Derby County are one of English football’s historic clubs, with league titles under Brian Clough and Dave Mackay and a proud East Midlands identity. Based at Pride Park after many decades at the Baseball Ground, the Rams carry a large support and fierce rivalries, particularly with Nottingham Forest. Recent years have included administration, recovery and a return to the Championship.
Pride Park Stadium is a modern out-of-town stadium that has been Derby County's home since the club left the Baseball Ground in 1997. It is a four-sided, enclosed stadium with a balanced modern design, good sightlines and a more spacious feel than many older city grounds. The main areas are the West Stand, East Stand, North Stand and South Stand, with corner sections linking the bowl together.
The South Stand is the main home atmosphere end and includes licensed safe-standing areas. The upper tier of the South-East Corner is also licensed for visiting supporters where applicable. The stadium sits within the wider Pride Park business and leisure area, close to Derby Arena and a walkable distance from Derby railway station. It is a functional, modern Championship ground rather than a tight old terrace-style stadium, but it can still generate strong noise when the South Stand is full.
The Brian Clough connection gives Derby and Forest a rivalry with history, silverware and a personal edge unlike most regional derbies.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A Derbyshire rivalry with Chesterfield relishing the chance to challenge the county’s bigger football name.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
Away supporters are normally housed in the South East Corner of Pride Park Stadium. Derby County's visiting supporter information states that the away supporters' section is located in the South East Corner Stand and is clearly signposted around the stadium. The away coach park is opposite the south-east corner, with only a short walk of around two to three minutes from the coach parking area to the away section.
The Away Ticket Office is also located at the south-east corner and Derby's away accessibility information states that it opens one hour and 30 minutes before kick-off. Allocation size can vary by fixture, but the South East Corner is the normal away area. Visiting fans should head for that corner on arrival rather than approaching the South Stand home areas.
Use the M1 southbound and leave at Junction 28 or 25 depending on your route, then follow the A38 or A52 towards Derby. Pride Park is signed from the A52 Brian Clough Way and sits just east of the city centre. The road network is good, but the final approaches around Pentagon Island and Pride Park can queue heavily.
Use the M1 northbound and leave at Junction 25, then take the A52 towards Derby and follow signs for Pride Park. This is the most straightforward road approach for most away supporters. Once close, choose your car park before arriving, as traffic around the retail park and stadium roads can be slow.
Use the A52 westbound from Nottingham or the east Midlands and follow signs for Derby and Pride Park. The stadium sits just off this route and is easy to locate. Matchday traffic often queues near the Wyvern / Pride Park junctions, so allow extra time from the A52 exit to parking.
Use the A50, A38 or A52 routes towards Derby, then follow signs for Pride Park rather than crossing deep into the city centre. Approaches from Burton, Stoke and the west can become busy at roundabouts near the station and Pentagon Island. Pre-booked or signed parking is recommended.
Derby Station is the correct rail station for Pride Park and is the best option for virtually all supporters travelling by train. The stadium is around a 10 to 15-minute walk from the station via the Pride Park side, making Derby one of the easier Championship grounds for rail access.
From the north, services arrive from Sheffield, Leeds and the north-east via CrossCountry or East Midlands routes. From the south, use services from London St Pancras, Leicester, Birmingham, Bristol or Nottingham connections. After the match, Derby station is busy but close enough for a straightforward walk back.
From Derby station, Pride Park Stadium is a straightforward walk of around 10 to 15 minutes. Leave the station towards Pride Park, cross the main road and follow the signed pedestrian route through the business park towards the stadium. It is one of the easier rail walks in the Championship, but allow extra time after the match because the station route gets busy.
East Midlands Airport is the best airport for Derby County. The airport is not on the rail network, so use the Skylink bus towards Derby city centre / Derby station, then continue to Pride Park on foot, by shuttle if operating, or by taxi.
For most supporters, Skylink to Derby and then the short final hop to Pride Park is the simplest public transport plan. A taxi direct from the airport to the stadium is also practical because the airport is local to Derby, but pre-booking is sensible around busy matchdays.
Birmingham Airport is a good secondary option for Derby because the airport is linked to Birmingham International by the Air-Rail Link, with onward rail connections via Birmingham New Street towards Derby. From Derby station, Pride Park is walkable or a short taxi ride.
This is a realistic choice if East Midlands flights do not suit. It is usually easier than using airports further north, provided rail connections through Birmingham are running well.
Arriva services 1 and 1A are useful local options for Pride Park depending on your starting point in Derby. They can help with the final section from the city side if you do not want the walk from Derby station. Check the latest route and stop information before travelling because local service patterns can change.
Skylink Derby is useful for supporters travelling from East Midlands Airport, Derby city centre and the Pride Park side of the city. It is not a football-only route, but it is one of the more practical bus services for the business park and stadium area. Allow extra time if using it near kick-off.
Several local Derby services from the bus station run towards Pride Park, Wyvern and the eastern side of the city. This is useful if you arrive in Derby by coach or are staying centrally. Confirm the exact stop for Pride Park before boarding and allow time for the walk across the business park.
Albatross Cars are a long-established Derby private hire firm. A taxi from Derby station, bus station or city-centre hotels to Pride Park is short and usually simple, although the final roads around the stadium and business park can be slow after full-time. Book early for evening fixtures.
Derby County advise away supporters to use the Derby Conference Centre on London Road, DE24 8UX. It is not an official Derby County car park, but it is a regular and convenient option around 10 to 15 minutes from the away section. Spaces are commonly pre-booked through parking providers with guide pricing around £10, and the A6 location makes it useful from both city centre and motorway approaches.
There are parking options around Pride Park itself, but the closest spaces fill quickly and traffic around the stadium can be slow after the match. If using a stadium-area car park, arrive early, check whether it requires pre-booking, and avoid parking in retail or business spaces where restrictions apply. The ground is walkable from Derby station, so parking slightly further out is often easier.
City-centre car parks are a practical alternative for Pride Park, especially if you are arriving early for food or pubs. Park centrally, then walk to the stadium via the station side, normally around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the car park. This can be a better exit strategy than parking directly beside the stadium if you are heading back towards the A52 or A38 after full-time.
A well-known real-ale pub close to Derby station and a common stop for travelling supporters. It is handy before moving on to Pride Park by foot or taxi, and avoids searching for pubs right beside the stadium.
Another station-side pub with a good beer reputation, useful for away fans arriving by rail. Pride Park is walkable from here, but leave time for the route through the business park and stadium approaches.
Derbion shopping centre gives a simple range of food options in the city centre, useful if you arrive early or are travelling with family. From there, continue to Pride Park by taxi, bus or a longer walk.
A well-known Indian restaurant in Derby, suited to evening games or overnight trips rather than a quick pre-match bite. It is central, so plan the onward journey to Pride Park.
One of the most convenient hotels for Pride Park, located in the business park area within walking distance of the stadium. It is useful for away fans who want to avoid city-centre transfers.
A city-centre hotel option with good access to Derby bars, restaurants and the station. Pride Park is then reachable by taxi, bus or a longer walk.
Pride Park is generally one of the more straightforward away grounds to navigate because the away coach park, away ticket office and away turnstiles are all around the South East Corner. Rail travellers can walk from Derby station, although the route can feel longer in poor weather and becomes busy after the match. Drivers should plan parking in advance rather than assuming spaces directly at the stadium.
Derby have recommended away supporter parking at Derby Conference Centre on London Road for some fixtures, around a 10 to 15-minute walk from the stadium, with the car park signposted as away supporter parking. The roads around Pride Park and the Wyvern / business park area can become slow after full time, so allow time for the getaway. If collecting tickets, head straight to the South East Corner rather than the main home ticket office.
Home tickets are sold through Derby County's official ticketing system and Pride Park ticket office. For a neutral, the East or West Stand gives the best side-on view and a balanced picture of the game. Supporters wanting the main home atmosphere should look towards the South Stand, which is Derby's strongest singing area and includes licensed safe-standing sections. Those wanting a quieter visit may prefer the side stands rather than the South Stand.
Away supporters should buy through their own club once the allocation is released. Visiting fans are normally placed in the South East Corner, with away collections handled at the Away Ticket Office in that same corner. Availability for matchday sales or duplicate tickets depends on the fixture, police advice and the travelling club's arrangements, so this should be checked before setting off.
Pride Park operates standard football ground regulations, and Derby publish specific policies on bags, flags and matchday safety. The club's bag policy states that bags must be no larger than 45cm x 30cm x 15cm and that all permitted bags will be searched. Pride Park does not operate a left-luggage service, so supporters should not bring oversized bags expecting them to be stored.
Flags and banners can be refused if they contain offensive content or fail safety requirements. Supporters should expect ticket checks, searches where required and enforcement of rules on pyrotechnics, pitch incursions, discriminatory behaviour and entering the wrong area. Safe-standing areas are managed under Sports Ground Safety Authority rules, and supporters in those areas must stay within their allocated space and follow steward instructions.
Derby County provide detailed accessibility information for away supporters. The club lists a Disability Access Officer and publishes away accessibility FAQs, maps and photo-guide material. Away accessible parking is available in the south-east corner, opposite the away coach park, roughly 100 yards from the turnstiles and accessible entrance, but it must be booked in advance through the visiting club and is subject to availability.
Pitchside wheelchair spaces are available in all four stands, with away wheelchair spaces in the away section. Personal assistant or essential companion seating is allocated next to wheelchair users. Derby also operate assistance arrangements such as accessible maps and, historically, buggy transfer support from car parks, although supporters should check the latest accessibility guidance before travelling.
Derby County offer official Pride Park Stadium tours. The club states that each tour lasts approximately one hour and gives supporters a behind-the-scenes look at the home of the Rams. Stadium tour routes are promoted as including areas such as the dressing rooms, tunnel, dugout area, Directors' Box, trophy cabinet, press room and hospitality areas, subject to availability and stadium operations.
Tours are date-led and should be booked through Derby County's official Pride Park Stadium Tours page. Because Pride Park is an active football and events venue, routes may change around match preparation, maintenance or private events.
A good central attraction with local history and Joseph Wright connections. It is useful for early arrivals before heading out to Pride Park.
A pleasant city-centre area for pubs, food and a wander before the match. It is better for visitors than staying in the business-park area all day.
Official Derby County ticketing page for match tickets, membership sales, hospitality, accessibility information and fixture-specific ticket updates.