Pride Park Stadium Guide 

Pride Park Stadium, once known as the iPro Stadium, is one of the oldest stadiums in England. It is also the first stadium to be opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Pride Park has been Derby County’s home ground since 1997 after spending over 100 years at their former Baseball Ground home. It is also used for several non-matchday activities, including weddings, conferences, and other sporting events besides football. With a seating capacity of 33,000+, the ground has recently hosted international friendlies, monster trucks, and concerts.

In this Pride Park guide, you’ll get comprehensive information on the stadium’s capacity, seating plans, facilities, and more.

Pride Park Stadium Stats 

Opened in 1997, Pride Park has always been the home ground of the EFL club, Derby County fondly called the Rams. With a seating capacity of 33,597, the Derby County stadium is the 16th largest ground in England. Located in Derby, Pride Park has hosted high-profile events such as the following:

  • International matches – England vs Mexico in 2001 and Brazil vs Ukraine in 2010
  • England U-21 matches
  • 2009 Women’s FA Cup Final

Pride Park Stadium Key Facts 

Capacity: 33,597

Address: Derby, UK

Year Opened: 1997

Home Team(s): Derby County FC

Record Attendance: 33,597 (England vs Mexico, 2001) 

Owner: David Clowes

First Fixture: Derby County vs Sampdoria, 1997

Pride Park Stadium Design and Architecture 

Pride Park is a modern, all-seater stadium that was designed by architects of Miller Partnership who have carried out over 30 iterations. The Pride Park seating plan and its sleek, bowl-shaped structure offer excellent sightlines from all areas. It takes on a more rectangular design than other stadiums that use the same bowl style but still maintains the traditional four stands. The roofline is similar to that of most stadiums, but the western corner is filled with corporate space rather than the regular seating and main stand’s façade.

At the entrance of the northwest part of the ground, there is a nine-foot bronze statue of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor that welcomes fans and visitors. Designed by Andrew Edwards, the statue is a tribute to Clough and Taylor who managed the Rams between 1967 and 1973.

Pride Park Stadium Seating Plan 

The Derby County Stadium seating plan is organised through four main stands like most stadiums. Most of the stands are single-tiered except the largest stand which has two tiers. The North Stand is single-tiered and is split into lower and upper sections just behind the goal at the northern end of the ground. The South Stand sits behind the southern goal and houses away fans, while the East Stand runs along the side of the pitch and features white seating that spells the club’s nickname, ‘The Rams.’

The Toyota West Stand is the biggest and only stand with two tiers that are separated by executive boxes and also house dug-outs and dressing rooms. While the rest of the ground is smaller than this stand which makes it look unbalanced, the seating plan is still able to accommodate a Pride Park capacity of 33,000+ spectators.

Pride Park Stadium Tickets & Pricing  

Like most clubs in the UK, the prices of tickets at Pride Park were based on seating positions and the teams playing. The same system holds today, except that ticket prices have gone up. The price per ticket today is based on a categorised system, with category A tickets being the most costly and category C being modest. The prices also vary based on your age.

One of the best things about Derby County is that ticket prices for the club’s matches are always announced at least seven weeks ahead of matchday, which gives you enough time to purchase tickets. It’s always a good idea to purchase a ticket well ahead of the game and you’ll find that prices go up by £3 for adults and £2 for concessions when you buy on the day.

Here are the various categories for adults and concessions and their prices:

  • A: £7-£36
  • B: £6-£32
  • C: £5-£28
  • 2 to 5-year-olds: Free

How to get Stadium Tickets  

Getting a ticket to a Derby County game is quite easy as the club offers several ways you can do that. You can buy tickets online, over the phone, email, or in-store.

  • Online: You will have to create an account on the official Derby County website.
  • In-Store: Tickets are available at the Derby County Ticket Office at the northwest corner of the stadium near the statue. The ticket office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
  • Phone: If you prefer getting on the phone, you can purchase a ticket by telephone at 0871 472 1884.
  • Email: You can also send an email to ticket.office@dcfc.co.uk.

There is a booking fee of £1 per ticket for home and away games when booking tickets via phone or online. If you make payments in person, the club does not charge any fees. However, you will incur a postal fee of £2.50 per transaction. Fans with membership can get exclusive perks such as reduced ticket prices and free tickets depending on the number of away matches attended during a season.

Matchday Atmosphere and Fan Experience 

No matter the game, the atmosphere of every matchday at Pride Park is always a sight to behold. As supporters of the Rams fill the stands, the stadium comes alive with chants, songs, and vibrant energy. International competitions and league rivalries often exude more buzz than any other game. The fan zones outside the stadium provide a great pre-game build-up – the type of place where you can grab a bite, sip some beer, or get to know someone new over some friendly banter. Inside, you’re likely to be overwhelmed by the roar of the home fans if you’re an away supporter.

How to Get to Pride Park Stadium

There are several routes you can take to get to Pride Park. For one thing, the stadium is close to the centre of Derby, so getting there is pretty easy by any route. Here are some of the key routes you can use:

  • Train: The Derby Train Station is the closest train station to the stadium and is about a 14-minute walk.
  • Bus: If you prefer travelling by bus, there are several options available. To be honest, the number 111 bus is the best option as it leaves from the centre of Derby to the ground directly.
  • Car: The ground is located just off the A52, so from London, you just have to take Junction 25 of the M1 if you’re driving from the North or South.
  • Air: East Midlands Airport is where you’ll land if you’re travelling to the stadium from abroad as this is the closest airport. From there, you can grab the Skylink bus which runs between the airport and the Derby Railway Station Forecourt.
  • Taxi: If you do not prefer to walk from the train station, then a taxi should take you to the ground for around £5. There are many taxi services you can use, including Albatross Cars, Chads Cars, and Western Cars.

Once you’re in, there is limited parking available at Derby Arena Car Park. This is only a five-minute walk from the ground, but it’s best to purchase a parking space beforehand.

How to access Stadium for Home Fans 

The main entrance is at the front of the West Stand and this is where both home fans and away supporters will enter the stadium. Once inside, home fans can enter via all turnstiles, except those found between the South and East stands. The turnstiles are open an hour and a half before the start of a game and you’ll need to get your ticket scanned at the barcode reader to gain entry.

How to Get to Stadium for Away Fans 

After passing through the main entrance, away fans can enter the stadium via the turnstiles located in the corner between the South and East stands. These stands can house up to 2,700 away fans, but during cup fixtures, this section can have a Derby County capacity of up to 5,500 fans. Like home fans, away supporters have to insert their tickets into an electronic reader to gain entry.

Hotels Near Pride Park Stadium 

Like most East Midland cities, Derby has a few hotel options you can consider that range from £60 to £120+. There are some Airbnb options available which are quite affordable and close to the stadium.

Holiday Inn Express Derby

This hotel is just a few minutes walk from Derby Train Station, a five-minute drive from the city centre, and a 30-minute drive from East Midlands Airport. You can go for a gym session or swim, chill out in their relaxed lounge, stream your favourite shows with free Wi-Fi, and enjoy a free breakfast. The cost starts at just £60.

Travelodge Derby Pride Park  

Travelodge is just across the road from the stadium. They offer standard double rooms, a bar café, good parking space, breakfast and dinner, and the cost is relatively cheap at £30 minimum.

Aston Court Hotel  

Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is just a 1-minute walk from the Derby Railway Station. There’s enough parking space for you with free Wi-Fi, 55 rooms, breakfast and extensive lounge areas, a bar, a large TV, and a pool table to keep you entertained. Prices start at £57.

  • Address: Midland Road, Derby, England, DE1 2SL
  • Website: Aston Court Hotel 
  • Phone Number: 44 (0) 1332 342716

Pubs, Bars Near Stadium 

Where can you go for a bite to eat and drink at Derby? Well, there are plenty of places around. Here are some of the best pubs you should visit:

Harvester Pride Park 

The Harvester is the closest pub to Pride Park. They don’t really show any sport, though, but it’s the ideal place to go for some good food and drinks with your family just before you head to the ground.

  • Address: Roundhouse Road, Off Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JE
  • Website: Harvester Pride Park 
  • Phone Number: 01332 371471

The Brunswick Inn 

Located along the railway, this pub was awarded the CAMRA Pub of the Year award in 2016. You can eat homemade food at Brunswick and also watch some football on their giant TV screens.

  • Address: 1 Railway Terrace, Derby, DE1 2RU
  • Website: The Brunswick Inn 
  • Phone Number: 01332 290677

 The Alexandra Hotel 

This is another CAMRA favourite that also serves some good home-cooked meals. It’s actually a hotel, so you can pass the night if you have too much to drink after a match.

  • Address: 203 Siddals Rd, Derby, DE1 2QE
  • Phone Number: 01332 293993

Updates on Pride Park Stadium

In 2017, Derby County FC applied for permission to extend the East Stand at Pride Park which would increase the stadium’s capacity to 44,000. Seven years later, nothing has happened, so Pride Park is likely to remain as it is. This is understandable given the club’s recent financial woes, but should Derby County establish a Premier League presence, then there might be some hope for a revamp.

The only development came in 2024 when the exterior of the Toyota West Stand underwent a refresh. With the refresh, the stand continues to feature the branding of the club’s long-standing partner, Toyota, who is their biggest sponsor to date.