an excellent journey planner to help you find the right bus.
  • Car: Spotland Stadium is approximately two miles from Junction 20 of the M62. Head towards Rochdale town center and follow the signs to the stadium.
  • Air: If you’re flying in to watch The Dale play, Manchester Airport is the nearest airport. It offers excellent connections to the train network.

For those arriving by train, a taxi from Rochdale Railway Station to the stadium will cost around £10 and take approximately five minutes.

Parking Near Spotland Stadium

On-street parking is available near the stadium, but it’s worth noting that some areas have parking restrictions. Another option is parking at Oulder Hill Community School on Greave Avenue. To explore available parking options near Spotland Stadium, you can visit Just Park.

Spotland Stadium Hotels

While nearby Manchester offers a wider range of hotels, Rochdale itself has some great places to stay. Here are a few recommendations:

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Pubs and Bars Near Spotland Stadium

Rochdale is a typical Northern town, full of character and charming pubs. Here are some local favorites for grabbing a pint:

  • Pub 1
  • Pub 2
  • Pub 3

Facilities

Spotland Stadium, although showing some signs of age, still offers all the necessary amenities for an enjoyable matchday experience. Like most Football League clubs, you’ll find various places to grab a drink and a bite to eat before, during, and after the game.

Prices

  • Programme: £3
  • Pie: £2
  • Cup of Tea: £1.50
  • Beer: £3.20

Hospitality

At Spotland Stadium, the main hospitality option is The Club Lounge. Here, you can enjoy a three-course meal before the game, access cash bar facilities, and even get the chance to meet the players and directors of Rochdale. Alternatively, you could book a VIP box, which includes a buffet and other VIP perks.

Private Hire

Spotland Stadium offers flexible options for private hire, accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 150 people. Whether it’s a conference, meeting, or any other event, the stadium provides licensed bars, a stage, full catering, and a range of conference and meeting rooms to suit your needs.

Stadium Tours & Museum

While Rochdale currently only operates tours sporadically, they offer an exciting opportunity to explore the stadium. The tours, led by Dave Sweetmore, the stadium announcer, take approximately 1.5 hours and include visits to the match control tower, TV gantry, dressing room, tunnel, and dugouts. Adults can join the tour for £10, while juniors pay £5. You might even get a chance to make your own announcement!

About Rochdale

Rochdale Association Football Club was formed in 1907 but didn’t enter the Football League until 1921. Throughout its history, the club has remained in the bottom two leagues of English football. Nonetheless, it has experienced promotions to the second-tier three times, in 1969, 2010, and 2014. Although Rochdale has never won a major competition, they did reach the League Cup final in 1962, a remarkable achievement for a lower-league club.

Rochdale is often referred to as ‘the Rochdale Division’ due to its 36 consecutive seasons in the lowest division of the Football League. Since the league expanded to 92 clubs in 1950, Rochdale has had the lowest average position of all the teams, consistently ranking 79th.

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Spotland Stadium History

Spotland Stadium was purpose-built to accommodate Rochdale FC. Its record attendance of 24,231 was set just after the Second World War during a match against Notts County. However, the stadium’s capacity has since decreased, primarily due to the Taylor Report’s requirements following the Hillsborough Disaster. While all Football League grounds had to convert to all-seater, Rochdale was able to retain some terraced sections due to its lower division status.

Future Developments

Improvements were made to Spotland Stadium in preparation for hosting a game in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. At this time, further developments are unlikely to take place. The stadium did experience a temporary reduction in capacity due to safety issues in 2019, but since reaching capacity is rare, this was not a significant concern.

FAQs

  • Can I buy tickets for Rochdale matches online?
    Yes, tickets are available for purchase on the club’s website.
  • Where can I find parking near Spotland Stadium?
    On-street parking is available near the stadium, and there is also parking available at Oulder Hill Community School on Greave Avenue.
  • Are there any hotels near Spotland Stadium?
    While Rochdale itself offers some accommodation options, the wider range of hotels can be found in nearby Manchester.
  • Does Spotland Stadium offer stadium tours?
    Yes, Spotland Stadium offers stadium tours, which are usually led by Dave Sweetmore, the stadium announcer. However, please note that tours are not available on a regular schedule.

Conclusion

Spotland Stadium, the home of Rochdale Association Football Club, has a rich history and continues to be a cherished venue for both football and rugby league matches. With its unique stands and passionate fan base, a trip to Spotland promises an authentic sporting experience. Whether you’re a loyal Rochdale supporter or a visitor to the area, the stadium’s facilities, hospitality options, and convenient transportation make it an ideal destination. So why not plan your visit and enjoy the excitement of a match at Spotland Stadium? For more information, visit Movin993.