TL;DR: Parking at Cardiff City Stadium requires advance planning, especially for popular matches. The official stadium car park costs £10 (cash only) but closes 60 minutes before kick-off and fills quickly. Pre-booking through platforms like MatchdayParking, Gôl Centres (£10 with £9 bar voucher), or JustPark (from £4.60) guarantees your space. Avoid Asda Leckwith due to strict time limits. Arrive 1.5-2 hours early for the best options, or use public transport from Ninian Park station (5-minute walk).
Finding convenient Cardiff City Stadium parking can transform your match day experience from stressful to enjoyable. Whether you’re a dedicated Bluebirds supporter or an away fan visiting the Welsh capital, securing a parking space near the stadium requires strategic planning. With limited on-site parking and high demand on match days, understanding your options is essential for a smooth arrival at Leckwith Road.
Official Cardiff City Stadium Parking
The stadium offers on-site parking available on match days, typically accessible up to 30 minutes before kick-off, with car parking costing £10 per vehicle (cash only) on a first come, first served basis. However, authorities enforce this strictly – the car park can close 60 minutes before kick-off, with no entry permitted after closure.
The stadium has approximately 1,500 parking spaces, but most are pre-allocated to season ticket holders. A limited number of spaces are available for seasonal purchase by emailing tickets@cardiffcityfc.co.uk, sold on a first come, first served basis with priority given to existing pass holders.
Accessible Parking at Cardiff City Stadium
Designated accessible parking bays are available, and supporters should contact the Disability Access Officer, Ben Jones at ben.jones@cardiffcityfc.co.uk to reserve these spaces. Blue badge holders benefit from convenient access close to stadium entrances, making the match day experience more comfortable.
Pre-Booking Your Cardiff City Stadium Parking Space
Pre-booking guarantees your parking space and eliminates match day stress. Several reliable options allow visitors to reserve spaces in advance:
Secure Match Day Parking Solutions
For supporters looking for hassle-free parking, MatchdayParking provides secure, affordable, and convenient parking for Cardiff City FC matches. With multiple parking options available for upcoming fixtures throughout the season, pre-booking ensures you have a guaranteed space close to the stadium, allowing you to focus on the match rather than searching for parking on arrival.
Cardiff City House of Sport
Cardiff International Sports Campus (CISC) is located directly opposite McDonald’s on Leckwith Road and offers pre-bookable match day parking for Cardiff City FC EFL Championship matches. This location provides convenient access to Cardiff City Stadium with spaces available for pre-booking through their online platform. The secure, school-based parking ensures peace of mind for match attendees.
Gôl Centres Parking
Located at Lawrenny Avenue, Cardiff CF11 8BR, Gôl Centres provides parking just a 10-minute walk from Cardiff City Stadium at £10 per vehicle with a complimentary £9 bar voucher included. This represents exceptional value, effectively reducing your parking cost to £1 when you use the voucher.
The facility suggests arriving 2-3 hours before kick-off to secure your space and enjoy facilities before heading to the stadium. Gôl Centres actively welcomes both home and away supporters, offering a friendly pre-match atmosphere with food, drinks, and free football pitches for children.
JustPark and YourParkingSpace
JustPark offers parking near Cardiff City Stadium from £4.60, with over 218 reservable spaces available including driveways and private parking areas. These platforms connect drivers with local residents who rent out their driveways on match days, often providing spaces within a 5-10 minute walk of the stadium.
Private driveways in the Broadhaven area offer particularly convenient access. Some driveways are situated just a 5-minute flat walk from Cardiff City Stadium, with overnight parking available upon booking.
Can You Park at Asda for Cardiff City Stadium?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about Cardiff City Stadium parking. While Asda Leckwith is temptingly close to the stadium, it’s not a reliable option for match day parking.
JustPark users booking through the platform can park at Asda Leckwith, but customers must ensure they park only in Asda spaces and not in the Capital Retail Park, with vehicle registration required when booking to avoid Parking Charge Notices. However, without pre-booking through authorized platforms, Asda enforces strict time limits with ANPR cameras that make it unsuitable for most matches.
Fan forums confirm that parking enforcement has significantly increased, and ignoring parking charge notices is no longer viable following the Beavis v Parking Eye court case, as enforcement companies now pursue legal action.
Alternative Parking Near Cardiff City Stadium
Leckwith Retail Park Parking
The retail park near the stadium offers parking with approximately 500 spaces located a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium. However, time limits vary by retailer with many restricting parking to 90 minutes, strictly enforced by ANPR cameras. These restrictions make retail park parking insufficient for most matches, which exceed the time limits when you factor in pre-match arrival and post-match delays.
Cardiff City House of Sport
The main visitor car park is located in the away compound of Cardiff City Stadium, with House of Sport at Leckwith just a 1-minute walk away. However, the away compound is out of bounds on Cardiff City FC and Wales National Team match days, with visitors advised to utilize overflow areas or find appropriate off-site parking.
Street Parking Options
Residential streets near the stadium, particularly around Hadfield Road, Whittle Road, and Hadfield Close, sometimes offer on-street parking. However, Cardiff Council Enforcement Officers and South Wales Police are on duty on event days to ensure vehicles are parked legally, issuing Penalty Charge Notices where appropriate.
On Sundays, many on-street parking restrictions don’t apply, making parking free all day. However, spaces near the stadium remain extremely limited on match days regardless of restrictions.
Park and Ride for Cardiff City Stadium
Park and ride services operate for major events at Cardiff, though they’re more commonly associated with Principality Stadium events. The Leckwith park and ride is accessed from Junction 33 of the M4, with drop-off at Tresillian Way North at the rear of the railway station.
While park and ride offers a stress-free alternative for Principality Stadium events with regular shuttle buses, it’s less frequently available for standard Cardiff City FC matches. Check Cardiff Council’s event-specific information for park and ride availability on your match day.
Public Transport to Cardiff City Stadium
Train Services
Ninian Park station is located off Leckwith Road, approximately 0.2 miles from the stadium with trains departing half-hourly Monday to Saturday, though services don’t run on Sundays. Access to this station is via steep ramps from the pavements. Grangetown station is approximately 0.7 miles from the stadium with more frequent trains that reach Cardiff Central in 5 minutes, though the station is only reachable via steps.
Bus Services
Bus services include Number 1 and 2 (City centre, Cardiff Bay to Sloper Road) and numbers 95 and 95A (City centre, Wood Street to Jubilee Park/Asda Leckwith Road). The stadium is well-served by local transport, making it an excellent alternative to driving.
After the game, shuttle buses run every 15 minutes for 1 hour from the stadium back to Wood Street for certain matches. Please note that the first two buses to depart after the match run along the A4232 Link Road, Mermaid Quay and Lloyd George Avenue, not along Leckwith Road and Ninian Park Road due to road closures in place post-match.
Taxi Options
Taxis are readily available across the city, with trips from the city centre to the stadium costing between £7-£10. Pre-booking a taxi ensures availability, particularly after matches when demand surges.
Cardiff City Stadium Parking: Price Comparison
Match Day Parking Tips for Cardiff City Stadium
- Arrive Early: Arriving 2-3 hours before kick-off secures your parking space and gives time to enjoy facilities before the match. Popular fixtures fill all nearby parking within an hour of kick-off.
- Pre-Book Whenever Possible: Guaranteed parking eliminates stress and often costs less than searching for last-minute spaces. MatchdayParking offers secure options for Cardiff City FC fixtures, while Gôl Centres and JustPark also provide reliable pre-booking.
- Consider Public Transport: Trains from Ninian Park station offer a 5-minute walk to the stadium without parking hassles. The Cardiff Bus network provides excellent access from across the city.
- Plan Your Exit Route: Sloper Road from the junction with Virgil Street to Leckwith Road closes post-match for up to an hour. Factor in traffic delays when planning your departure.
- Respect Local Residents: The stadium respectfully asks visitors to consider neighbors by not obstructing footways or private entrances. Parking enforcement actively monitors residential areas.
- Check Road Closures: Road closures around the stadium affect match day traffic flow. Allow extra journey time and follow official signage to reach your parking area.
Where Do Away Fans Park at Cardiff City Stadium?
Away supporters use the same parking options as home fans. Gôl Centres particularly welcomes away fans and offers a friendly atmosphere where both sets of supporters can discuss the match. Away supporters travelling via coach park in the dedicated away car park outside the away turnstiles at Gate 12.
MatchdayParking provide pre-bookable options popular with traveling fans who want guaranteed parking close to the away section. Many away fans also park in Cardiff city centre and use public transport or taxis to reach the stadium.
Driving to Cardiff City Stadium
Access from the motorway is easy – leave the M4 at Junction 33 and take the A4232 towards Cardiff/Barry, then exit onto the B4267 signposted Cardiff City Stadium. Enter through the Main Entrance, directly off the A4232. The postcode is CF11 8AZ.
Following a satellite navigation system may direct you through Cardiff city centre, potentially adding around 30 minutes to your journey. Instead, follow motorway signage directly to the stadium via the A4232 to avoid unnecessary delays.
Parking for Wales Football Games at Cardiff City Stadium
When Cardiff City Stadium hosts Wales national team matches, parking demand significantly increases. Dynamic pricing often applies to commercial parking options, with earlier bookings typically offering better rates.
House of Sport matchday parking becomes available for Wales games through specific booking platforms. All standard parking options remain available, though they book up faster for international fixtures. Planning well in advance is crucial for Wales matches to secure your preferred parking space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking free at Cardiff City Stadium?
No, the stadium car park costs £10 (cash only). Some on-street parking nearby is free on Sundays and after 6pm on weekdays, but spaces are extremely limited on match days.
How early should I arrive for parking on match day?
Arrive at least 1.5-2 hours before kick-off for popular matches. The official car park can close 60 minutes before kick-off, and alternative parking fills quickly.
Can I pre-book parking near Cardiff City Stadium?
Yes, you can pre-book through MatchdayParking for Cardiff City FC matches, as well as Cardiff City House of Sport, Gôl Centres, JustPark, YourParkingSpace, and some private operators. Pre-booking guarantees your space and often offers better rates than match-day parking.
What’s the closest parking to Cardiff City Stadium?
The official stadium car park is closest at £10 (cash only), but spaces are limited. Cardiff City House of Sport offers excellent proximity with pre-booking available, while Gôl Centres is a 10-minute walk with pre-booking guaranteed.
Is there disabled parking at Cardiff City Stadium?
Yes, designated accessible parking bays are available. Contact ben.jones@cardiffcityfc.co.uk to reserve spaces in advance.
Where should away fans park for Cardiff City matches?
Away fans can use the same parking as home supporters. Popular options include Gôl Centres (which welcomes away fans), pre-booked spaces through JustPark, or city centre parking with public transport to the stadium.
What time does the stadium car park close before kick-off?
The official stadium car park can close up to 60 minutes before kick-off, with no entry permitted after closure. This makes arriving early essential if using stadium parking.
Can you park at Leckwith Retail Park for matches?
Retail park parking is restricted to 90 minutes at most stores, strictly enforced by ANPR. This is insufficient for most matches and risks penalty charges.
Final Thoughts
Securing Cardiff City Stadium parking requires advance planning, but several excellent options ensure a stress-free match day experience. Pre-booking through services like MatchdayParking for Cardiff City FC fixtures, Gôl Centres or JustPark guarantees your space and eliminates last-minute stress. The official stadium car park offers maximum convenience but limited availability, while public transport from Ninian Park station provides an efficient alternative.
Whether you’re supporting the Bluebirds at a crucial Championship fixture or watching Wales compete on the international stage, proper parking planning lets you focus on what matters – enjoying the match. Book early, arrive with time to spare, and you’ll start your Cardiff City Stadium experience on the right foot.
⚽️ Book your guaranteed Cardiff City Stadium parking with MatchdayParking today. Secure your spot before match day stress kicks in!