⚽ RODNEY PARADE ⚽
Newport County Complete Travel Guide – 2026-27 Season
ℹ️ 2026-27 Season Guide: All information has been researched and verified for Newport County’s fourteenth consecutive League Two season. Always check newport-county.co.uk for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel.
⚽ ABOUT RODNEY PARADE
Rodney Parade is a genuinely historic ground, opened in 1877, and the third-oldest continuously used sports venue in the Football League, behind only Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground and Preston’s Deepdale. Sitting on the east bank of the River Usk right in Newport city centre, the stadium is shared with Dragons RFC (regional rugby union), with Newport County becoming tenants in 2012. Football capacity is around 7,850, lower than the full rugby capacity of 8,700.
The ground features two covered stands running the length of the pitch – the two-tier Candleston Stand (west) and the Bisley Stand (east), which houses away supporters – plus an uncovered North Terrace. Redevelopment work in 2017 saw the Welsh Rugby Union purchase the ground and install a hybrid pitch, with a private consortium taking ownership in 2023.
Newport County – The Exiles – have a rich and occasionally dramatic history, including a memorable “great escape” from relegation in 2016-17, a season that also saw them draw with Tottenham Hotspur and beat Leeds United in the FA Cup. That Cup run culminated in a famous fourth-round tie against Spurs in 2018, which set the stadium’s overall attendance record.
The club’s fiercest rivalries include Swindon Town, plus the Welsh derby against Wrexham and a long-standing historical rivalry with Hereford. Now in their fourteenth consecutive League Two season, Newport’s passionate support has stuck with the club through some genuinely turbulent financial periods over the years.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | Around 7,850 for football (8,700 for rugby) |
| Opened | 1877 (Newport County tenants since 2012) |
| Address | Rodney Road, Newport, NP19 0UU |
| Away Section | Bisley Stand (one side, covered, along the touchline) |
| Away Allocation | Typically around 600-2,000 depending on demand and fixture |
| Record Attendance | 9,836 vs Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup 4th Round, 27 January 2018) |
ℹ️ Rodney Parade is a dual-use rugby and football ground, so the pitch and stand configuration can look slightly different from a typical football-only stadium.
🚗 GETTING TO RODNEY PARADE
Rodney Parade sits right in Newport city centre, an easy walk of around 10-15 minutes from Newport railway station across the River Usk. Newport is well connected by rail from South Wales, Bristol and London, making this one of the more straightforward League Two away days to reach.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Rodney Parade Address: Rodney Road, Newport, NP19 0UU
🚂 BY TRAIN – Genuinely Easy
Why Trains Work: Newport station is well served, with direct trains from Cardiff (around 20 minutes), Bristol (around 25 minutes) and London Paddington (around 1 hour 30 minutes). The ground is a flat, easy walk across the River Usk.
Journey Times to Newport Station:
🔴 London Paddington: Around 1 hour 30 minutes (direct)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: Around 2 hours (direct, CrossCountry)
🟡 Manchester Piccadilly: Around 3 hours (direct or change)
🟢 Bristol Temple Meads: Around 25 minutes (direct)
🔵 Cardiff Central: Around 15-20 minutes (very frequent)
Getting from Newport Station to the Stadium
🚶 Walking (around 10-15 minutes)
Exit the station and turn left along Queensway, follow to the large roundabout, then take the pedestrian underpass and head towards Clarence Place and the River Usk. Cross the bridge, take the first right into Rodney Parade, and the stadium is on your left.
🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
🔗 Newport County Official Site: newport-county.co.uk
🚗 BY CAR
Newport is accessible via the M4 and A48, with the ground sitting in a residential part of the city centre.
Parking Options:
- No Stadium Parking: There is no dedicated away fan parking at Rodney Parade itself.
- City Centre Car Parks: Several pay-and-display car parks within walking distance of the ground via the footbridge – the safest and most practical option.
- Street Parking: Available in some areas beyond the immediate residential restriction zone, though restrictions can apply to one side of a road and not the other – check signage very carefully, and avoid Corporation Road and streets immediately next to the stadium.
💡 Top Tip: If travelling from Bristol or London, the train is strongly recommended over driving – Newport station is a straightforward 10-minute walk from the ground.
🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR RODNEY PARADE
⚠️ Important Advice: There are no officially designated away pubs, but a decent range are available near the ground and in the city centre. Some venues require colours to be covered.
🍺 Near the Ground (Chepstow Road)
🍺 The Godfrey Morgan (Chepstow Road)
The local Wetherspoons, listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide and consistently the most popular option for away fans near the ground. Reliable, affordable, and around 10 minutes’ walk from the stadium.
Distance to Stadium: 10 minutes’ walk | Price: £
🍺 The Dodger (Chepstow Road)
The closest traditional pub to the ground, a straightforward option if you want something nearer than the town centre.
Distance to Stadium: Very close | Price: ££
🍺 City Centre & Near the Station
🍺 The Murrenger (High Street)
One of Newport’s most historic pubs, named after a medieval fee once charged to maintain the town walls. A proper city-centre pub with character and a decent range of ales, popular with away fans walking in from the station towards the footbridge.
Distance to Stadium: City centre, on the walking route | Price: ££
🍺 The Queens Hotel (Bridge Street)
A Wetherspoons hotel near the station, popular with away fans arriving by train, with cheap drinks and rooms available if you’re staying overnight.
Distance to Stadium: Near station | Price: £
🍺 The John Wallace Linton (Cambrian Road)
Another popular choice near the station for fans arriving by train.
Distance to Stadium: Near station | Price: £
🍺 At the Stadium
🍺 The Clubhouse (at the ground)
Rodney Parade’s own clubhouse welcomes away supporters, serving hot and cold drinks and a small range of food. Gets busy given the limited nearby alternatives.
Distance to Stadium: On the footprint | Price: ££
🍔 Food Options: Friars Walk, on the route from the station to the ground, has a range of restaurants. The recently renovated Newport Market food hall on High Street offers a variety of independent food traders and cuisines – a great pre-match option. Standard fast food chains are also available in the town centre.
💡 Local Tip: The renovated Newport Market is genuinely worth a visit – one of the best pre-match food options in the town.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN NEWPORT
Newport has a good range of accommodation for a South Wales city, from budget chains near the station to a genuinely world-class golf and spa resort just outside town.
£ Budget Options (£40-65 per night)
Travelodge Newport
Located right next to the train station, a straightforward and budget-friendly base.
Book: travelodge.co.uk
££ Mid-Range Options (£70-110 per night)
The Queens Hotel
Budget rooms above a lively Wetherspoons pub near the station – good value and genuinely convenient for train travellers.
£££ Premium Options (£140+ per night)
Celtic Manor Resort
A genuinely world-class golf and spa resort just outside Newport, host to the 2010 Ryder Cup – a real treat if you’re making a weekend of your trip.
Book: celtic-manor.com
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN NEWPORT
Newport is a historic port city with genuine Roman roots and some fascinating attractions worth exploring beyond the match.
🏰 Newport Castle (Must Visit!)
Medieval castle ruins right by the river, passed on the walking route between the station and Rodney Parade – genuinely atmospheric and easy to combine with your matchday walk.
Cost: FREE to view exterior | Time: Allow 20-30 minutes
🏪 Newport Market
A recently and impressively renovated indoor market, part of one of Europe’s largest indoor market regeneration projects – a brilliant destination for food, drink and browsing.
Cost: FREE entry | Time: Allow 1 hour
🌉 Newport Transporter Bridge
A genuinely unique Grade II* listed transporter bridge, one of only a handful still operating in the world – a fascinating piece of industrial heritage.
Cost: Small charge for crossings | Time: Allow 30-45 minutes
⛪ St Woolos Cathedral
Newport’s cathedral has roots dating back to the 9th century, with Norman, medieval and Victorian additions layered on top – a peaceful spot with genuine history behind its ornate stonework and stained glass.
Cost: FREE (donations welcome) | Time: Allow 30-45 minutes
🏛️ Newport Museum & Art Gallery
One of Wales’s oldest museums, open since 1888, with exhibits spanning natural history, social history and archaeology alongside a strong art collection.
Cost: FREE | Time: Allow 1 hour
Nearby Attractions
Celtic Manor Resort:
Just outside town, host to the 2010 Ryder Cup – world-class golf and spa facilities.
Cardiff:
Just 15-20 minutes by train, offering a much wider range of attractions and nightlife if you fancy extending the trip.
🏴☗️ THE NEWPORT EXPERIENCE
🏰 Historic Ground: Rodney Parade is the third-oldest continuously used venue in the Football League, opened way back in 1877.
🌉 Unique Bridge: The Newport Transporter Bridge is one of the last operating transporter bridges anywhere in the world – a genuine oddity worth seeking out.
🏌️ Ryder Cup Heritage: The Celtic Manor Resort just outside town hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup – genuine world-class golfing pedigree on Newport’s doorstep.
⚽ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🏆 The Great Escape: Newport’s 2016-17 survival, including a draw with Tottenham and a win over Leeds United, remains a defining modern moment for the club.
🏉️ Dual-Use Ground: Rodney Parade is shared with Dragons rugby union – don’t be surprised by the slightly different feel compared to a football-only stadium.
🅿️ No Stadium Parking: There’s no dedicated parking at the ground – use the city centre car parks instead.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Rodney Parade is a genuinely historic ground, the third-oldest continuously used venue in the Football League, and its dual role as a rugby stadium gives it a slightly different character to most League Two grounds. The Bisley Stand offers away fans a covered, decent view along the touchline, and the ground’s city-centre location makes this one of the more convenient away days in the division.
Newport itself has genuine character – the castle ruins right by the river, the impressively renovated indoor market, and the wonderfully unusual Transporter Bridge all make for a worthwhile pre-match explore. Cardiff is also just a short train ride away if you fancy extending the trip.
Our advice? Get the train to Newport, walk over the river past the castle ruins, grab a pint at the Godfrey Morgan or the historic Murrenger, then head to Rodney Parade for kick-off. A convenient, historically rich League Two away day.
Get the train to Newport, explore a genuinely historic city, and enjoy one of the Football League’s oldest grounds!
⚽ Come On You Exiles! ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
⚽ Newport County: newport-county.co.uk
🎫 Ticket Office: newport-county.co.uk/tickets
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
🅿️ Newport City Council Parking: newport.gov.uk/parking
ℹ️ Visit Newport: visitnewport.wales
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⚽ Part of the Football Nonsense League Two Away Days Collection
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John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.