Sholing are based at the Imperial Homes Stadium and are one of Southampton’s leading non-league clubs. The Boatmen won the FA Vase in 2014 and have built a strong local reputation through steady progress, community backing and competitive Southern League campaigns.
The Imperial Homes Stadium is Sholing's home at Portsmouth Road, Southampton, and has developed significantly as the club has established itself higher up the non-league pyramid. It is a compact community football ground with a practical enclosed layout rather than an old town-centre terrace ground.
The spectator areas are close to the pitch, with clubhouse facilities, covered standing, seating and hard-standing forming the core of the matchday experience. The ground has continued to see improvements, including work around spectator accommodation and car parking, but it still feels like a grassroots football venue with a strong local-club identity. It is straightforward once inside, but the approach road and parking arrangements need attention because the club gives specific guidance for cars and coaches.
Segregation is not normally expected for most Sholing league fixtures, so away supporters should usually enter through the normal spectator access and choose their own viewing position around the ground. For larger fixtures, cup ties or matches with a higher expected attendance, arrangements can change and visiting supporters should check match-specific information before travelling.
When the ground is unsegregated, away supporters can normally use the same general clubhouse, food and toilet facilities as home supporters. A travelling group wanting atmosphere will usually settle behind a goal or along one of the covered or busier sides. If segregation is introduced for a particular game, follow the stewarding and club instructions rather than assuming the usual open layout applies.
Use the M27 to the east Southampton junctions, then follow signs for Sholing and Portsmouth Road. The ground is in a residential suburb, so plan parking.
Come north from Woolston/Netley or Southampton Water side, then follow Sholing signs. Avoid the waterfront roads unless they are part of your route.
Use the M27 westbound from Portsmouth/Fareham and leave for east Southampton. This is cleaner than driving through Southampton centre.
Use the M27 eastbound from Southampton/New Forest, then head for Sholing. Local roads can be tight near the ground.
Sholing is the station to use for Sholing. local services between Southampton and Portsmouth make this the correct station, with connections at Southampton Central, Fareham and Portsmouth.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Sholing station and head towards the Imperial Homes Stadium. The route is a short suburban walk towards Portsmouth Road and the ground.
Allow around 10 to 15 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
Southampton Airport works well for Hampshire, Portsmouth, Gosport and some Dorset fixtures because Southampton Airport Parkway station is next to the terminal.
For Sholing, this airport makes most sense because Southampton Airport is close and rail-linked. From the airport, aim for Sholing. Use Southampton Airport Parkway and rail via Southampton Central towards Sholing, or take a taxi direct across the east side of the city. This is a very practical local airport route.
Bournemouth Airport is only useful where the flight choice fits, but it can be a handy local airport for Poole, Wimborne and the Dorset coast. Public transport is more limited than the larger airports, so a taxi is often part of the journey.
For Sholing, this airport makes most sense because Bournemouth is viable but less direct by public transport. From the airport, aim for Southampton or Sholing. Use bus/taxi into Bournemouth, then rail to Southampton/Sholing. It is a backup option where flight timings suit.
Bluestar 13 is one of the specific routes to check for Sholing station and Portsmouth Road. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
First Solent X4 / X5 is one of the specific routes to check for Sholing station and Portsmouth Road. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
Radio Taxis Southampton is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Sholing station and Portsmouth Road. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
West Quay Cars is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Sholing station and Portsmouth Road. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
Sholing's ground has matchday parking around the site, but space can be limited and the surrounding area is residential. Follow club signs and stewards.
Expect free or low-cost parking where available. Arrive early for bigger fixtures or local games.
Sholing station area parking can work as a fallback with a short walk to the ground. Use only legal spaces and check local restrictions carefully.
There may be no charge where street parking is permitted, but station/local restrictions can apply. Read signs before leaving the car.
The Obelisk is a named pub option for Sholing and Southampton, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It is a sensible choice for early arrivals who want a town or village pub before moving on to the ground.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
The Spike Islander is a named pub option for Sholing and Southampton, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It gives a second named pub option if the first choice is too busy or if you are arriving from a different side of town.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
The Bridge Tavern Woolston is a named food option around Sholing and Southampton, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It works best for supporters arriving with enough time for a proper meal rather than a rushed stop.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Bacaro Southampton is a named food option around Sholing and Southampton, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It gives another named alternative, useful for groups who want a different style of food before or after the match.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 J7 is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Sholing and Southampton. It is included because it is a realistic base for the town or nearby transport corridor rather than a random hotel miles away.
Compare rates before booking because small towns can have limited rooms, while tourist places and larger cities can jump in price around events.
Parking at Sholing is organised but should still be planned. The club states that hard-standing parking is available for around 100 cars at £3 per game, with free grass parking available to the left of the main entrance. Coaches should not enter the car park because there is no turning area and the access road is restricted to a single lane for cars only.
Clubs travelling by coach are asked to use the lay-by directly opposite the ground entrance. For individual supporters, arrive early if you want hard-standing parking or if the match is likely to be busy. Inside the ground, seating and covered areas are limited compared with the full crowd capacity, so pick your spot early in poor weather.
Sholing use official match information and ticketing channels for home fixtures, with online ticketing used for some games and pay-on-the-gate likely for many routine league fixtures. Supporters should check the latest fixture page before travelling because arrangements can change for cup games, larger crowds or fixtures where segregation is considered.
Away supporters will usually buy standard general admission unless the club announces specific away arrangements. Neutral visitors wanting a comfortable view should arrive early for the seated or covered areas. Those wanting atmosphere should head for the busier standing areas, usually around the ends or the more populated side of the ground.
Standard football ground rules apply at the Imperial Homes Stadium. Supporters should not enter the pitch, use pyrotechnics, throw objects, bring glass into spectator areas or ignore steward instructions. If segregation is introduced, supporters must use the correct area and comply with stewarding.
The club's car-park rules should be followed closely. Coaches must not enter the car park, cars should use the correct parking areas, and all supporters should avoid blocking the narrow access road, the lay-by opposite the ground or emergency access routes.
Sholing's facilities are practical for Step 3 football, but disabled supporters should contact the club before travelling if they need accessible parking, step-free entry, toilet information or a suitable viewing position. The car park layout and single-lane access make advance planning important, especially for fixtures where the ground is expected to be busy.
Supporters with mobility needs should arrive early and confirm the most suitable entrance and viewing area in advance, particularly if they require hard-standing parking close to the ground.
Regular public stadium tours are not advertised for the Imperial Homes Stadium. It is a working non-league and community football venue rather than a stadium-tour attraction.
Supporters wanting to see the ground should attend a Sholing fixture. Any special access outside matchdays would need to be arranged directly with the club.
Solent Sky Museum is a worthwhile extra stop around Sholing and Southampton if you are making more of the day than just the match. It is one of the more obvious local attractions or landmarks to build into an away day.
Check opening times before travelling, particularly for winter midweek fixtures or attractions with seasonal hours.
Official club website. Use this for club news, fixtures, ticket information, supporter notices and the latest matchday updates.