⚽ BOUNDARY PARK ⚽
Oldham Athletic – Your Complete Travel Guide for 2025-26
ℹ️ 2025-26 Season Guide: All information has been researched and verified for the current season — Oldham Athletic’s first back in the EFL after their National League play-off triumph at Wembley in May 2025. Always check oldhamathletic.co.uk for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel. Wrap up warm — Boundary Park is famously the coldest ground in the Football League.
🏟️ ABOUT BOUNDARY PARK
Boundary Park sits at the north-western edge of Oldham at 526 feet above sea level — the second-highest Football League ground in England after The Hawthorns. It earned its famous nickname, Ice Station Zebra, from former manager Joe Royle, and it’s well deserved. Even in August, a Pennine wind can cut straight through you.
The ground has a capacity of 13,513 and a traditional, four-stand layout. The Main Stand is the only two-tiered structure; opposite sits the Joe Royle Stand (opened 2015), the most modern part of the ground. Large corner floodlight pylons give it that classic northern football feel.
Away fans occupy the Chadderton Road End (the Chaddy End) — a single-tiered covered stand behind the goal with an allocation of just under 4,000. The views are decent, though the roof support pillars can affect some seats. The home end, the Rochdale Road End, houses the vocal Athleticos supporter group.
Oldham Athletic were founded in 1895 as Pine Villa, taking over Boundary Park in 1899 and renaming themselves Oldham Athletic. They rose to the top flight of football, finishing second in the old First Division in 1914-15 and becoming founder members of the Premier League in 1992. They were relegated in 1994 and suffered decades of decline thereafter.
Their nadir came in 2022 when relegation from League Two sent them into non-league football — the first former Premier League club to drop that far. Three years in the National League followed before a dramatic Wembley play-off final win over Southend United in June 2025 brought them back to the EFL.
The 2025-26 season is their first back in League Two. There is genuine optimism at Boundary Park, backed by strong community spirit — hundreds of fans turned out in July 2025 to help clean the stadium ahead of the new campaign. The Latics play in royal blue and white.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS — 2025-26
| Capacity | 13,513 (all seated) |
| Opened | 1896 (Athletic Ground); Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park since 1904 |
| Address | Furtherwood Road, Royton, Oldham, OL1 2PA |
| Away Section | Chadderton Road End (Chaddy End) — single-tiered, covered, behind the goal |
| Away Allocation | Up to ~3,900 seats. Tickets are available on the day. |
| Record Attendance | 47,671 vs Sheffield Wednesday, FA Cup, 1930 |
| Nickname | The Latics |
| Division | Sky Bet League Two (2025-26) — first season back in the EFL since 2022 |
| Club Website | oldhamathletic.co.uk |
| Ticket Office | 0161 785 5150 | oldhamathletic.co.uk/tickets |
🚗 GETTING TO BOUNDARY PARK
Boundary Park is on the north-western fringe of Oldham, roughly 6 miles north-east of Manchester city centre. The address is Furtherwood Road, Royton, OL1 2PA. It is well signposted from both the M60 and M62 motorways. Plan your route in advance — the stadium sits in a residential/retail area with limited streets nearby.
Driving is straightforward from most of England via the M60/M62 corridor. Paid parking is available at the ground and at the nearby Oldham Royal Hospital. There are no traditional pubs within walking distance of the stadium, so plan your pre-match drinking in Manchester or Oldham town centre.
By public transport, the recommended route is Manchester Victoria to the Westwood Metrolink stop (around 20 minutes), then a 20-minute walk uphill to the ground. Alternatively, buses 181 and 182 run from Manchester Piccadilly directly past the stadium.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
📍 Furtherwood Road, Royton, Oldham, OL1 2PA | Open in Google Maps
🚂 BY TRAIN & TRAM — Via Manchester, Then Metrolink
The Key Fact: There is no direct train to Boundary Park. The best approach is to travel to Manchester Victoria, then take the Metrolink tram to Westwood stop (around 20 minutes from Victoria), followed by a 20-minute uphill walk to the ground. Alternatively, the 181 and 182 buses run from Manchester Piccadilly directly past the stadium. Budget around 45-60 minutes from the city centre to the ground.
Journey Times to Manchester (Piccadilly or Victoria):
🔴 London Euston: Approx. 2 hrs 10 mins (Avanti West Coast to Piccadilly)
🔴 Bristol Temple Meads: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins (CrossCountry to Piccadilly)
🟠 Edinburgh Waverley: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins (Avanti West Coast to Piccadilly)
🟠 Glasgow Central: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins (Avanti West Coast to Piccadilly)
🟡 Leeds: Approx. 1 hr (TransPennine Express to Victoria)
🟡 Sheffield: Approx. 1 hr (TransPennine Express to Piccadilly)
🟢 Liverpool Lime Street: Approx. 45 mins (TransPennine Express to Victoria)
🟢 Birmingham New Street: Approx. 1 hr 20 mins (CrossCountry to Piccadilly)
🔵 Bolton / Wigan: Under 30 mins to Victoria (Northern Rail)
Getting from Manchester to Boundary Park
🚋 Metrolink Tram (recommended from Victoria)
Take the Rochdale via Oldham line from Manchester Victoria. Trains run every 12 minutes. Alight at Westwood stop (Zone 3, around £3.80). The stadium is then a 20-minute walk — mostly uphill. Follow Westwood Way, then Sheepfoot Lane to Boundary Park.
🚌 Bus from Manchester Piccadilly (181 or 182)
The 181 and 182 buses run from Manchester Piccadilly and stop approximately 400 yards from the ground. Journey time is around 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic. Check tfgm.com for current timetables and live departures.
🚕 Taxi from Manchester City Centre
Around £20-25 each way and takes approximately 25-30 minutes in light traffic. Uber and Bolt both operate in the area. A shared taxi from Manchester can work well for a group — split costs and door-to-door convenience.
💡 Top Tip: If you plan to drink in Manchester before the match (the sensible option — see Pubs section), the tram from Victoria is your friend. Last trams back from Westwood to Victoria run until late, making the return journey easy.
🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com | Metrolink: tfgm.com
🚗 BY CAR — Easy Motorway Access, Plan Parking in Advance
Boundary Park is well connected to the motorway network and straightforward to reach by car. The M60 and M62 are your main routes, with the A627(M) taking you directly into Oldham. Expect some matchday traffic on the approach roads, particularly on Saturday afternoons.
Driving Directions:
- From the South (M1/M6): Join the M60 anti-clockwise, exit at Junction 22 onto the A62. Follow signs for Oldham, then pick up Westhulme Way to the ground.
- From the M62 (East or West): Leave at Junction 20, take the A627(M) towards Oldham. Take the second slip road (A663 Royton). At the roundabout (McDonald’s/KFC), take the second exit onto the A627. Turn left at the traffic lights past the Clayton Green pub. Follow the round, the ground is signposted.
- From the North: M66 south to M60 east, then as above from Junction 22.
Parking Options:
- Oldham Royal Hospital Car Park (OL1 2PH): The recommended option for away fans — around £5 on matchdays, approximately 400 yards from the ground. Enter via Westhulme Way.
- Stadium Car Park: Limited spaces available at the ground itself. Arrive early to secure a spot. Around £5.
- Street Parking: Some residential streets nearby, but they fill up quickly. Expect a 10-15 minute walk from most on-street spots.
💡 Top Tip: Leave early after the final whistle if you want to avoid the post-match car park queue. The hospital car park can get backed up — if you can walk five minutes to a quieter exit road, it helps.
🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR BOUNDARY PARK
⚠️ IMPORTANT ADVICE: There are no traditional pubs in the immediate vicinity of Boundary Park itself. The stadium sits in a retail/residential area. Most experienced away fans recommend drinking in Manchester city centre before travelling, or using the handful of options near the ground listed below. Avoid wearing colours in unfamiliar areas near home fan pubs.
🍺 Near the Ground (Away Fan Friendly)
🍺 Clayton Green Brewers Fayre (Westwood Retail Park, Chadderton Way, Oldham OL1 2NA)
A Brewers Fayre pub-restaurant just two minutes’ walk from the stadium — the most convenient option for away fans arriving by car. Family-friendly, serves food, and is generally welcoming to visiting supporters. Don’t expect a proper football pub atmosphere, but it does the job.
Distance to Stadium: 2 min walk | Price: ££ | Phone: 0161 925 3770
🍺 The Greyhound Inn (Elly Clough, Holden Fold Lane, Royton, Oldham OL2 5ES)
A traditional pub around five minutes from the ground that has historically welcomed both home and away fans. Good selection of beers and a proper pub feel. Check current status before your visit — recent reports suggest refurbishment work may have affected opening. Phone: 0161 536 3155.
Distance to Stadium: 5 min walk | Price: £
🍺 The Spring Vale Inn (14 Burnley Street, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 0JH)
A no-frills local pub that welcomes away fans. Basic but friendly, with a genuine local atmosphere. Good for a pint before or after the game if you want something off the beaten track.
Distance to Stadium: 10 min walk | Price: £
🍺 Oldham Town Centre Pubs (Recommended Pre-Match)
🍺 Wetherspoons Oldham (Town Centre)
The town centre Wetherspoons is consistently recommended by away fans as the safest and most reliable pre-match option. Cheap drinks, large capacity and welcoming to visiting supporters. About a mile from the ground — take a taxi or the short tram hop to Westwood after.
Distance to Stadium: ~15 min walk / 5 min taxi | Price: £
🍺 Manchester City Centre
For the best pre-match drinking experience, head into Manchester first. The Northern Quarter, Piccadilly Gardens, and the streets around Victoria Station all offer excellent options. Then take the tram to Westwood or the 181/182 bus to the ground.
Distance to Stadium: 20-30 min tram/bus | Price: ££
🍺 Concourse Note: Food and drinks are available inside Boundary Park. Standard matchday fare — pies, hot dogs, burgers and hot drinks. Nothing extraordinary, but it does the job on a cold day.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN OLDHAM & MANCHESTER
Most away fans making a trip of it will find Manchester city centre the most practical and enjoyable base. It offers far more in terms of restaurants, bars and nightlife, and the tram to Westwood makes getting to and from Boundary Park easy. Oldham itself has a handful of good budget options for those who prefer to stay close to the ground.
💷 Budget Options (£50-90 per night)
Premier Inn Oldham Central
Reliable budget option right in Oldham town centre, approximately 0.8 miles from Boundary Park. Complimentary parking, standard Premier Inn rooms, and a pub-restaurant on site. A solid, no-fuss choice.
Location: Oldham Town Centre | Book: premierinn.com
Travelodge Oldham Chadderton
Located 1.2 miles from Boundary Park near the M60 motorway. Straightforward Travelodge accommodation with free parking — handy if you’re driving. Close to a variety of chain restaurants and shops.
Location: Chadderton | Book: travelodge.co.uk
💷💷 Mid-Range Options (£90-150 per night)
Manchester City Centre Hotels (Multiple Options)
Holiday Inn, Ibis, Crowne Plaza and Novotel all have locations in Manchester city centre, in the £90-150 range. This is the recommended mid-range choice — you get a far better experience than staying in Oldham, with the tram making matchday travel simple. Book early — Manchester weekends fill up fast.
Location: Manchester City Centre | Book: booking.com
💷💷💷 Luxury Options (£150+ per night)
The Edwardian Manchester / Hotel Gotham / Dakota Manchester
Manchester city centre has a genuinely impressive collection of luxury hotels. Hotel Gotham (boutique, stunning Art Deco), Dakota Manchester (slick and contemporary) and The Edwardian (grand and central) are all excellent. Perfect for making a proper weekend of the trip.
Location: Manchester City Centre | Book: booking.com
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN OLDHAM & NEARBY
Oldham is a town that rewards curiosity. It sits on the edge of the Peak District and the Pennines, with some brilliant countryside on its doorstep, plus a free art gallery, a beautiful Victorian park, and a town centre undergoing genuine regeneration. And of course, Manchester city centre is just 25-30 minutes away.
🎨 Gallery Oldham (Free!)
One of Oldham’s highlights is a genuinely impressive free gallery and museum in the town centre. Changing contemporary exhibitions sit alongside permanent collections exploring local history and natural science. Well worth an hour before the match, and the perfect way to understand the town you’re visiting.
Cost: Free | Info: galleryoldham.org.uk | Address: 35 Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL
🌿 Alexandra Park — Victorian Gem
A beautiful Victorian park built by Oldham residents during the cotton famine of the 1860s — a remarkable piece of local history. Features a boathouse café, a lake with fountains, tennis courts, a conservatory with tropical plants, and woodland walks. A lovely pre-match stroll on a fine day.
Cost: Free | Address: Kings Road, Oldham OL8 2BH | Distance: 1.5 miles from stadium
⛰️ Tandle Hill Country Park — Stunning Pennine Views
A mixture of beech woodland and open grassland with panoramic views stretching across Greater Manchester and beyond to the Pennines. Perfect for a morning walk before the match. Free entry, well-maintained paths, and genuinely spectacular on a clear day. One of Oldham’s real hidden gems.
Cost: Free | Distance: ~2 miles from stadium | Info: visitmanchester.com
🏔️ Dovestone Reservoir & Saddleworth Moor
Just 8 miles from Oldham town centre lies Dovestone Reservoir — a spectacular stretch of water set against Saddleworth Moor and Peak District scenery. Popular with walkers and cyclists. If you’re making a weekend of the trip, this is the kind of spectacular landscape that surprises visitors expecting industrial Oldham.
Cost: Free | Distance: ~8 miles from stadium | Info: visitpeakdistrict.com
🏛️ Oldham Town Centre & Old Town Hall
Oldham’s converted Grade II-listed Old Town Hall is now home to an Odeon cinema, Nando’s, and other restaurants, in a genuinely impressive Victorian building. The town centre also has Tommyfield Market — one of the oldest in the north — and the Spindles Town Square shopping centre for browsing before the match.
Distance: ~1 mile from stadium | Info: visitoldham.com
📍 Nearby — Manchester City Centre
Manchester — 25-30 minutes away
With so much on offer just 25 minutes away, many away fans treat a Boundary Park trip as a Manchester weekend. The National Football Museum, Castlefield, the Northern Quarter, the Arndale and the city’s incredible restaurant and bar scene make for an outstanding complement to the football. visitmanchester.com
💙 LOCAL TIPS — THE BOUNDARY PARK EXPERIENCE
🧥 Pack Extra Layers — Seriously: Boundary Park sits on the edge of the Pennines at 526 feet above sea level. Even in September, a cold wind can make it feel like midwinter. Experienced away fans bring more layers than they think they’ll need. Ice Station Zebra earned its nickname for a reason.
🍺 Drink in Manchester First: There are no traditional pubs right next to the ground. The most enjoyable approach is to spend a couple of hours in Manchester city centre (superb choice of pubs), then take the Metrolink to Westwood and walk the 20 minutes uphill to the stadium.
🏆 A Remarkable Comeback Story: Oldham are back in the EFL after their first former Premier League club-to-non-league spell. There is genuine energy and optimism around Boundary Park in 2025-26. The home crowd will be vocal and up for it — expect a proper football atmosphere.
🌌 The Peak District is Just 20 Minutes Away: If you’re making a weekend of it, Saddleworth and Dovestone Reservoir are a short drive from Oldham. Spectacular moorland scenery that most visitors to the area never discover. Brilliant for a Sunday morning walk before heading home.
💳 Pillar Warning in the Away End: The Chadderton Road End has roof support pillars that can obstruct views from some seats. It’s not a deal-breaker — most seats are fine — but worth knowing in advance. The covered roof does at least keep the Pennine wind off you.
⚽ MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE AT BOUNDARY PARK
🏟️ Away Section (2025-26): Away fans are in the Chadderton Road End — a single-tiered, covered stand behind the goal with up to ~3,900 seats. Views are good from most positions, though roof support pillars can affect some areas. Tickets are available on the day as well as in advance.
🔊 Atmosphere: With the Athleticos group now in the Rochdale Road End and the return to the EFL generating real excitement, expect a lively home atmosphere in 2025-26. A well-supported away end in a compact ground like Boundary Park can be a proper football occasion — the covered Chaddy End helps noise carry well.
🍺 Concourse: Food and drinks available in the away end concourse. Standard matchday fare — pies, burgers, hot drinks. The covered concourse provides shelter from the elements pre-match and at half-time. Nothing flash, but perfectly adequate for a League Two matchday.
🎫 Ticketing: Away tickets available via oldhamathletic.co.uk/tickets or on the day at the away turnstiles. Ticket office number: 0161 785 5150. Check the club website for current pricing — League Two prices are very reasonable.
♿ Accessibility: Disabled supporters should contact the club in advance to arrange accessible seating and parking. Phone: 0161 624 4972 | Email: Contact@OldhamAthletic.co.uk. The hospital car park is the most accessible parking option for those with mobility needs.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Boundary Park is proper, old-fashioned English football — a compact ground on the edge of the Pennines with floodlight pylons, a covered terrace and a biting wind that no amount of modern stadium design can keep out. Ice Station Zebra isn’t a nickname; it’s a warning. Bring layers. More than you think you’ll need.
The backdrop to 2025-26 makes this an especially worthwhile trip. Oldham’s return to the Football League after three years in the National League has generated genuine excitement — and the sight of hundreds of fans arriving to clean the stadium before the season began says everything about the community spirit at this club.
The smart move is to build a Manchester weekend around the trip. Drink in the Northern Quarter, explore Gallery Oldham, walk Tandle Hill or head out to Dovestone Reservoir. Then take the tram to Westwood, walk uphill into the Pennine chill, and enjoy one of football’s most authentic away-day experiences.
⚽ Boundary Park — Ice Station Zebra, and proud of it. ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS & LINKS
🏟️ Oldham Athletic FC: 0161 624 4972 | oldhamathletic.co.uk
🎫 Ticket Office: 0161 785 5150 | oldhamathletic.co.uk/tickets
🚂 National Rail: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
🚋 Metrolink (Tram): tfgm.com
🚌 Bus (TfGM): Routes 181, 182 from Manchester Piccadilly | tfgm.com
🏥 Hospital Car Park (Parking): Westhulme Way, Oldham OL1 2PH | ~£5 matchday
🎨 Gallery Oldham: galleryoldham.org.uk
ℹ️ Visit Manchester: visitmanchester.com
♿ Disability Enquiries: 0161 624 4972 | Contact@OldhamAthletic.co.uk
💬 SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Been to Boundary Park? We’d love to hear your thoughts — did you brave the Pennine cold, find the Clayton Green, or make it out to Tandle Hill? Share your away day stories with the Football Nonsense community!
Hashtags: #BoundaryPark #OldhamAthletic #TheLatics #LeagueTwo #AwayDays #IceStationZebra #OAFC #FootballNonsense #Oldham
⚽ Part of the Football Nonsense League Two Away Days Collection
For more away day guides across all four divisions, visit footballnonsense.co.uk
© 2026 Football Nonsense. All rights reserved. Information researched and verified for the 2025-26 season — always check oldhamathletic.co.uk for the latest matchday details before travelling.
John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, he tackles the game’s biggest debates—from the terraces to the boardroom—with honesty, humour, and heart.