06/03/2016
Elland Road, the iconic home of Leeds United Football Club, is a cornerstone of the city's sporting heritage. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a first-time visitor, understanding how to get there and, crucially, how to secure your ticket is paramount to a smooth and enjoyable matchday. This guide delves into the practicalities of reaching the stadium and provides an in-depth look at the ticketing process, with a particular emphasis on ensuring accessibility for all supporters, including those with disabilities.
Getting to Elland Road: Your Travel Options
Elland Road is located in the Beeston area of Leeds, approximately two miles west of the city centre. Fortunately, there are several convenient ways to reach the stadium:
- By Car: For those travelling by car, Elland Road is easily accessible from the M621 motorway. Exit at Junction 2 and follow the signs for the stadium. Ample parking is available, though it is often in high demand on matchdays, so arriving early is recommended. It's advisable to check the club's official website for specific parking information and potential road closures on match days.
- By Public Transport: Leeds has an excellent public transport network. Many bus routes serve the area around Elland Road. Services from Leeds city centre, such as those operating from the main bus station, frequently stop near the stadium. It's worth checking local bus timetables for the most up-to-date routes and frequencies.
- By Train: The nearest major train station is Leeds Station. From Leeds Station, you can take a bus or a taxi directly to Elland Road. The journey is relatively short, making it a viable option for those travelling from further afield.
- By Taxi/Ride-Sharing: Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Leeds and can drop you off close to the stadium. Ensure you book in advance or allow extra time on matchdays due to increased demand.
Understanding Ticket Purchases: A Step-by-Step Approach
Securing a ticket for a Leeds United match requires understanding the club's ticketing structure and priority windows. The club operates a membership scheme, the 'My Leeds Membership', which offers priority access to tickets.
Home Games: From Membership to Matchday
Tickets for home games typically go on sale to 'My Leeds Members' approximately three weeks before each game. To purchase a ticket, you must be a current 'My Leeds Member'. Each member can apply for one ticket per game. Tickets are available for purchase online via the official Leeds United ticketing website or through the accessible ticket line. Be aware that all tickets are subject to booking fees.
For the 2025/26 season and beyond, the club is transitioning to mobile tickets. These will be sent to your smartphone via email from the club, offering a secure, convenient, and sustainable way to receive your match ticket, reducing paper and plastic usage. There will be no 'Print at Home' option available.
The Online Ballot System
For members who are unsuccessful in the initial phases of ticket sales, an online ballot system is in place. You can apply for the ballot to be seated with friends or family by registering all individuals in a single application. Each member can only register once for the ballot, with a maximum of ten members per application. To include friends and family, they must be linked to your account via the 'My Friends & Family' option on your online ticketing account. It is crucial to select the correct age band for each applicant.
The lead applicant will need to provide credit/debit card details when submitting a ballot application. Payment is not processed at the time of registration. When registering for the ballot, you can specify 'General Seating', 'Family Area seating', or opt for a specific ballot for disabled supporters. Successful applicants will have their payment automatically processed, and the lead applicant will receive a confirmation email with their mobile tickets. Unsuccessful applicants will not receive an email. You can also check your ballot status via the 'My Account' option on the online ticketing account. Ballots are conducted on a game-by-game basis.
Purchasing Channels:
Tickets can be booked through the following methods:
- Online: tickets.leedsunited.com
- By Phone: 0371 334 1992
- Accessible Ticket Booking Line (Disabled Supporters Only): 0333 130 0505
When applying online, ticket availability is dependent on your membership level.
Hospitality Packages:
For a premium matchday experience, hospitality packages are available. These can be booked via:
- Online: tickets.leedsunited.com
- By Phone: 0871 334 1919 option 3 (calls charged at 9p per minute plus network extras)
When booking hospitality online, it is necessary to email or call to discuss specific access requirements.
Enquiries:
For any general ticketing enquiries, you can contact the Ticket Office Customer Service line on 0330 333 1521.
Away Fixtures: A Limited Allocation
For away fixtures, the club receives a limited number of tickets for disabled fans, including wheelchair bays and ambulant supporters. These tickets are typically available for purchase online to current Season Ticket Holders and Members, strictly on a one-ticket-per-person basis. Disabled supporters can purchase tickets under the same priority conditions as non-disabled supporters, with priority given to Season Ticket Holders and those who qualify via the away tracker system. Details of ticket priority windows for each home and away game are published separately.
Disabled supporters interested in away tickets or seeking more information on the club's away ticket allocation should contact Nicola Connolly or the Ticket Office. It is essential to secure a ticket before making travel arrangements for an away fixture. Disabled supporters also have the option to travel on the club's official supporters' coaches, including adapted coaches for disabled individuals, subject to availability.
My Leeds Membership: Benefits and Tiers
The 'My Leeds Membership' scheme continues for the 2025/26 season, offering various benefits at different price points. The tiers are:
- My Leeds+: £75 for Adults, £50 for Juniors
- My Leeds: £50 for Adults, £30 for Juniors
Key benefits include:
- Priority to purchase home and away tickets
- Access to the Leeds United Ticket Exchange
- Exclusive Digital Membership Pass and gift pack
- Exclusive online early access to retail launches (My Leeds+ Members only)
- 5% off your first purchase at the Leeds United club shop (My Leeds+ Members only)
- Discounted stadium tours
- Exclusive Leeds United retail offers and events
- Exclusive offers from Official Leeds United Partners
- Chance to be a Mascot (Junior Members, ages 5-12, entered into a draw)
- LUFC Official E-Christmas Card (Junior Members)
- Invitation to the Junior Members Christmas Party
Full details of membership benefits and terms and conditions can be found on the club's official website. It's important to note that membership does not guarantee a ticket; all tickets are subject to availability.
Accessibility for Disabled Supporters: Ensuring an Inclusive Experience
Leeds United is committed to providing an inclusive matchday experience for all supporters, with specific provisions for disabled individuals. The definition of a disabled person, as per the Equality Act 2010, is someone with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Proof of Eligibility:
To ensure fair allocation of seating and to consider the specific circumstances of disabled supporters, the club requires proof of eligibility. Accepted documents include:
- Confirmation of entitlement to the care and/or mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Confirmation of entitlement to the daily living and/or mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The submitted copy must be up-to-date at the time of application. For supporters requiring a personal assistant at no extra cost, they must be in receipt of the medium or higher rate of DLA or the enhanced rate of PIP.
A concession price is available for disabled supporters, irrespective of their DLA or PIP level. The club reserves the right to periodically check eligibility for DLA or PIP, as these allowances can be for life or a fixed period.
Personal Support: The Role of a Personal Assistant (PA)
Where the need for personal support has been identified, the club will admit a disabled supporter's personal assistant free of charge. This is provided that the PA offers a service to enable the disabled supporter to access matchday facilities. The expectations for a PA include:
- Entering and exiting the stadium with the disabled supporter. Both must enter at the same time.
- Sitting with the disabled supporter in the designated seat.
- Assisting the disabled supporter to ensure they are comfortable.
- Accompanying the disabled supporter to accessible toilets if needed.
- Providing non-emergency medical care and support (e.g., administering medication).
- Assisting with food, drink, and retail purchases.
- Aiding in evacuation or other emergencies, beyond the standard assistance from stewards.
- Communicating effectively with stewards and stadium staff when required.
Complimentary tickets for PAs are issued solely for the purpose of assisting the disabled supporter and are only valid when the disabled supporter is present. If a registered PA cannot attend, the disabled supporter can nominate another person. It's important to note that a PA season ticket does not grant the same benefits as a regular season ticket holder, such as building history, attending away matches independently, or accessing reward programmes.
Specific Ballot for Disabled Supporters:
When registering for the ballot, there is a specific option for disabled supporters. This ensures that their needs are considered within the allocation process.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: How do I prove my disability for ticket purposes?
A1: You need to provide confirmation of entitlement to the care/mobility component of DLA or the daily living/mobility component of PIP. The document must be current at the time of application.
Q2: Can I bring a personal assistant for free?
A2: Yes, if you are in receipt of the medium or higher rate of DLA or the enhanced rate of PIP, your personal assistant can be admitted free of charge, provided they are there to assist you.
Q3: How do I buy tickets for home games?
A3: Tickets go on sale to My Leeds Members approximately three weeks before the game. You can buy online or by calling the accessible ticket line if applicable.
Q4: What if I'm not a member? Can I still get a ticket?
A4: Membership offers priority. If you are not a member, you may be able to purchase tickets if they are released for general sale, but availability is not guaranteed.
Q5: Are there any concessions for disabled supporters?
A5: Yes, a concession price is available for disabled supporters regardless of their DLA or PIP level.
Navigating the ticketing process and understanding accessibility at Elland Road is key to a memorable matchday. By familiarising yourself with these guidelines, you can ensure a smoother journey to the stadium and a more enjoyable experience as a supporter of Leeds United.
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