Leeds United – Elland Road

Complete Away Day Travel Guide

⚪💙 ABOUT ELLAND ROAD

Elland Road is one of English football’s most famous and atmospheric stadiums, home to Leeds United since 1919. Located in the Beeston area of south Leeds, approximately 2 miles from Leeds city centre, this 37,890-capacity ground is one of the largest in the Premier League. Elland Road has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in English football history, particularly during Leeds’ glory days under Don Revie in the 1960s and 1970s, when they dominated English and European football.

The stadium features four modern stands – the East Stand (away section), West Stand, North Stand, and the impressive two-tiered South Stand. The atmosphere at Elland Road when Leeds are in form is genuinely electric – “Marching On Together” echoing around the ground is one of football’s great experiences. This is a proper football cathedral with passionate supporters and incredible history.

Leeds United – The Whites or The Peacocks – are one of England’s historic giants, founded in 1919. Leeds have won the English top-flight championship three times (1968-69, 1973-74, 1991-92), the FA Cup once (1972), the League Cup once (1968), and reached the European Cup Final in 1975 (losing controversially to Bayern Munich).

The club’s golden era under legendary manager Don Revie produced one of the greatest teams in English football history, featuring icons such as Billy Bremner, Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter, Eddie Gray, and Peter Lorimer. Leeds were champions of Europe’s second tier in 1968 and 1971 (Inter-Cities Fairs Cup), and were known for their fierce determination and never-say-die attitude.

The famous all-white strip was adopted in 1961, inspired by Real Madrid. Leeds supporters are among football’s most passionate and loyal, having stuck with their club through administration in 2004 and a fall to League One. Matches against Manchester United create one of English football’s fiercest rivalries, whilst Yorkshire derbies against Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Huddersfield are intense affairs. Leeds United represents Yorkshire pride and football at its most passionate.

📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS

🚗 GETTING TO ELLAND ROAD

Elland Road is located in the Beeston area of south Leeds, approximately 2 miles from Leeds city centre. Leeds Station has excellent rail connections from across the UK. The ground is accessible by bus, taxi, or on foot from the station and the city centre. The stadium is also accessible by car from the M1 and M62 motorways, with reasonable parking options.

🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP

Elland Road Address: Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES

🚂 BY TRAIN – The Recommended Choice

Why Trains Work: Leeds Station is one of the UK’s busiest stations, with excellent connections across the country. From the station, Elland Road is approximately 2 miles – either a 35-40 minute walk (long but doable), a 10-15 minute bus ride (frequent services), or a 10-minute taxi journey. The bus is genuinely the best option – cheap, frequent, and drops you near the ground. Leeds is well connected by rail, making this an easy away day.

Journey Times to Leeds Station:

Getting from Leeds Station to Elland Road

💡 Top Tip: Arrive at Leeds Station 3-4 hours before kick-off. Leeds is a brilliant city – explore the Victorian Quarter and arcades, grab lunch in one of Leeds’ excellent restaurants (the food scene is outstanding!), have drinks in city centre pubs, then catch the bus or taxi to Elland Road around 90 minutes before kick-off. Leeds combines top-level football with a vibrant, exciting city – make a proper weekend of it!

🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com

🔗 First Bus: firstbus.co.uk/west-yorkshire

🔗 Leeds United Official Site: leedsunited.com

🚗 BY CAR – Reasonable Parking Options

⚠️ Parking Information: Elland Road has reasonable parking facilities compared to many grounds, with several car parks around the stadium and some street parking in surrounding areas. However, these fill up on big matchdays and post-match exit traffic can be slow, especially for high-profile fixtures. The bus from Leeds city centre (10-15 mins, £2-£3) is genuinely easier and allows you to enjoy Leeds properly.

If You Drive:

• Directions: From M1 Junction 43, follow signs to Leeds/Elland Road. From the M62, take the A643 into Leeds following stadium signs. Well signposted on approach
• Official Stadium Car Parks: Several car parks around Elland Road (£10-£15). Booking in advance is recommended for big fixtures via the club website
• Elland Road Park & Ride: Available for some fixtures; check the club website.
• Street Parking: Surrounding streets in Beeston have some parking (arrive 2+ hours early, check restrictions carefully). Many streets are residents-only on matchdays
• City Centre Car Parks: Park in Leeds city centre (The Light, Merrion Centre – £8- £12), then take the bus to the ground. Easier exit after the match!
• Private Driveways: Local residents offer parking £10-£15 – book in advance at yourparkingspace.co.uk or parkopedia.co.uk

🚨 Our Advice: If driving, arrive at least 90 minutes early to secure parking and explore the area before the match. Post-match exit takes 30-45 minutes for big games. Alternatively, the train connections to Leeds are excellent, and the bus to Elland Road is frequent and cheap – genuinely the easier option for most fans!

🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR ELLAND ROAD

⚠️ CRITICAL ADVICE: Pubs immediately around Elland Road are Leeds strongholds and generally NOT safe for away fans in colours, especially for high-profile fixtures or Yorkshire derbies. The safest and most enjoyable approach is to drink in Leeds city centre (2 miles from the stadium), which has hundreds of excellent pubs, bars, and restaurants, then catch the bus or taxi to Elland Road. Leeds city centre is safer, offers far better options, and offers a brilliant city experience. DO NOT wear away colours around the ground.

🍺 City Centre Pubs (Safe for Away Fans)

🍺 Near the Stadium (AVOID for Away Fans)

🍔 Food Options: Leeds has an outstanding food scene – the city centre has everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food, brilliant curry houses (especially on York Road), independent cafes in the Victoria Quarter, and every chain imaginable. Trinity Kitchen has rotating street food vendors.

Near Elland Road, options are limited to a few takeaways. Stadium concourses have pies, burgers, and hot food. Leeds is genuinely one of England’s best cities for food!

🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN LEEDS

Leeds offers excellent accommodation across all price ranges. Being Yorkshire’s largest city with a thriving business and leisure scene, there are hundreds of hotels. Stay in the city centre for the best experience – nightlife, restaurants, shops, and easy transport to Elland Road. Book well in advance for big fixtures, especially Yorkshire derbies.

💷 Budget Options (£50-£80 per night)

💷💷 Mid-Range Options (£80-£150 per night)

💷💷💷 Luxury Options (£150+ per night)

🎭 THINGS TO DO IN LEEDS

Leeds is one of England’s great cities with world-class shopping, an outstanding food scene, fascinating history, brilliant nightlife, and vibrant cultural offerings. This is a proper major city that combines football with an excellent urban experience. Make a full weekend of it!

🎭 LEEDS EXPERIENCE

⚽ MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

Visiting Elland Road is experiencing one of English football’s great cathedrals and most passionate atmospheres. This 37,890-capacity stadium has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in English football history, particularly during Don Revie’s legendary team of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which won three English championships, the FA Cup, and the League Cup, and reached the 1975 European Cup Final.

Icons like Billy Bremner (the greatest Leeds player ever), Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter (“Bites Yer Legs”), Eddie Gray, and Peter Lorimer created one of the finest teams English football has produced. When 37,000 fans sing “Marching On Together” at Elland Road, it’s genuinely one of football’s most spine-tingling experiences. Leeds United represents Yorkshire pride, passion, and a club that’s never done things the easy way.

But Elland Road is just the beginning of a brilliant Leeds weekend. This is one of England’s great cities with stunning Victorian architecture (the shopping arcades are world-class!), an outstanding food scene (one of the best outside London), excellent nightlife, and world-class FREE attractions like the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, and Kirkstall Abbey’s spectacular 12th-century ruins.

Leeds combines major-city vibrancy with genuine Yorkshire character – the people are friendly, the city is compact and walkable, and there’s genuine northern authenticity. The Victorian Quarter is gorgeous, The Calls waterfront area is brilliant, and the nightlife scene is genuinely one of England’s best. This is a proper major city that deserves a full weekend.

The logistics work brilliantly – Leeds Station has excellent connections from across the UK (London 2hrs 15mins, Manchester 50mins, Sheffield 35mins, Newcastle 1hr 20mins). From the station, catch the bus to Elland Road (routes 51, 52, 54 or matchday buses – 10-15 mins, £2-£3) or taxi (10 mins, £10-£15).

Our advice? Arrive early, explore Leeds’ stunning Victorian arcades, grab lunch in one of the city’s excellent restaurants (the food scene is outstanding!), have drinks in city centre pubs (Wetherspoons like The Scarbrough or The Palace are safest for away fans, or try historic Whitelock’s), then catch the bus to Elland Road around 90 minutes before kick-off.

DO NOT wear away colours around the ground or attempt to drink in pubs near Elland Road – Leeds fans are passionate, and the area around the ground is intense on matchdays. Stick to the city centre where it’s safe!

Take the train to Leeds, explore this brilliant city, experience the Royal Armouries and Victorian arcades, catch the bus to Elland Road, and witness one of English football’s most famous atmospheres!

⚪💛💙 Marching On Together! ⚪

📞 USEFUL CONTACTS

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