A decent multi purpose stadium. Maybe lacks a bit of a football feel compared to Etihad or Anfield.read more

As Peter Gabriel once sang, "Ricoh... Ricoh, Ricoh, Ricoh." Steven Ricoh, a South African…read moreanti-apartheid hero, a teacher who was brutally murdered by the police. Racism is one of the most f***ed up concepts on the planet, so if you have racial prejudices, trust me, if you ever trust me about one thing, trust me on this, get the f*** over them. We are all the same. You are wrong. Thanks. Speaking of wrong, it's wrong to put this stadium where it's hard to get to, and to put the prices so damn high, and for that reason I have to give it a 4 instead of a 5. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I couldn't believe how much I had to pay for a ticket. Is this the Premier League? I think not. I paid more here than I paid even at a Fulham game... a home Premier League game in London! I'm not sure why this is the case and believe me it's the only reason it scores a 4 instead of 5. Because this is an absolutely remarkable stadium. State of the art, beautiful, magnificent, with intense and loud support from the rabid Coventry fans. I love it. It's a great place to watch concerts too. It's twice the stadium Highfield Road was. But as long as the prices are this high, I can't give them more than 4. The last game I saw here was 2011, and I'm hoping to go back to another one in 2016... if I can afford it. It reminds me of Manchester City's stadium, believe it or not. I've been inside both - lucky boy. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** But I still love this place. It's capable of a great atmosphere (the team will need to get back to the Prem for that, they're 2 tiers down), it's held rock concerts like the awesome Bon Jovi an the awful Nickelback and someday hopefully me, and it's a cute sky blue like the team. It looks great inside and out like my gf. It was part of the Olympics and can hold a whopping 32k fans which is fantastic for a new stadium. It cost a whopping 113 million which is crazy. Because the stadium is owned by ACL I'll keep it at 4 stars, they're really mean to the club itself. It's an AMAZING stadium, but CCFC need to own it in order for this to work properly.

Trent Bridge, the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, is a world famous cricketing…read morelandmark. Recognised as one of the finest cricket venues across the globe, it has acted as host for county and Test cricket since 1838 and is the world's third oldest Test ground. It can now host 17,000 people on a match day and is regularly sold out for Test and One-day Internationals, as well as offering many other facilities to visitors and guests from around Nottingham and further afield. The stewarding is friendly and helpful, the bars plentiful and efficient, and there is a good cricket shop. The Club Library houses a terrific collection of books and you can while away time there if rain should intervene.

Trent Bridge is a great place to whittle away the hours watching both international and domestic…read morecricket. With a capacity of 17,500 (after the new stand was erected) the grounds are certainly not small in stature but it is able to maintain its friendly and welcoming nature which is helped by the many staff and stewards who are on site. Although I'm not the biggest cricket fan around, I have been here several times with my partner and have still always enjoyed the whole experience. It does seem to be particularly exciting when Trent Bridge plays host to Test cricket.

If you spend the night at my place and your clothing ends up strewn across the floor, I won't mind…read morethat you left your Bra in My Hall. (brainmyhall) as long as your Lane down in my bed. In fact this stadium is named after the concept... Brainmyhall Lane. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I absolutely love Bramall Lane. It's infinitely better than Hillsborough, the other Sheffield stadium. I've seen Oxford play here (and get beaten) a long time ago, but recently I saw a Sheffield home game in League Two, and the fans were just as loud as any Prem stadium! They're such amazing passionate fans and this is just such a cauldron. I've seen maybe 3 games here and can't wait to go to a 4th, probably in 2016. I have pictures of my time here and will always consider a part of me a SUFC supporter because of these intense experiences. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** This is one of the best stadiums in England, easily. It's loud, obnoxious, intense, modern and rebuilt, but old and historical. It's closed in, it's beautiful, it's fantastic. I don't even particularly love Sheffield United, but they have a hell of a tradition, a hell of a support, and a hell of a team. The Blades. Bramall holds 32k people and gets intense crowds for sure. It's right near town and is a wonderful place to watch footy. It was built way the hell back in 1855 too so it's one of the oldest grounds in the UK. Back in those days, rent for the ground was 70 pounds a year... haha. 1862 was the first footy game... Sheffield FC vs Hallam FC. England have played here 5 times. There are 10 or 12 other reviews for this stadium, but they are incorrectly under the club page for SUFC. Hopefully theywill be moved over here soon.

The Alexander Stadium is a world class athletics venue and has hosted many big Athletics events…read moreincluding the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix as well as European Trials and UK Championships. It is also the home of the Birchfield Harriers. Ashia Hansen, Kelly Sotherton and Mark Lewis-Francis are some of the members at Birchfield Harriers. The Stadium itself is a great place to watch Athletics and this place really is worth a visit. Alexander Stadium has recently had a £12.5 million expansion and refurbishment. The money has gone towards building a new stand which has a capacity of 5,000. That means the overall capacity of the Stadium is 12,700. So many of the world's best Athletes have competed at the Alexander Stadium and if you are in Birmingham and fancy watching some Athletics, pop in and see why the Alexander Stadium has received so many positive reviews.

For Athletic venues, you can't go wrong here. It is truly first class and famous for the Birchfield…read moreHarriers. With many different leisure activities available here, you are spolit for choice! The staff are all very helpful and so friendly. The only draw back with Alexander Stadium is the gym, its quite old and very small compared with a lot of other gyms out in Brum, I mean compared with Kingstanding gym, Kingstanding wins as it is larger and has more updated equipment, but it is still goodwhen it is quite like in the day. All in all, a great stadium with equally great staff.

Haven't been to be a Panthers game but probably will plan on it because in fairness they do look…read moreexciting, despite Nottingham not being my city. The ice rink however is a good place to come to and the NIC has to be one of the best in the country. Ice Locker is convenient and has plenty to offer, there have a fair amount to offer as far as drinks and snacks. The ice is also in good condition and brilliant for skating on, would recommend to everyone for ice skating and will be visiting again hopefully for another session, had a good time here. I think this venue is good for ice hockey as wel and hopefully will be able to do some scrimmages. Great rink.

This is an excellent Ice centre for skating and a great venue to see live bands and the Nottingham…read morePanthers. There is more than one ice rink and there are skating lessons as well as public skating sessions. The prices are reasonable. There is skate hire available and a cafe to get food from. There are enough toilets, vending machines and lockers around the place. The centre is easy to get to by bus and not far from car parks. There is a shop inside selling Nottingham Panthers gear. Lots of great bands visit this centre and you from lots of queues inside and wait till the arena has opened. They have lots of places to buy merchandise and food and drinks.

The worst experience I've ever had going to an organised event…read more Unfortunately I have to carry epi pens and other such items in a back pack for my health which I was told to ditch or throw away by the head of security after my bag was checked three times by other security and a drug/bomb dog. Had life saving medication on and the guy didn't care, I either threw my bag away (£70) as he wasn't letting me in with it. It could have been rolled up and put into the black bag I was given by one of his subordinates after he stormed off like a child. He also said that women were allowed in with theirs as their bags are "fashionable" accessories. I'm sorry but mine saves my life!!! I went to see a comedy show, this wasn't the start I wanted and hated my experience/night that I paid good money for. I lost my £70 bag as it wasn't there when I came out. Head of security needs some more training

No more trekking over to Manchester to see anyone remotely decent is the hope…read more I'd had my reservations going in, from the outside I think it looks somewhat like a little bit of a monstrosity, but once inside that's forgotten - the First Direct Leeds Arena has arrived, and it's goooood. So very very goooood. The build quality and the finish on the place is fantastic and when you couple that with the really helpful staff they've managed to find somewhere, my feeling is that the Arena is brilliant. I was lucky enough to be the guest (albeit paid) of Gaucho and in their box, and again much like the whole of the Arena, the finish quality is fantastic, kitted out with fridges, sofas, comfy chairs and then a bank of arena seating for when the acts come on. The Cadbury chocolate which was branded for the act was a nice touch too. Holding only 13,000 people it's apparently a 'small' arena, and that's a good thing for me because as someone who loves going to gigs but really cant abide standing 800 metres away from who you're watching, the idea of the arena held thoughts of being too far away to see the act. This isn't the case, and with 13,000 people it still almost feels intimate. I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to seeing who it attracts, because it really is top notch, it really should bring Leeds some great, really big acts. And yes, I'm really looking forward to not having to trek over to Manchester too. Also, Elton John totally rocked on the official opening night.

Went to watch a movie at the Odeon Cinema attached to the SkyDome…read more As you walk in the lobby you have to go up the escalater to buy your tickets. Once purchased there are the usual foody counters with Ben & Jerrys, Costa and popcorn. This is not a huge cinema but Screen 1 had a large screen. If your out early enough the Harvester restaurant and pub next door are in an ideal location for a bite to eat before or after. You cant miss IKEA just over the road. With 6 floors to shop and plenty of carparking (4 hours if you spent £10 in IKEA)

Day or night Skydome is the place to be. With cinemas, variety eating outlets and a lively…read morenightlife theres not much you won't find here. Bars for all peoples different interests. Maybe the one thing missing is a traditional pub but you can get the same drinks at one of the trendy modern bars.

Edgeley Park is a very Edgy Park in that all of the boys and all of the girls in this park tend to…read morewatch football in the nude. At least in my dreams they do. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I used to live just down the road from here in Chorlton Cum Hardy and my friend Derek used to live right by this ground. When I was a kid, I saw one game here, and then as an adult, one more in 2007. It's a fantastic, huge, intense, passionate crowd and ground, and I look forward to seeing another one. I hope they get back into the league very soon. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** Easily the best and biggest stadium outside the Conference Premier and Football League, and hopefully it won't be for long. The once-mighty Stockport County play here, and were in League One for awhile. See my review on this team for more info. This stadium holds over 10k people and as lifelong fan Jonny says, has excellent pies. Unless they've ran out of them, in which case you'd have to ask, who ate all the pies? Probably the Geordies. Or Mike Ashley. Or both. This is a real stadium and a real English football experience, unlike the commercial corporate overpriced Manchester giants, so give it a go and see what you think of "the way it used to be." Yer avin a larf.

I have to give the hallowed turf and spiritual home of Stockport County a five star rating…read more I've been coming to Edgeley Park since I was a wee nipper and the only thing that's changed is a slightly more crumbled stadium, a scoreboard that makes its own mind up of when it's going to work and a slow and painful drop for the team through 5 divisions in 10 years. But - this is real football! If you can't afford to attend Utd or City each week and want to enjoy the pints in the pub beforehand, the banter on the terrace and the fact that you can meet and chat to the players before and after the game, then Edgeley Park is the place to be each Saturday. County are now in the Conference North, playing teams that get around 10-20% of the 4000 a week attendance we get, so the 2013-2014 season could be a good place to start for anyone up for a bit of glory hunting At £15 to get in and a little over £3 a pint (with local brewery Robinsons well stocked - just make sure you sit in the Cheadle End) it's a cost effective place to enjoy a few hours each week. The pies aren't half bad as well, as everyone who I meet for the first time tells me once I say I'm a County fan - just ask the Geordies I know who attend about 4 times a year and can't wait for their lunch time treat at half time!

I fulfilled a boyhood dream this year…read more Badminton is Malaysia's favourite sport and one of the sport's premier events, the All England Championships, has been held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham since 1994. I recall being allowed to stay up late to watch my badminton heroes play on live telecast when I was growing up in Malaysia. It all seemed so far away, so exotic, so out of reach. So, I was overjoyed this year to find out that my parents were visiting me from Malaysia exactly on the dates that the All England Badminton Championships would be taking place this year. Booking tickets for all of us on line proved quite painless. We were able to walk to the NIA from our city centre hotel in about 15 minutes. There is parking available at the arena though it does seem to be in the middle of a fairly residential area. The excitement built as we ran into more badminton fans and we kept passing posters advertising the All Englands with Malaysia's world number 1 Lee Chong Wei taking centre stage. The only delay was in collecting pre-booked tickets. It wasn't really clear which of the many windows to join and lots of people were kept outside in the rain as people shuffled forward slowly to get the tickets. Once in, we could hardly believe we were actually at the finals of this legendary event that we used to watch on TV for so many years. The venue seemed a little more friendly than the rather stark Wembley Arena which used to host this event before it moved to Birmingham. There were enough fast food stands serving the usual fare and the toilets were clean. There were a lot of stands selling badminton kit and memorabilia. They had laid on some pre-match entertainment in the form of a classical music trio playing live before the badminton began. The actual set up for the badminton was good with side lighting making it easy for the players to spot the shuttles when they were lifted high and sightlines were good for spectators. The full house of good-natured supporters from all over the globe created a wonderful atmosphere, chanting and cheering on their favourites. Unlike football, no crowd segregation was necessary to keep the peace. The final icing on the cake came for us when we watched Lee Chong Wei defeat his personal nemesis and close rival Lin Dan in the final match of the championship to successfully defend his All England title. One of the best live sporting events in my life

Disney or any production by Disney isn't usually my thing but went to see Disney Frozen on ice with…read morea friend who had a spare ticket so I thought why not. The Barclaycard arena was like any other venue for concerts or shows. It seemed very organised with the Stuards ushering people into lines to go through. Lots of little girls dressed as Elsa so I felt little left out! Once in there it was chaos with so many stands of Frozen merchandise, food and memorabilia. The seating area was quite a large arena. I'm not sure I would go again unless my favourite artist was playing and seemed like the place for kids shows.

The Britannia Stadium is home to Stoke City Football Club, although now known as the Bet365 Stadium…read morefor sponsorship reasons, or the Stoke Stadium in terms of UEFA competitions (jokes, Stoke will likely never qualify for them anyway). My first visit here was on a cold, wet rainy night in Stoke, as the legend claims, and I came to watch my team, Manchester City beat Stoke 2-0. The stadium has a capacity of just over 30,000 following the expansion in 2017. Outside the stadium, there is a statue of Sir Stanley Matthews, who played for Stoke City for 15 years, his ashes are also buried under the stadium. The stadium seems a little old-fashioned in some regards, especially when considering it was built in 1997, the concourse area does not appear to be wheelchair accessible and the wheelchair seating was basically a free for all. The stewards around the ground seemed friendly enough, although it was annoying that they would constantly block the view throughout the game, through walking in front of the pitch non-stop and refusing to sit down at first. The problem was worsened at the second half due to cameramen standing and setting themselves up all infront of me, making it once again difficult to view the game, especially being on one of the first few rows. The stadium is accessed on a match-day through a shuttle bus from the city centre, near the train station, these are basically the old London buses, the bus was quite uncomfortable and charged at £2 each way. Also due to being on a hill, this stadium can get cold at times and due to overall facilities, especially where stewards did not even know how to scan my ticket into the ground and due to issues with view, I sadly feel the Bet365 Stadium is actually a poor ground for a current Premier League team, even for a Championship team (where it looks like Stoke are heading based on current performance), this ground isn't good enough, so sadly warrants a one-star rating.

Stock City is a retail store that is a bit like Asda or Walmart or something. You can buy things in…read morebulk and stock up on whatever you need. Luckily this is not that place, this is a really impressive football club with one of the toughest stadiums to play in for visiting fans because the wind really whips through it like Indiana Jones in a crowd of Nazis. First-Hand Experience: I saw Stoke City play live at the Britannia once, and have seen them at other venues once or twice. The Britannia is very very loud. They were formed way back in 1863 and are one of the oldest teams in the world. The club has had lots of problems with hooligans which causes it to lose 1 star. West Brom, Wolves and Port Vale are the rival teams. They have never won the league or even come close to it. They were FA Cup Runners Up in 2011, and League Cup Winners in 1972, and runners up in 1964. That's their entire history really which is a shame for such an old team. Any club which asks the man that built the Premier League incarnation of the club (Pulis) to leave and then hires mid-table-Mark-Hughes, it just left a sour taste in the mouth and was very disloyal.