Away Supporters Guide

14th April

Welcome to The Hawthorns, the home of West Bromwich Albion Football Club. We want to make your matchday experience as enjoyable as possible and have created this guide which is a must-read for visiting supporters. The guide highlights the answers to any questions you may have prior to your visit to The Hawthorns. If you require any information that isn’t covered in the guide please don’t hesitate to contact us at enquiries@wbafc.co.uk

COVID-19

As of Thursday 27th January 2022 there are currently no legal requirements regarding COVID-19 and entry to the Stadium.

This means that you no longer require to show a COVID Pass to enter the Stadium.

We do still encourage supporters to wear face coverings while in the concourses and other indoor areas.

We also recommend that supporters take a Lateral Flow Test before attending the Stadium, and do not attend matches when testing positive or showing symptoms of COVID-19.

 

Buying Away Match Tickets

If you’d like to attend your Club's fixture here at The Hawthorns please contact your own Club’s Ticket Office for details of when tickets are on sale and how to buy. We are unable to sell match tickets at The Hawthorns directly to away fans. Your Club may apply ticket priority windows for the purchase of tickets and this is at their discretion.

We do not allow away fans in home areas. Please be aware that if you are identified in a section of the ground designated for home supporters you will be removed from the stadium.

Away fans are located in the Smethwick End Stand with it’s own dedicated concourse kiosks and facilities.

Travel to The Hawthorns

The Hawthorns is easy to get to. The Stadium is just 500 metres away from Junction 1 of the M5 and The Hawthorns station is a short 5 minute walk away.

Train and Tram lines run into The Hawthorns Station directly from Birmingham which is less than a 10 minute journey away.

There are a number of different bus routes that run along the A41 stopping adjacent to The Hawthorns.

Click here for more detailed information on how to find us.

Disabled supporters can find more information about the Accessibility facilities of local public transport networks here.

Car Parking

Fans travelling to The Hawthorns by car on matchdays can utilise a range of local car park providers. Please note: car parking is limited. 

Metro service suspended for repairs

Albion supporters are reminded the West Midlands Metro service – including lines to and from The Hawthorns – is suspended until further notice in order to implement repairs.

West Midlands Metro confirmed earlier this month the line would be closed in both directions from Saturday, November 13.

Replacement bus and train services are in operation with Metro tickets and passes valid on the alternative modes of transport detailed below:

  • National Express bus service 74 between West Bromwich and Birmingham
  • National Express bus service 79 between Wolverhampton and West Bromwich
  • National Express bus service 16 between Birmingham city centre and Handsworth Wood
  • National Express bus service 101 between Birmingham city centre and Winson Green/Jewellery Quarter/Handsworth
  • ALL train services between Wolverhampton/Hawthorns and Birmingham

For more information on the suspension of Metro services, click here.

Road Closures

Sandwell Council have amended the event day traffic order which is used to control traffic flow around The Hawthorns on matchdays.

The following road closures are now in place to further ensure the safety of supporters visiting the stadium. 

PRE MATCH

From 95 minutes before kick off:

- Halfords Lane closed to vehicles from Hawthorns Railway Bridge to the Birmingham Road junction, with the exception of users of club operated car parks and residents of Halfords Lane

- Albion Estate residents can only access or leave the estate via Middlemore Road

- Inside lane of the Westbound carriage (towards M5 Junction 1) closed

POST MATCH

- Halfords Lane closed to vehicles from Hawthorns Railway Bridge to the Birmingham Road junction until up to 40 minutes after full time

- Albion Estate residents can only access or leave the estate via the gated entrance on Middlemore Road

- Birmingham Road Westbound carriage (towards M5 junction 1) will be fully closed between Park Lane and Screwfix from 10 minutes before full time for up to 40 minutes after the final whistle

- Users of club car parks will not be able to access or leave the facilities from 10 minutes before full time until all pedestrian traffic has left the area.

Car Parking

Supporters who would like to book car parking close to the Stadium can do so by visiting www.hawthornsparking.co.uk. Passes for individual matches or seasonal passes are available to purchase directly from the provider.

Accessibility

The Hawthorns is a fully accessible stadium with designated entrances around the ground. The accessible entrance for away supporters is in the Smethwick End Stand.

The Club embrace all persons with any form of disability and employs designated Disability Liaison Stewards on a matchday to ensure that everyone has a positive experience.

If you require a Disabled ticket please contact your Club’s Ticket Office to find out how and when you can buy. If you have any questions regarding your visit to The Hawthorns please contact our Disability Liaison Officer Liz Massey on: 0121 227 2227, or email: liz.massey@wbafc.co.uk

Extensive information for disabled supporters is detailed in the Access Statement which can be viewed here.

*The Club reserve the right to check a person’s eligibility under the Equality Act 2010. All supporters with disabilities purchasing tickets at The Hawthorns will be requested to provide an original copy of any of the following prior to purchasing tickets

  • Confirmation of Middle or Higher rate of Disability Living Allowance
  • Confirmation Of Middle to Higher rate of Personal Independence Payment
  • Confirmation of Middle to Higher rate of Attendance allowance
  • Certificate of being Registered Blind or Partially Sighted Please Note; Receipt of a Blue Badge will not be considered sufficient to enable you to purchase tickets at the disability rate.
Countdown to Kick Off

The timings below are based on a 3pm Kick-Off and are intended as a guide for you to plan your matchday. Please note all timings are subject to change and should be adjusted accordingly for different Kick-Off times.

9am Ticket Office & Stadium Megastore open
12 noon Hospitality facilities open
1.30pm Turnstiles open
2.15pm Teams are announced
2.45pm Take your seats for the pre-match build-up
3.00pm Kick-Off
3.45pm Half-Time
4.00pm Second half begins
4.45pm Full-Time
5.15pm Stadium Megastore closes
5.45pm Hospitality facilities close
Matchday Programme

Albion’s matchday programme is available with a new edition every matchday. Including news, interviews and a walk down memory lane as well as activities and competitions for younger supporters.

Programmes are available to buy from sellers located inside and outside the ground, as well as at the Stadium Megastore for just £3.50.

If you can’t make it to the game but would like to add a matchday programme to your collection you can buy online here.

Concourse Kiosks

All of our stands offer a number of refreshment outlets serving a wide selection of food and drink.

Options range from the traditional Pasty and a Bovril, or Pie and a Pint, to Burgers, Pizza, Hot Dogs and Chips. Our drinks selection includes soft drinks, hot drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Payments in the Away End are by credit or debit card only and we can take contactless payments for orders under £30.

Security & Stewarding

The safety and welfare of all supporters and guests is our main priority. All of our Security and Stewarding staff are NVQ trained and background checked.

Additionally all our Stewards undertake a bespoke ‘Disability Awareness’ training module and key staff have received Dementia Awareness Training. Security on matchdays is a prime focus for the Club and all supporters will undergo checks/searches before entry into the stadium in accordance with Ground Regulations.

Please arrive at the turnstiles early so that searching can be carried out and you can enter the stadium with the minimum delay. Note that there are no storage facilities at The Hawthorns for luggage or large bags. Small bags/handbags will be allowed after being searched.

All WBA staff are trained in customer relations and are only too happy to assist any supporter with any queries and or concerns that you may have. They are also trained to evacuate the stadium safely in an emergency should we be required to do so, we have extensive plans in place for emergencies and are in regular communications with the emergency services.

We are making some adjustments to our matchday search regimes following the increase to the UK threat level.

Supporters will be required to open their jackets and empty their pockets. Any bags brought in will need to be opened and there may be a need for a physical search if deemed necessary.

To ensure supporters can enter the ground quickly we would ask that they only bring a minimum amount of possessions with them, with the exception of required medical equipment.

Please note that there is no storage area for supporters with large bags so please do not bring any to the Stadium.

Club History

If you’d like to find out more about the history of West Bromwich Albion click here.

Local Area

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to The Hawthorns, and if you’re planning to make more of a trip to the West Midlands then here’s some useful information for you.

SHOPPING

The Bullring shopping centre is just a short five mile journey with around 160 shops. Next to the Bullring is Grand Central, the shopping and dining facility above Birmingham New Street Station.

Within two miles of The Hawthorns in West Bromwich Town Centre there is a shopping complex called New Square which hosts a variety of shops, cafés, restaurants and a cinema.

ACCOMMODATION

If you require accommodation there is a Park Inn Hotel located near West Bromwich in close proximity to M5 Junction 1, which is around a 15 minute walk to The Hawthorns. We are just a short train or tram ride away from Birmingham City Centre which has hundreds of hotels within walking distance of the city’s public transport.

ENTERTAINMENT

West Bromwich Town Centre has a number of bars and restaurants a short walk away from the Stadium. There is also a cinema in New Square shopping complex.

If you’re staying in Birmingham City Centre there is plenty to do, with hundreds of bars and restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas, and casinos. A little further out of the city is Digbeth which is very much worth a visit. With Ghetto Golf for fun and Digbeth Dining Club offering a fantastic street-food dining experience, you’ll find plenty to do if you extend your stay in the West Midlands!

Safeguarding

We take the responsibility of safeguarding very seriously at the Club, with all activities overseen by Head of Safeguarding, Chris Elliott.

Chris ensures that all children attending the football club or any of our activities are safe and free from harm. All concerns can be presented to Chris directly and confidentially at chris.elliott@wbafc.co.uk or buy calling 07976 660 953.

If you have an urgent matter that requires immediate attention then please contact your local police station or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.

Bringing Items into the Stadium

The Club do not allow travelling fans to bring instruments (drums etc) into the stadium.

Away Supporters wishing to bring flags must make prior contact with the club indicating the size of any flags and including a copy of the fire certificate. Any flags approved must not cover any advertising hoarding or banner.