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Men’s Football

Middlesbrough

Championship
Riverside Stadium
Capacity: 33,621
Riverside Stadium
Dockside Road
Middlesbrough
TS3 6RS

Disabled supporters contact

Club or stadium contact
 for disabled fans

Rosemary Berks
Disability Liaison Officer

01642 757660

General ticket office contact

Hazel Bone
Ticketing Operations Manager

01642 929421

Accessible ticket contact

Rosemary Berks
Disability Liaison Officer

01642 757660

Disabled supporters association

Chairman

Paddy Cronesberry MBE

07719 027 157

DSA is affiliated with the club.

Accessibility information

Number of wheelchair user spaces

Home

Actual:
221
Target:
-

Away

Actual:
70
Target:
-
There are 221 spaces for home wheelchair users at the Riverside Stadium, of which 91 are raised and 130 are pitch side.

The breakdown of these are as follows:

West Stand- raised accessible deck:

• 22 wheelchair spaces.

• Double lift to access them.

• Personal assistants situated directly in front the disabled supporters.

West Stand- front row:

• Potential of 62 wheelchair spaces (31 each side of the tunnel).

• These are worked at two standard seats per wheelchair and one seat, situated next to the wheelchair user, for each personal assistant.

East Stand- raised accessible deck (visiting supporters):

• Up to 10 wheelchair bays.

• Single lift to access them.

• Personal assistants are situated directly behind the disabled supporter.

East Stand- front row (visiting supporters):

• Potential of 20 wheelchair spaces, depending on the visiting allocation.

• These are worked at two standard seats per wheelchair and one seat, situated next to the wheelchair user, for each personal assistant.

East Stand- front row (visiting supporters):

• Potential of 50 wheelchair spaces, depending on the visiting allocation.

• These are worked at two standard seats per wheelchair and one seat, situated next to the wheelchair user, for each personal assistant.

South Stand- raised accessible deck wheelchair spaces:

• Double lift to access them.

• Personal Assistants are situated directly behind the disabled supporters.

South West Corner- raised accessible deck wheelchair spaces:

• Double lift to access them.

• Personal Assistants are situated directly behind the disabled supporters.

Number of easy access and amenity seats

Actual:
388
MFC have identified 388 amenity and easy access seats around the Riverside Stadium.

The location of these are as follows:

East Stand Lower (home):

• A potential of up to 150 amenity and east access seats, depending on the visiting allocations.

• These are situated on row 2.

East Stand Lower (away):

• A potential of up to 60 amenity and east access seats, depending on the visiting allocations.

• These are situated on row 2.

West Stand Lower (home):

• A potential of up to 178 amenity and east access seats.

• These are situated on row 2.

Number of accessible toilets

Actual:
19
There are 19 Accessible Toilets situated around the Riverside Stadium, including one Changing Places Facility (located in the Lower West Stand, towards the North Stand).

All accessible toilets are fitted with RADAR locks and keys.

MFC stewards are also on hand with RADAR keys, should you not have one.

Stewards are also there to offer assistance, should it be needed.

Changing places facility

Actual:
1
Target:
1
A Changing Places facility is located in the Lower West Stand, towards the North Stand.

Audio commentary

There is an audio commentary system for blind and partially sighted supporters available free of charge for all supporters to be booked through the Disability Liaison Officer and Ticket Office.

Sensory room

MFC has a matchday sensory room that provides a calming environment for supporters with any autism disorders, anxiety issues, any other sensory conditions to enable families to enjoy the game.

Ear defenders are also available should they be required.

The room is managed by fully-trained staff with a background in education and working with children with learning difficulties. Parents will also have the option to visit the room on a non-matchday if they wish to check its suitability.

Please contact Head of Supporter Services Yvonne Ferguson for further information: yvonne.ferguson@mfc.co.uk

Accessible services + information

Assistance dogs

MFC welcome assistance dogs in to the stadium, but please advise DAO or Ticket Office beforehand.

Hearing loops

Hearing Loops are widely available at the stadium: ticket office, retail store, main reception, satellite ticket offices, hospitality suites.

Club shop

Accessible parking is available directly in front of the store, the store has automatic wide doors for ease of access for wheelchair users.

The store has wide aisles and an easy layout to allow access we have an accessible changing room and a lowered till section to allow for wheelchair users.

The aisles are generally wide and there is large spaces between displays.

A hearing loop is also installed.

Assistance dogs are welcomed in-store.

Club hospitality

All hospitality suites are wheelchair accessible.

Braille and large print provision

None provided.

Accessible lounge

All hospitality suites are wheelchair accessible.

Food concession stands

Each kiosk has lowered counters to make it easier for wheelchair access.

For supporters sitting on the accessible decks, there is a food delivery service available.

Orders can be placed before the game and delivered direct to your seat at half-time.

Total number of parking spaces

Actual:
178
Target:
-
Matchday Parking at the Stadium is only available to permit holders.

There are six different car parks at the Riverside Stadium- Car Parks A through to F.

Overall there are 178 accessible car parking spaces, spread across all six car parks. 104 of these are full-width wheelchair accessible while the other 74 are standard size but close to the stadium.

The bays are marked out with blue lines and are individually numbered.

Both home and away fans are able to purchase permits (subject to availability) by calling the ticket office on 01642 929421.

Travel options

Middlesbrough have a drop off point.

This page was reviewed and updated by Level Playing Field staff and the club on 19 September 2023.

How we set targets

We use accepted industry standards to set the club targets. The reference documents include: Accessible Stadia Guide 2003 and Accessible Stadia Supplementary Guidance 2015; Building Regulations Approved Document M, Access to and Use of Buildings; BS 8300, Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people; Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide); Access for All, UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible Stadium and Matchday Experience

Have you got a question, complement or complaint?

Let us know about your matchday experience at Middlesbrough to help improve access and inclusion.

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Read comments from other fans

About this page

This information is provided by Middlesbrough. Level Playing Field (LPF) cannot be held responsible if the service and provision differs from what is stated here.

If you have any queries please contact us.

Updated September 2023

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Fan comments

Comments reflect the views of the fans themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPF.

  • Nikki Allan, who attended 26 Feb 2020 Middlesbrough V Leeds
    4 years ago

    Wheelchair Bay accessible by lift which kept breaking down. Foot access from other end hazardous for ambulant disabled. Headset commentary to preorder. Again commentator a prospective referee so very biased until proven by replay he was wrong!!
    Stewards very helpful. Parking available outside the turnstiles.

  • Sheffield United Disabled Supporters (SUDS), who attended V Sheffield United 12th August 2017
    6 years ago

    On arrival the coach was parked outside the disabled entrance. A steward told us which way to go which was around a long walk way but on the level. We arrived at a lift that only takes one wheelchair/carer at a time. Good but at half time a bit slow when everyone needs the toilet. The toilet at the bottom of the lift was very clean and had hot water etc. The area which is elevated is in general brilliant but dont go to the other end of it as if supporters stand you cannot see the other end of the pitch. There should have been a half time hostess service but this didnt happen also there were no stewards at all in or near to the disabled area although there should have been. Supporters stood in the aisle on the steps but the steward at the bottom watched the game rather than clear the steps which meant that most of us could not see the full pitch. At the end of the game when fighting broke out between rival fans on the adjacent stand we had to use the lift ourselves to leave the area. Not a good idea under health and safety rules. On leaving the ground the coaches were given a police escort which was good.

  • Anne Hyde, who attended Middlesbrough v Arsenal
    6 years ago

    It was extremely disappointing to hear from two of our visually impaired members of the Arsenal Disabled Supporters’ Association that there was no audio headsets available for the match on the 17th April 2017. Surely this should be available at all Premiership Matches.

  • J&J, who attended 12/09/2015
    8 years ago

    Our first visit as away fans to the Riverside Stadium travelling in a wheelchair accessible mini-bus that is part of our Club’s official away travel.

    Access to the Ground

    Well signed off the ring road from the motorway. You almost drive past it to come back to it. Entrance for the away fans is round the back from the main entrance. As part of the official away travel we were able to park right outside the doors we used to enter the stadium. Stadium has a very dramatic setting on the side of the River Tees. There appeared to be numerous food vendor vans around the stadium that we drove past.

    Facilities in the Ground for Away Wheelchair Fans

    Viewing Areas

    This season they have moved the location of the away fans from behind the goal to around the corner. Unfortunately, when we visited they were yet to complete the raised viewing area for away wheelchair users in this location, so we had to make do and sit at pitch level in front of the first row of seating. This meant when it rained, we got soaked. As our tickets cost £30, (for what I deemed inferior provision) I have requested a refund but am still waiting for a response 2-weeks on after rejecting their first offering of a Programme signed by the Middlesbrough players (fine perhaps if you are home fans but not something that is of interest to us).

    I have since seen that the new away wheelchair users’ viewing platform is open, so hopefully someone will soon be able to supply a review of this.

    Refreshments

    As we take our own we did not purchase any but there seemed to be the usual range available from counters underneath the back of the stand, which we passed when we entered the stadium. Not sure how easy they will be to get to from the new platform, presumably via a lift.

    Accessible Toilets

    Two large clean accessible toilets available at ground level. I am guessing that with the new raised platform the location of the accessible toilets for away wheelchair fans will change, so seems little point in giving much detail.

    Headset Commentaries for Visually Impaired Fans

    LPF’s website description states there are commentaries available at the Riverside. I emailed the Club 5-days before our visit, using the supporters@mfc.co.uk address given on their web page entitled “Disabled Supporters”. After 3 days when I had had no reply, I telephoned and was told they did not provide commentaries for visually impaired fans.

    Attitude of Club Officials

    The Club Officials we met were helpful and dealt with my complaint in a professional way on the day. They did email on the Monday following the match but appeared to have not followed through since then. My husband was not impressed that the ponchos we were offered, were in the Club’s colours with their badge emblazoned on it, perhaps not the most sought after rainwear for away fans!

    After the Match

    No more than the usual post-game congestion. Grateful that they let the away official transport have priority exiting the Stadium given our long journey home. As we were leaving I did notice close to the ground on the left, a small new retail park was being completed with a coffee shop, dining pub and I think what will be a supermarket.

    Will We go Again?

    Knowing that (unlike on our first visit) there is now provision for away wheelchair users, which will go someway to off-setting the high ticket price and encourage us to make a second visit when our team next play at Middlesbrough. I do wonder why one of the highest ticket prices in the league is at a Club in an area known for its average low incomes, I wonder how accessible this makes football to local disabled people?

  • Gary Deards, who attended v. Reading - 2008
    11 years ago

    view from elevated wheelchair platform – away fans (accessed via platform lift)

  • kevin denis hennessy, who attended Middlesbrough v Chelsea 20/07/2008
    11 years ago

    Sad to report that our trip to the Riverside was spoilt somewhat by a jobsworth stadium steward. My wife is disabled, and although she is not as seriously incapacitated as some is not able to walk for anything other than very short distances without experiencing painful discomfort. To this end, and after checking out the facilitiies for the Riverside on this site, we managed to be directed to the parking spaces outside the away end, and ensured that my wife’s blue badge was clearly displayed. Around about 20 minutes later, as the crowd started to build up, we were instructed to move to the car park approximately 500 yards away as the spaces were reserved for permit holders resulting in us having to leave the ground before the end of the match in order to avoid the bustling and jostling that is unavoidable at the end of a game. Sad to tell that the space we were forced to vacate, along with another 2 out of the 4 available remained empty throughout, this was by far the worse experience we have had in many years of following Chelsea all over England and Europe and one that could so easily have been avoided if the steward involved had any compassion for, or knowledge of, the type of problem encountered by those who are unfortunate enough to not be as able bodied as the majority of us. I doubt if we will ever return to the Riverside after yesterday’s experience.

  • A Gubbins, who attended Middlesbrough v Leicester City - 2nd April 2011
    11 years ago

    Middlesboro has a great viewing area for wheelchair users, when there is no one sitting in front of us. This may be different if the lower tier was used.

    Only one significant problem, the wheelchair person with carer, makes use of an open air lift; if this is not comfortable for the carer, then the Middlesborough steward will assist whilst the carer walks up the steps, adjacent to the lift.

    The lift is single use and so time consuming if there are several wheelchairs attending, especially at half time when accessing the toilet.

    The stewards, in the main, were excellent, helpful and accommodating. Middleborough still operates a Half time steward service, who will bring prior paid for food and drinks to the disabled area. This is very helpful given the single use lift access.

    When I queried why we were not offered pitch level spaces, the same as the Middlesborough wheelchair supporters, who were quite visibly sitting at pitch level, I was told by the chief steward for away fans, it would be too dangerous for us to sit at pitch level and they had made the decision due to health and safety reasons!

    Middlesbrough were also accommodating Ambulant Disabled Supporters. We were allocated tickets from ROW 29 onwards which wasn’t suitable for one of our members. This problem was resolved quickly with the assistance of Middlesbrough DLO Simon Macdonald, prior to travelling.