The Ultimate Guide to Hull City Away Days — Every Championship Ground Reviewed
The Championship away day is one of the great experiences in English football. Forty six games, twenty three away trips, and a season's worth of stories to tell. This guide reviews every Championship ground from a Hull City fan's perspective, covering travel, pubs, atmosphere, parking, and everything else you need to know before making the trip.
The Easy Ones — Under Two Hours from Hull
Elland Road — Leeds United
Distance from Hull: About 60 miles, roughly 1 hour by car or train.
The big one. Elland Road is the closest Premier League calibre ground to Hull and the atmosphere is always intense. The away section is in the upper tier of the John Charles Stand with a decent view but steep steps. Leeds fans are hostile which somehow makes the day more enjoyable. The city centre is excellent for pre match food and drink. Avoid the streets immediately around the ground unless you enjoy unsolicited opinions about your team.
Getting there by train is straightforward. Hull to Leeds is about an hour with frequent services. From Leeds station, it's about a twenty five minute walk to the ground or a short bus ride. Recommended for anyone who wants to drink.
Pubs: The Old Peacock is the closest to the ground and gets very busy. For a quieter pint, head to the city centre and walk to the ground.
Bramall Lane — Sheffield United
Distance from Hull: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
A proper old school football ground with genuine character. The away section in the Bramall Lane end is a decent size and the view is good. Sheffield is an excellent city for a day out with a brilliant food scene and plenty of good pubs. The tram from the station gets you close to the ground.
Worth combining with a visit to Sheffield's Kelham Island brewery quarter if you've got time before kick off.
Hillsborough — Sheffield Wednesday
Distance from Hull: About 70 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hillsborough is a magnificent stadium that still impresses despite its age. The away end is large and generates good noise when full. Getting there from Hull is essentially the same journey as Bramall Lane. Wednesday fans create an impressive atmosphere which makes for a better day out even if the result doesn't go your way.
Riverside Stadium — Middlesbrough
Distance from Hull: About 90 miles, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
An underrated away day. The Riverside is a decent modern ground with good facilities and a nice position near the River Tees. The away section is comfortable with a good view. Middlesbrough town centre has some decent pubs and a Wetherspoons practically next to the stadium. The Transporter Bridge is worth a look if you arrive early. Easy drive up the A19.
The Medium Ones — Two to Three Hours
Stadium of Light — Sunderland
Distance from Hull: About 120 miles, roughly 2 hours.
A big day out. The Stadium of Light is enormous and even a below par crowd creates noise. The away end is high up but the view is excellent. Sunderland as a city has improved significantly in recent years with some good pubs near the ground and in the city centre. The drive up the A19 is straightforward.
This is one of the better away days in the Championship purely because of the scale. Walking into a 48,000 capacity stadium for a league game feels special regardless of the result.
The City Ground — Nottingham Forest
Distance from Hull: About 100 miles, roughly 2 hours.
Sat right on the banks of the River Trent, the City Ground is one of the most atmospheric grounds in the league. The location is beautiful and the walk along the river from the city centre is excellent. Nottingham itself is a great city for food and drink. The Trent Bridge Inn near the ground is a popular away fan pub.
Burnley — Turf Moor
Distance from Hull: About 100 miles, roughly 2 hours via the M62.
Turf Moor is proper old school. Tight, compact, and occasionally intimidating. The away section is small and exposed to the elements. Burnley as a town doesn't offer much beyond the football but the ground itself has real character. The chip shop near the cricket ground is decent. Dress warm because the wind at Turf Moor is brutal.
bet365 Stadium — Stoke City
Distance from Hull: About 120 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes.
A modern stadium that somehow manages to feel windswept and cold regardless of the weather. The away section has a good view and decent leg room. Stoke is not the most exciting destination but there's a retail park near the ground with food options. The drive via the M62 and M6 is straightforward but can be slow around Manchester.
Tuesday night trips to Stoke are the quintessential Championship experience. Freezing, bleak, and oddly magnificent.
Coventry Building Society Arena — Coventry City
Distance from Hull: About 130 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes.
A big modern stadium that can feel empty when Coventry aren't drawing well but impressive when full. The away end is a decent size. The retail park location means food options are plentiful but soulless. Coventry city centre is worth a visit for the cathedral if you arrive early.
Loftus Road — Queens Park Rangers
Distance from Hull: About 180 miles, roughly 3 hours by car, 3 hours by train.
Loftus Road is tiny, cramped, and brilliant. The away section is squeezed into a corner with minimal legroom and terrible facilities. It shouldn't work but it does. The atmosphere in a small ground is always better than in a half empty big one. Getting across London on a Saturday is a nightmare by car so the train is recommended. Shepherd's Bush has plenty of food and pub options.
The Long Ones — Three Hours Plus
Ashton Gate — Bristol City
Distance from Hull: About 200 miles, roughly 3 hours 30 minutes.
A properly good away day if you make a weekend of it. Ashton Gate has been extensively redeveloped and is now a modern, impressive ground. Bristol is an excellent city with fantastic food, great pubs, and a vibrant atmosphere. The harbourside area is worth exploring. One of the best away trips in the league if you've got the time and budget.
Swansea.com Stadium — Swansea City
Distance from Hull: About 260 miles, roughly 4 hours 30 minutes.
The longest regular away trip in the Championship. The stadium is modern and functional without being exciting. Swansea Bay is beautiful though and the seafront walk is worth doing if you arrive early enough. Consider making a weekend of it because the drive in a single day is punishing. The Mumbles area has excellent pubs and restaurants.
Home Park — Plymouth Argyle
Distance from Hull: About 300 miles, roughly 5 hours.
The big one. The furthest away day in the Football League from Hull. Five hours minimum, probably more with traffic. Plymouth itself is a pleasant surprise with a fantastic waterfront and the Barbican area is excellent for food and drink. Home Park has been partially redeveloped and the away end is decent.
This is a trip that requires commitment. An overnight stay is strongly recommended unless you enjoy driving through the night. Those who make the journey earn lifelong bragging rights among the away day community.
Away Day Essentials for Hull City Fans
Travel tips: Book train tickets as far in advance as possible. The difference between advance and on the day fares from Hull can be enormous. A Railcard saves a third on most tickets and pays for itself within two trips. For driving, fuel costs can be shared between three or four fans to make it affordable.
Tickets: Away tickets for Hull City are usually available through the club website and ticket office. Popular fixtures sell out so buy early. Some grounds have restricted views in the away end so check supporter forums for advice on which seats to avoid.
Atmosphere: Hull City's away support punches above its weight. The core of travelling fans is committed, vocal, and creates a genuine atmosphere at most grounds. If you've never been to an away game, try one. The sense of camaraderie among away fans is unlike anything you'll experience at a home match.
Safety: The Championship is generally safe for away fans. Use common sense, avoid antagonising home supporters, and stick with the group. Most grounds have a family friendly atmosphere even for away fans.
Food rating system: We've rated every ground's nearby food options in our foru
m. Check before you travel so you know whether to eat near the ground or grab something in the city centre beforehand.
