The City Ground

The City Ground is the storied home of Nottingham Forest FC, a club that achieved the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back European Cups under the legendary Brian Clough. With a capacity of 30,445, this riverside stadium on the banks of the River Trent has witnessed some of English football's most extraordinary moments since opening in 1898. The ground combines historic character with modern development, most notably the impressive Peter Taylor Stand, whilst retaining the atmospheric quality that made Forest a force in European football.

Located in West Bridgford, just across the River Trent from Nottingham city centre, the City Ground sits remarkably close to Notts County's Meadow Lane - making them the closest professional football grounds in England. The stadium's picturesque riverside setting offers a unique matchday experience, with fans crossing Trent Bridge to reach the ground. Whether witnessing Forest's return to Premier League football or exploring the history of Clough's remarkable achievements, the City Ground offers an authentic English football experience comparable to historic venues like Anfield and Villa Park. Sitting alongside other Premier League grounds such as Villa Park and King Power Stadium.

Nottingham Forest — founded in 1865 by a group of shinty players at the Clinton Arms on Shakespeare Street, making it one of the world's oldest football clubs — moved to the City Ground in 1898, beginning a relationship with the Trent-side venue that has endured for over 125 years. The club had previously played at the Forest Recreation Ground, Trent Bridge cricket ground, and Town Ground; the City Ground would become synonymous with Forest's greatest achievements. The early decades saw steady development, with the original Archibald Leitch-influenced Main Stand of 1899 remaining the spine of the West Side until the modern Brian Clough Stand replaced it.

Pre-Clough Foundations

Forest reached two FA Cup finals before the war, winning the 1898 final at the old Crystal Palace ground just months before moving to the City Ground. The 1959 FA Cup win under Billy Walker is still regarded as a fairy tale: Forest beat Luton 2-1 with 10 men after Roy Dwight (Elton John's uncle) broke his leg. Through the 1960s and early 1970s the club drifted, surviving on character rather than results until the arrival of the manager who would change everything.

The Clough Era and Double European Cup Glory

Brian Clough's arrival in January 1975 transformed both club and city. Having won the league title with Derby County and then walked out of Leeds after 44 days, Clough performed miracles at Forest — taking them up from the Second Division as runners-up in 1977, then to First Division champions in 1977-78 at the first attempt, then to consecutive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 (1-0 against Malmö in Munich; 1-0 against Hamburg in Madrid). Forest also won two consecutive League Cups in 1978 and 1979. The City Ground hosted unforgettable European nights — the 2-0 quarter-final win over Liverpool in 1978-79 is still played in pre-match montages. Clough's partnership with Peter Taylor, his scouting and tactical alter ego, created one of football's greatest ever teams from modest resources: Peter Shilton, Kenny Burns, Stuart Pearce, John Robertson, Trevor Francis (the first £1m player), Garry Birtles, Larry Lloyd, John McGovern. Clough remained at the club until 1993, the longest manager-club partnership of the modern era.

Pearce's Captain Years and Stadium Development

Stuart Pearce — "Psycho" — captained the club through the late Clough years and beyond, becoming the most beloved Forest player of the modern era. The Taylor Report following Hillsborough mandated all-seater stadiums, prompting significant redevelopment. The Peter Taylor Stand (named after Clough's assistant) was completed in 1994, becoming the ground's most impressive structure. The Bridgford Stand followed in 1994, whilst the Brian Clough Stand and Trent End were later converted to seating.

The Long Decline

Forest were relegated from the Premier League in 1999 and spent 23 years outside the top flight, occasionally falling as far as League One. Successive managers and ownership groups failed to revive the club. Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek shipping magnate who also owns Olympiacos, bought Forest in 2017 and gradually rebuilt the infrastructure and squad.

Cooper's Miracle and Premier League Return

Steve Cooper was appointed in September 2021 with Forest 24th in the Championship. He took the club to promotion via the play-off final at Wembley in May 2022, ending the 23-year exile and triggering scenes on the City Ground pitch and Trent Bridge that the older supporters had not seen since the Clough years. Cooper survived an extraordinary first Premier League season with thirty-plus new signings; Nuno Espírito Santo succeeded him in December 2023 and stabilised the club, with a high-profile Profit & Sustainability points deduction of four points in March 2024 ultimately not preventing survival. Forest are now an established Premier League club again — a status the Trent End never quite stopped believing in.

How to Get Nottingham Forest Tickets

There are three main ways to attend a Nottingham Forest match at the City Ground:

1. Official Club Tickets (Best Value)

Purchase directly from nottinghamforest.co.uk. Tickets go on sale to members first, with general sale approximately 2-3 weeks before matches. Prices range from £30 (Bridgford corners) to £70 (Brian Clough central). Membership (from £25) provides priority access.

⚠️ Note: Forest's return to the Premier League has increased demand significantly. High-profile matches may require membership or hospitality.

2. Official Hospitality (Guaranteed Access)

Forest offers hospitality packages guaranteeing tickets:

• 1865 Club - Premium matchday experience from £150+
• Executive Boxes - Private suite experience for groups
• Restaurant packages - Dining with match tickets

Book through nottinghamforest.co.uk/hospitality.

3. Third-Party Platforms (Sold-Out Matches)

When official tickets sell out, established platforms offer alternatives:

• LiveFootballTickets - Premier League specialists
• SeatPick - Comparison platform

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Stadium Tours

The City Ground offers behind-the-scenes stadium tours celebrating Forest's remarkable history.

What You'll See

• Home and away dressing rooms where European Cup winners prepared
• Tunnel area walking out as Clough's legends did
• Pitch-side access standing on the touchline
• Brian Clough memorabilia celebrating the club's greatest era
• Trophy displays including European Cup history
• Directors' box and press facilities

Practical Details

• Duration: Approximately 75-90 minutes
• Schedule: Tours run on non-matchday dates throughout the season
• Price: Adults from £15, concessions available
• Accessibility: Tours are wheelchair accessible

Booking

• GetYourGuide - Stadium tours
• Viator - Tour experiences

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Quick Tips

• Book early: Premier League return has increased demand
• Membership: Worth considering for regular attendance
• Arrive early: Cross Trent Bridge with the crowds for atmosphere
• Transport: Walk from Nottingham station (25 minutes) or take a bus

Best Seats at The City Ground

The City Ground offers a classic English football experience with stands of varying ages and characters. Here's the comprehensive guide to seating options.

Brian Clough Stand (Main Stand)

Named after the legendary manager, this stand along the touchline offers the best views. Lower Tier provides excellent proximity to the action (£45-70). Upper Tier offers elevated perspectives across the pitch. Central sections are premium, whilst corners offer better value (£35-55). The stand contains executive facilities and the directors' box.

Peter Taylor Stand (East Side)

The largest and most impressive stand, completed in 1994 and named after Clough's assistant. Two tiers with excellent facilities. Lower Tier (£40-60) offers good views, whilst Upper Tier (£35-55) provides panoramic vistas. This stand dominates the skyline and offers modern facilities.

Trent End (Home End)

The traditional home of Forest's most vocal supporters. This single-tier stand behind the goal generates the majority of atmosphere, particularly for big matches. Prices typically £30-50 for Premier League games. Perfect for atmosphere but views are end-on.

Bridgford Stand (Away End)

Allocated to visiting supporters, this stand at the opposite end from the Trent End provides away allocation. Home fans may be allocated sections for lower-demand matches. Facilities are more basic than newer stands.

VIP & Hospitality

Forest offers hospitality options primarily in the Brian Clough Stand. 1865 Club provides premium matchday experiences from £150+. Executive Boxes offer private viewing. Various packages available for different occasions.

Accessibility

The City Ground provides accessible facilities with wheelchair platforms in all stands. Ambulant disabled seating available. Accessible toilets in all areas. Audio-descriptive commentary available. Contact Forest's accessibility team when booking.

Pro Tips

• Best atmosphere: Trent End with Forest's passionate supporters
• Best views: Brian Clough Stand Lower Tier central sections
• Family area: Sections of Peter Taylor Stand
• Away fans: Bridgford Stand allocation
• Photography: Peter Taylor Stand upper tier offers great angles

A matchday at the City Ground captures the romance of English football — a historic ground, passionate local support, and the memory of European glory nights under Brian Clough. The walk in from Nottingham station across Trent Bridge, with the river on one side and Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on the other, is one of the most distinctive approaches in English football. The Brian Clough statue on the corner of Pavilion Road and Colwick Road, and the Trevor Francis statue outside the Brian Clough Stand, are the traditional meeting points before kickoff.

What to Bring

⚠️ Important: Nottingham Forest operates standard Premier League security. Bags larger than A4 size (21cm x 30cm) are subject to restrictions. Prohibited items include large backpacks, umbrellas, professional cameras, selfie sticks, and alcohol. Recommended items: match ticket (mobile preferred), phone, wallet, layers for changeable Midlands weather. Arrive 45-60 minutes before kickoff for smooth entry.

Pre-Match (2-3 hours before)

The area around the City Ground offers excellent pre-match atmosphere. The Trent Bridge Inn at the south end of Trent Bridge is the traditional pre-match home — opened in 1830 to serve cricket spectators, it now serves Forest supporters and visiting cricket fans in equal measure. The Larwood and Voce opposite Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is the more recently fashionable choice, named after two great English bowlers. The Southbank Bar at the stadium offers home fans a pre-match venue with an outdoor terrace overlooking the river. The Stratford Haven in West Bridgford is a CAMRA-favoured beer house ten minutes from the ground. Across the river, Nottingham city centre provides numerous pubs and restaurants — The Bell Inn on Old Market Square is one of England's oldest pubs, dating from 1437. Walking across Trent Bridge with thousands of fans is part of the matchday ritual. Food vendors operate around the stadium on matchdays; The Embankment on the river path has decent food and a wide outdoor seating area.

Inside the Stadium

Gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff. The Trent End leads the singing, with 'Mull of Kintyre' — Forest's adopted entrance song since the late 1970s — and the chant 'Forest, Forest, Forest!' echoing around the ground as the teams emerge from the tunnel under the Brian Clough Stand. The atmosphere reaches fever pitch for East Midlands Derbies against Leicester City and Derby County (when the latter are in the same division), and for matches against the big six. On European nights — when Forest occasionally qualify for continental competition again — the City Ground's intimate design recreates the intimidating wall of sound of the Clough era.

Food & Drink

Concessions offer traditional matchday fare — pies, burgers, hot dogs, and chips. Expect £4-6 for food items and £5-6 for drinks. Quality is standard Premier League level. Castle Rock — Nottingham's own brewery — features on some concourse taps, alongside the usual lagers. The Southbank Bar offers better food and drink options for those arriving early.

After the Match

Post-match, fans head across Trent Bridge to Nottingham city centre (15-20 minutes' walk). The Lace Market and Hockley areas offer excellent bars and restaurants — World Service and Hart's are the standout dinner spots if you're staying for a Saturday-evening meal. The Stratford Haven stays busy in West Bridgford. Transport can be busy immediately after — consider waiting 20 minutes for crowds to disperse or walking to the city centre via the river path.

International Visitor Tips: Nottingham is easily reached from London St Pancras (90 minutes by train) and has good connections to other major cities. The city is famous as the home of Robin Hood — Nottingham Castle (recently redeveloped) and the Tales of Robin Hood provide cultural context. The Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub built into the castle rock claims to be England's oldest, dating from 1189; Wollaton Hall and its grounds (used as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises) are 15 minutes by taxi. Combine football with exploring this historic East Midlands city.

Where to Stay for The City Ground

Near the Stadium

Search hotels near the City Ground

The City Ground is in West Bridgford, a pleasant residential area immediately south of the river. Most visitors stay in Nottingham city centre (15-20 minutes' walk across Trent Bridge) for better hotel choice and nightlife, but a small number of good options exist within walking distance of the ground.

Bridgford Hall Hotel (West Bridgford, 1 km)

Boutique hotel in a converted Victorian mansion just behind the Peter Taylor Stand. Walking distance to the stadium with character, gardens and charm. Restaurant on site; particularly popular with hospitality guests pre-match.

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Premier Inn Nottingham Central (Trent Bridge) (1.5 km)

Reliable chain hotel near Trent Bridge in an ideal position for stadium access. Good value with consistent quality and a five-minute walk to the turnstiles via the bridge.

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Ibis Nottingham Centre (1.8 km)

Budget option on the city-centre side of the river. Quick walk across Trent Bridge and the only chain that reliably has rooms at the last minute on big matchday weekends.

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City Centre Options (Recommended)

Search hotels in Nottingham City Centre

Nottingham city centre offers excellent hotels with easy walking access to the City Ground via Trent Bridge.

Hart's Hotel (city centre)

Boutique hotel in a purpose-built property near Nottingham Castle. Excellent Hart's Restaurant, stylish rooms, and one of Nottingham's finest hotels. The premium pick for those combining football and culture.

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Crowne Plaza Nottingham (city centre)

Upscale hotel in the heart of Nottingham with pool and spa facilities. Modern rooms, good restaurants, and convenient for all city attractions.

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The Lace Market Hotel (city centre)

Stylish hotel in Nottingham's historic Lace Market district. Georgian townhouse conversion with character and excellent location for nightlife. The cult choice for design-conscious weekenders.

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Hotel ibis Styles Nottingham (city centre)

The budget chain choice in the centre, well-positioned for nightlife and the walk to the ground.

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Our Recommendation

Stay in Nottingham city centre — the walk across Trent Bridge is part of the matchday experience, and the city offers excellent restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions. The Lace Market and Hockley areas are particularly good for nightlife.

For proximity to the ground, Bridgford Hall in West Bridgford offers characterful accommodation with an easy walk to the City Ground. Hart's Hotel is the premium choice for those wanting Nottingham's finest. Premier Inn Trent Bridge is the dependable matchday-logistics pick at chain-hotel prices.