Southend United are based at Roots Hall and remain one of the National League's biggest clubs by support and history. The Shrimpers have spent long periods in the Football League, with memorable cup nights and promotions. Financial and ownership turbulence has tested the club, but its Essex support remains strong.
Roots Hall is one of the classic traditional grounds in the National League and has been Southend United's home since 1955. It sits on Victoria Avenue, close enough to Southend town centre to feel like a proper urban football ground, with residential streets, local pubs and matchday crowds all around the stadium.
The ground has four distinct stands. The West Stand is the largest side stand and contains much of the main home seating. The East Stand is the older main stand side, with a more traditional look. The South Stand is a two-tier home end, while the North Stand, also known as the North Bank, is the stand most commonly associated with away supporters and, more recently, shared or split arrangements.
Roots Hall is bigger than most National League grounds and still feels like a Football League venue, but it is also an ageing stadium with some older facilities and views that can vary by stand. For neutrals, side seating usually gives the best view. For home atmosphere, the more vocal sections are usually around the home end and the parts of the North Bank used by Southend supporters when available.
Essex’s main league rivalry, with Colchester and Southend carrying county pride from opposite sides of the same football landscape.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A Thames Estuary rivalry created by geography, repeated lower-league meetings and two fanbases used to fighting for similar status.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
Away supporters at Roots Hall are normally accommodated in the North Stand, also known as the North Bank. Southend's own visiting supporter information directs away fans to the official away guide, and accessibility information confirms away wheelchair spaces in the North Stand.
The North Stand has historically been the away end, although recent arrangements have allowed Southend supporters back into part of the North Bank for some fixtures. This means the stand can be split between home and away supporters, with segregation in place between the sections, or altered depending on the expected away following.
The away view is from behind the goal and is usually covered, but Roots Hall is an older ground and the facilities are not as modern as newer stadiums. Away fans should check the specific match guide for allocation size, entry details and whether the whole or part of the North Stand is being used.
Use the M25 to the A127 or A13, then follow signs into Southend and towards Roots Hall. summer traffic can make the A127 slow.
Use the Dartford Crossing and A13/A127, then head into Southend from the west. both the crossing and Essex approach can delay you.
Use local routes from Shoeburyness or east Southend, then come back through town towards Victoria Avenue. seafront roads can be slow in good weather.
Use the A127 eastbound from Basildon/Romford or the A13, then aim for Southend town centre and Roots Hall. parking near the stadium is residential and limited.
Prittlewell is the closest station to Roots Hall and is usually the best option if your route fits the Greater Anglia line into Southend Victoria. Supporters from London generally travel from Liverpool Street towards Southend Victoria and get off at Prittlewell.
It is much closer to the ground than Southend Central.
Leave Prittlewell station and head towards Victoria Avenue and Roots Hall. The stadium is only a short distance away, so this is the simplest walking option.
The walk is around 5 to 10 minutes. Follow the main roads and matchday crowd, using crossings around the busy approaches.
London City is a sensible airport for Southend United because it keeps you on the east side of London. Use DLR/Underground or rail links to connect towards the Greater Anglia line for Prittlewell or Southend Victoria.
It avoids a long cross-London haul from Heathrow. From Prittlewell, Roots Hall is very close.
Stansted is another good option for Southend, especially for European routes. Travel towards London Liverpool Street, then take Greater Anglia services towards Prittlewell or Southend Victoria.
The journey is longer than it looks on a map, but it is a viable airport with strong flight choice.
Arriva routes 7 and 8 are useful local Southend services if you are travelling from the seafront, town centre or nearby suburbs rather than arriving at Prittlewell. Roots Hall is close enough to walk from Prittlewell, so buses are mostly for wider local movement.
Check live times and stops before travelling, especially on summer weekends.
First Essex route 25 is useful in the Southend area and can help if your journey starts away from the Victoria/Prittlewell side of town. Use it to get towards Southend town centre before finishing locally.
For most rail arrivals, Prittlewell is still the cleanest option.
AC Radio Cabs are a local Southend taxi option for trips from Southend Airport, seafront hotels, Southend Victoria or Southend Central to Roots Hall.
The ground is close to Prittlewell, but a taxi is useful if you are staying by the seafront.
Andrews Taxis cover Southend and the surrounding area, useful for airport, hotel and station transfers to Roots Hall.
Pre-booking is sensible after evening games or during busy seaside weekends.
Southend Victoria parking is useful for Roots Hall because the ground is close to Prittlewell/Victoria side of town. It gives a clear town-centre landmark and avoids trying to park in the residential roads right by the stadium.
Expect normal station or town-centre parking charges. It is a sensible option if you want to use pubs or food in the centre first.
Car parks around the Civic Centre and Victoria Avenue side are useful for Roots Hall. They are closer to the stadium than seafront parking and generally easier than street hunting around the ground.
Check local tariffs and event restrictions before leaving the car. Summer seaside traffic can still make Southend slow, so arrive early.
A pub close to Southend Central and the town-centre route, useful for early arrivals before heading to Roots Hall.
A large Wetherspoons in Southend, useful as a predictable meeting point before walking or taking a short taxi to Roots Hall.
A popular Greek restaurant in Southend, good for a sit-down meal before an evening fixture.
A long-running Southend ice-cream and food spot near the seafront, useful if you are making a day of it by the coast.
A seafront hotel close to the pier and town centre, useful for a weekend stay with Roots Hall a taxi or walk away.
Roots Hall is a good ground for supporters who like a traditional town football day. Southend Victoria railway station is the closest rail option, and Southend Central is also walkable with a longer route through town. The ground is not difficult to find, but the surrounding roads can get busy close to kick-off.
Parking near the stadium is limited and mostly based around local streets and town-centre car parks. Supporters should check restrictions carefully, especially in residential areas close to Victoria Avenue. Arriving early is advised for bigger fixtures.
For neutrals, the side stands are the best choice for view and comfort. Away supporters should head for the North Stand away entry as advised on the match guide and should check whether tickets are advance only, whether the allocation is split, and what food or bar facilities are available inside the away section.
Southend United tickets are usually available online, by phone or in person through the Blues Box Office. Home match prices and availability are published through the official ticketing channels before each fixture.
Away tickets are normally sold according to the specific match arrangements, either through the visiting club or through Southend's away ticketing information. Away supporters should check their own club first and should not buy in home areas for segregated fixtures.
For home or neutral supporters, side-on seating in the West or East Stand usually gives the best view. The South Stand and home North Bank areas are better for supporters wanting atmosphere. Away supporters will usually be in the North Stand, but should check whether the stand is fully away or split for that fixture.
Roots Hall operates standard football ground regulations, with ticket checks, stewarding and possible searches. Supporters should enter through the correct turnstiles and remain in their allocated stand when segregation is in operation.
Flares, smoke devices, fireworks, alcohol brought into the ground, glass bottles, weapons and other dangerous items are not permitted. Supporters should not enter the pitch, throw objects, block gangways or use discriminatory or threatening language.
Large flags, banners, drums or musical instruments should be approved by the club in advance. Because Roots Hall is an older ground with tighter concourses in places, supporters should follow steward instructions around queues, exits and stand access.
Southend United provide wheelchair spaces for both home and away supporters. Level Playing Field information lists up to 20 wheelchair places for home supporters and six for away supporters, with away wheelchair spaces situated in the North Stand.
Supporters using wheelchair spaces are charged the relevant concessionary disabled price for adult or senior tickets, while other age bands pay the age-related price, with a free carer available if required. Supporters should arrange these tickets in advance through the club or their own ticket office.
Roots Hall is an older stadium, so accessibility can vary by stand and route. Disabled supporters, especially away fans, should contact the club before travelling to confirm the correct entrance, viewing position, companion ticket and any parking or drop-off advice.
There does not appear to be a regular public stadium tour programme at Roots Hall. Southend United publish visitor, ticketing and stadium information, but routine bookable tours are not clearly advertised.
Because Roots Hall is an historic and much-loved ground, occasional special access or community visits may be possible by arrangement, but supporters should contact Southend United directly. For most visitors, the realistic way to experience Roots Hall is on a matchday.
The classic Southend attraction and an obvious stop if you are making a seaside day of the fixture.
Official club website. Use this for the latest club news, fixture information, tickets, supporter notices and matchday updates.