Essential information for Cherries fans travelling to Liberty Stadium for Swansea City v AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

The ground

  • Capacity: 20,814 (all seated)
  • Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA
  • Telephone: 01792 616600
  • Weather forecast: There are likely to be showers in Swansea today, with temperatures a cool 7C.

Stadium history

Swansea moved to the Liberty Stadium in 2005 after 93 years at their Vetch Field home.

The £30million stadium was christened White Rock by the fans but formally named the Liberty Stadium under a 10 year sponsorship deal.

Stands

The stadium, which is shared with Ospreys Rugby Union Club, is completely enclosed with four corners filled with seating.

Each stand is two-tiered and three are the same height.

The West Stand is slightly taller, with a row of 28 corporate hospitality boxes above the upper tier.

One feature is the transparent roofing towards the South End of the stadium, which lets more light into the stadium.

Outside the ground is a statue of former Swansea legend Ivor Allchurch.

Where will away fans be housed?

Away fans will be in the North Stand, with capacity for up to £2,000 people.

Apparently leg room is great at the ground, and, given the age of the ground, the facilities have been rated as very good.

There are food outlets there, along with a number of television sets for pre-match and half-time entertainment.

Some visitors have said the atmosphere generated by the home fans is excellent, but also intimidating.

Where to drink and eat?

Some pubs surrounding the stadium do not allow away fans entry, so some recommended fans drink in the city centre. The Harvester has been recommended as an away friendly option along with Frankie and Benny's, both to the south-west of of Liberty Stadium at Morfa Shopping Park, next to the stadium.

The retail park also includes a KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks if that takes your fancy.

In the city centre larger chain pubs like Yates, Wetherspoons and The No Sign Bar are popular destinations for travelling fans. The stadium itself also offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks before the game.

The club opens the turnstiles around an hour-and-a-half before the game so fans can eat and drink there.

Parking

All away fans are encouraged to use the Park and Ride facility at the old steel works site off junction 46 of the M4.

Cost is £6 per car and included transport by bus to and from the stadium.

Buses wait outside the away stand at the end of the game to transport supporters.

If you need is there is some street parking nearby, with a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. BUT police apparently close the A4067 road past the stadium after the match, which prevents you from getting back on the M4 that way.

The post code for Sat Navs is SA1 2FA.

Rail travel

Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington.

It is about two miles from the stadium with regular buses, every ten minutes, on routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132 and taxis around £6 are available from the train station to the stadium.

You can walk via the High Street, then turn right into Neath Road before walking straight until you reach the stadium on your right.

Facilities for disabled fans

There are 26 spaces for wheelchair away supporters in the North Stand at the front of the upper tier. There is a lift to help disabled fans gain access. Five car parking spaces are reserved for visiting disabled fans at the stadium, at a cost of £10 per vehicle, but these must be booked in advance through AFC Bournemouth.

There is also a disabled drop-off point and the park and ride is also wheelchair friendly.

Coaches

You will need to have pre-booked coach travel through the club by now.

But for those for who have, and need reminding of the leaving times from Dean Court, it will depart at 8am.