Port Vale are based at Vale Park in Burslem and are one of the traditional football clubs of the Potteries. The Valiants have a strong local following and a long Football League history, with rivalries across Staffordshire and the wider Midlands. Vale Park remains one of the larger grounds in the lower divisions.
Vale Park is one of the larger and more traditional grounds in League Two. It sits in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, and has a scale that reflects Port Vale’s long Football League history. The ground is not a modern bowl, but a large, open, four-sided stadium with a strong old-school feel.
The Lorne Street Stand is the main stand and contains key facilities, hospitality and modernised areas. The Railway Stand and Railway Paddock run along the opposite side and are strongly associated with regular home support. The Hamil Road Stand has become a home area in recent seasons, while the Bycars Stand is now the away end.
Vale Park can feel big for this level, with broad stands, deep banks of seating and a more open feel than many compact lower-league grounds. When crowds are strong, the size of the stadium gives it a proper Football League atmosphere, although the openness can make it feel exposed in poor weather.
Stoke-on-Trent’s defining football split, with the city’s pottery heritage providing the backdrop to one of the Midlands’ most tribal local fixtures.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A Midlands rivalry with a Staffordshire edge, especially meaningful in lower-league seasons when Vale and Walsall meet frequently.
A regional derby that grew as Burton climbed the pyramid and began meeting longer-established Staffordshire neighbours.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A railway-town-versus-Potteries rivalry along the A500 corridor, often important in lower-league Staffordshire and Cheshire football.
Away supporters are now housed in the Bycars Stand. Port Vale’s first-visit information confirms that travelling supporters were moved from the Hamil Road Stand and that away fans now use the Bycars Stand, while the Hamil Road Stand and Hamil Road car park are for home supporters only.
Away parking is now situated at Dimensions Leisure Centre, postcode ST6 4ET, for cars, minibuses and coaches. Parking can be pre-booked, and visiting supporters should not travel assuming they can park at the Hamil Road end as previous arrangements have changed.
The Bycars Stand is a large seated end behind one goal. It gives a traditional away-end experience and can hold a strong following, but supporters should check fixture-specific information from their own club for allocation size, ticket collections and access arrangements.
Use M6 southbound Junction 16 then A500, then follow signs for Vale Park and the Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent area. Vale Park is in residential Burslem, so use official or recognised parking and avoid street hunting. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use M6 northbound Junction 15/16 then A500, then follow signs for Vale Park and the Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent area. Vale Park is in residential Burslem, so use official or recognised parking and avoid street hunting. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use A50/A500 corridor into Stoke, then follow signs for Vale Park and the Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent area. Vale Park is in residential Burslem, so use official or recognised parking and avoid street hunting. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Use A500 or M6 approaches, then follow signs for Vale Park and the Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent area. Vale Park is in residential Burslem, so use official or recognised parking and avoid street hunting. Allow extra time for the final local roads around kick-off and check current matchday traffic or parking instructions before setting off.
Longport is the closest rail station to Vale Park and is useful on local services between Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe/Manchester-side connections. It is not a major station, so check stopping patterns carefully, but it gives the shortest rail walk.
Stoke-on-Trent is the main rail station for long-distance supporters, with services from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby, Crewe and the West Coast/Midlands network. It is not close to Vale Park, so use a taxi, bus or local train connection.
Leave Longport station and head towards Burslem and Hamil Road / Vale Park. The walk usually takes around 25 to 30 minutes. It is a residential/local road route, so use a map and allow extra time if you have not been before.
Do not normally walk from Stoke-on-Trent station to Vale Park; it is around four miles. Use a taxi or bus to Burslem, or change for a local train to Longport if the timetable works.
Manchester Airport is usually the best airport for Port Vale. Take the train towards Stoke-on-Trent, generally via Manchester Piccadilly, then use a taxi from Stoke station to Burslem and Vale Park.
The ground is not close to Stoke station, so the taxi leg is part of the journey rather than an optional extra if time is tight. For evening games, check the return trains back towards Manchester before travelling.
Birmingham Airport is also viable for Port Vale, especially for supporters flying into the Midlands. From Birmingham International, head into Birmingham New Street and then take a train towards Stoke-on-Trent.
This can be just as sensible as Manchester depending on flight times. Once at Stoke station, take a taxi to Vale Park rather than trying to piece together the final section if you are short on time.
First Potteries services from Stoke-on-Trent and Hanley towards Burslem are the main public transport option for Vale Park. The ground is not close to Stoke station, so bus or taxi is needed for most away supporters.
A common plan is to get into Stoke station, head towards Hanley or Burslem by bus, then walk the final section to the ground. Check times carefully for evening fixtures.
A taxi from Stoke-on-Trent station to Vale Park is often the simplest option for away fans. The ground is in Burslem, so it is not a quick station walk.
For groups, the taxi fare can be good value and removes the need to work out the local bus network. After the match, arrange a pick-up away from the tight streets around the stadium if possible.
Autocab are a Stoke-on-Trent private-hire operator and are useful for trips from Stoke station, Hanley or local hotels to Vale Park. The ground is in Burslem and is not a simple station walk.
A taxi is often the best option for away supporters arriving by rail. Pre-book a return if you need to make a train after an evening match.
City Cabs are another Stoke-on-Trent taxi option for journeys to Vale Park. They are useful if you are staying in Hanley, Stoke town centre or nearby Potteries towns.
Ask for a practical drop-off near Burslem and allow time for matchday traffic around the ground.
Vale Park has some matchday parking around the stadium, but availability can vary and surrounding streets are busy. Approach Burslem early and follow official signage or steward instructions.
Expect a small matchday charge where spaces are offered. It is convenient, but traffic around Burslem can be slow after the game.
Burslem town-centre parking is a useful option for Port Vale. Park legally in the centre and walk to Vale Park, which is usually easier than trying to squeeze into the closest residential streets.
Prices are normal local tariffs and often modest. Check restrictions and avoid blocking residential access near the ground.
A well-known Titanic Brewery pub in Burslem and one of the better stops near Vale Park. It is popular with real ale drinkers and is a sensible pre-match base.
A local curry option in Burslem, useful if you want a proper meal near Vale Park rather than heading back into Stoke or Hanley.
A central Stoke-on-Trent hotel useful for supporters staying over. Vale Park is in Burslem, so use a taxi or local bus for the match.
Vale Park is in Burslem, north of Stoke-on-Trent city centre, so supporters should plan the final part of the journey carefully. Stoke-on-Trent railway station is not within a short walk of the ground, so most rail travellers will need a bus, taxi or onward connection.
Drivers should note the changed away parking arrangements. Away supporters are directed to Dimensions Leisure Centre for cars, minibuses and coaches, and parking can be pre-booked. The Hamil Road car park is now for home supporters only, so older away-day advice may be out of date.
For neutral supporters, the Lorne Street Stand generally offers the best facilities and main-stand view. The Railway Stand and Paddock are traditional home areas, while the Hamil Road Stand is now used by home supporters. Away fans should head for the Bycars Stand and should leave extra time if parking at Dimensions before walking to the ground.
Port Vale home tickets can be purchased through the club shop, online through the club’s ticketing system, by phone or by contacting the ticket office. Advance purchase is recommended, particularly for higher-profile fixtures.
Away supporters should buy through their own club once Port Vale issues the Bycars Stand allocation. Visiting fans should check their club’s ticket information for pricing, collection points, coach travel, disabled ticket arrangements and whether matchday sales are available.
For home neutrals, the Lorne Street Stand is usually the best choice for comfort and facilities. Supporters wanting a more traditional home feel may prefer the Railway Stand or Railway Paddock, while away supporters should use the Bycars Stand allocation and be aware that historic Hamil Road away-end guidance is no longer current.
Standard EFL ground regulations apply at Vale Park. Supporters should expect checks around bags, alcohol, pyrotechnics, discriminatory behaviour, offensive chanting and entering the field of play.
Port Vale’s first-time supporter guidance notes that Vale Park is an all-seater stadium and that lists of prohibited items are displayed by turnstiles. Supporters are advised to contact the club in advance if they wish to bring large flags, pushchairs or have specific accessibility issues.
Away supporters should follow the current Bycars Stand and Dimensions Leisure Centre parking arrangements rather than older Hamil Road advice. Steward instructions should be followed around entrances, car parks and segregation routes.
Port Vale provide accessibility information for Vale Park, including accessible facilities and guidance for disabled supporters. The club’s supporter guide notes accessible-format information, accessible counters and arrangements for supporters with limited mobility.
The accessibility stand is situated in the corner of the Lorne Street Stand and the Bycars Stand area, with access arrangements sometimes using Car Park D depending on the fixture. Supporters should check current matchday information because access routes can change for larger games.
Away disabled supporters should contact their own club or Port Vale in advance to confirm wheelchair spaces, personal assistant tickets, parking, accessible toilets and the correct entry point. Because away supporters now use the Bycars Stand and away parking is at Dimensions Leisure Centre, advance planning is important.
Port Vale have previously promoted a 360-degree virtual tour of Vale Park, allowing supporters to view areas of the stadium online. There is evidence of occasional tour-style access around special club events, but there does not appear to be a regular public in-person stadium tour programme operating every week.
Supporters interested in behind-the-scenes access should check directly with Port Vale for any current open days, hospitality packages or special events rather than assuming a standard bookable stadium tour is available.
A strong local attraction tied to Stoke-on-Trent's pottery heritage. It is close enough to Burslem to combine with a Vale Park visit if you have time.
Official club website. Use this for the latest club news, fixture information, tickets, supporter notices and matchday updates.