St Mary's Stadium — Attraction in Southampton

I recently ran the inaugural ‘Run Southampton’ 10K which started and finished in St Mary’s. The last time I was here was back in 2003 when Liverpool beat Saints with a rare headed goal by Emile Heskey. Fortunately I was in with the scousers for that game. As any Liverpool fans celebrating outside of the ‘away pen’ got a good seeing to from disgruntled Southampton fans seeming to do what they do best. Although in the walk back through the local Six Dials area to the train station heavily escorted by the local constabulary there were a few minibus loads of Liverpool lads randomly stopping to beat the still upset Saints lads with their own shoes. As for the stadium it is typical of an easy access, no frills 30k capacity stadium. Does what it says on the tin. They look after their pitch well and access is reasonably good. The area around the stadium is interesting and could be mistaken for being horribly run down, but in closer inspection of the Northam Road area reveals character, in the form of shop fronts previously used on a few occasions as film sets, historically this was the ‘go to’ place in Soton, as aging locals at The Alfred Arms would tell you. All-in-all a cultural masterpiece covering the decades all mashed together and smeared across the urban landscape with St Mary’s being the piece de resistance. Could though be a while til they see any sort of...

Exploring Southampton FC's St Mary's Stadium on a non-match day was a unique and engaging experience. The absence of the bustling matchday crowd allowed for a more intimate connection with the iconic venue.

The architectural grandeur of St Mary's Stadium became more apparent as I wandered through the stands and concourses. The empty seats provided a tranquil backdrop, offering a different perspective on the scale and design of the stadium.

The club's rich history was on full display, with memorabilia and exhibits celebrating key moments in Southampton FC's journey. From the meticulously maintained pitch to the well-curated displays, every aspect of the stadium showcased the pride and heritage of the club.

Despite it not being a match day, the staff at St Mary's were welcoming and accommodating, eager to share insights into the stadium's features and history. The absence of the usual matchday hustle allowed for a leisurely exploration, fostering a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts that contribute to the vibrant matchday experience.

In summary, visiting St Mary's Stadium on a non-match day offered a unique opportunity to soak in the essence of Southampton FC. Whether you're a dedicated football fan or simply interested in the architecture and history of sports venues, St Mary's stands out as a must-visit...

Good atomsphere, seating is very good too even right at the back, get to see plenty of action. Parking is a bit of a bummer as it quite far away and gets more expensive the further away you get.🤔. Food is reasonable and priced fairly, very basic but it is what you expect for somewhere that has to cater for 20000+ people. Everything is kept in good condition and clean which is a nice bonus from other stadiums I have visited. Staff are friendly and always happy to help with anything you may need. The one gripe and it may be something I missed is the lack of signage. It is very easy to walk around the whole stadium only to realise that you are pretty much back where you started for things like the shop and ticket office. As I say, it may be something I missed, if so I'm just being dim, but if that is something I didn't miss then I think it would be a nice addition. Overall brilliant experience even as a non saints supporter. Definitely...