The Away End

Away supporters' handbook

Away-day planner

Portman Road, Ipswich

Everything an away end needs at Portman Road — the route, the safe pub, and the detour worth making. Built around the published 2026–27 fixture list, with general travel reminders for the date.

Full Ipswich guide

Selected date

Sat 26 Dec

15:00 · v Brentford

Kick-off subject to change (TV picks). Source: Premier League fixtures · checked 14 October 2026

Ground

Portman Road

Capacity 30,294

Away end

Cobbold Stand (side stand)

Varies by fixture

Travel

Ipswich

10–15 min walk (crowds may add time)

Coming up at Ipswich

Upcoming home games

Your matchday card

Ipswich v Brentford

Saturday 26 December 2026 · 15:00 · Portman Road

Kick-off 15:00
Drive to the groundWalk from IpswichWhere to stay

  • Leave home

    3h journey each way

    09:30

  • Pub / food

    Time for a pint and a bite

    12:30

  • At the ground

    Beat the turnstile queues

    14:00

  • In your seat

    Warm-up and team news

    14:40

Times are a guide from the published kick-off — always allow extra for engineering works and matchday road closures.

From YouTube

Ipswich v Brentford: the build-up

Fan previews and travel chat, gathered in the week before kick-off.

Picked automatically and screened for bad language, violence and abuse. Spot something that slipped through? Report it and it'll be hidden.

From YouTube

Away days at Portman Road

Vlogs and first-hand experiences from visiting fans.

Picked automatically and screened for bad language, violence and abuse. Spot something that slipped through? Report it and it'll be hidden.

From YouTube

Places to eat in Ipswich

Popular food guides and reviews from YouTube.

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From YouTube

Best pubs in Ipswich

Popular pub guides and reviews from YouTube.

These pubs are not checked as away-friendly. Many pubs near grounds are home-fans only on matchdays and colours policies vary — check with the club or police before you go.

Picked automatically and screened for bad language, violence and abuse. Spot something that slipped through? Report it and it'll be hidden.

Stylised illustration of Portman Road in Ipswich
A

Getting there

  • Ipswich station — Direct trains from London Liverpool Street; the ground is a straightforward 15-minute walk over the river.
  • Bus from the station — Local buses run close to the ground for those who'd rather not walk.
  • Driving — A14 then A137 into the town centre; car parks near the ground are limited, so many fans use park-and-ride.
B

Food and drink options

Pubs named for away fans by an official source come first. Arrangements can change for high-risk fixtures.

  • Station Hotel — The pub the club's away fans' guide names as welcoming visiting supporters, near Ipswich station. Recommended by the clubColours welcomeSourceMap

Other ideas (not verified)

  • The Arbor House, town centre — A reliable pre-match pub a short walk from the ground. Colours policy unknownMap
  • Portman Road chippies — A handful of good fish and chip shops on the approach to the ground. Colours policy unknownMap
  • Ipswich Waterfront — Restaurants and bars on the marina, a pleasant spot if arriving early. Colours policy unknownMap
C

Worth the detour

Christchurch Mansion

Tudor mansion and free art gallery in its own park, a short walk from the centre.

Open in maps

Ipswich Waterfront

Regenerated marina area with the University of Suffolk campus and dockside walks.

Open in maps

Ancient House

Ornately decorated timber-framed building in the town centre, one of England's finest surviving examples.

Open in maps
D

Off the beaten track

Lower-profile pubs, cafés and corners. Not yet verified — check opening times and any colours policy before visiting.

  • The Dove Street Inn

    Traditional real ale pub in the town centre, quieter than the main matchday strip.

    Open in maps

  • Holywells Park

    A large park near the waterfront that few visiting fans venture to.

    Open in maps

  • Isaacs on the Quay

    Waterfront bar in a converted maltings building, a good spot away from the crowds near the ground.

    Open in maps

Transport alert

Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year rail services are often reduced; check National Rail before travelling.

Local event

Local arrangements

Arrangements can vary by fixture — check your club's supporter information before travelling.

Ground note · unverified

Portman Road is tightly hemmed in by residential streets — parking near the ground is very limited.

Ground note · unverified

The walk from the station can be crowded on both sides just before kick-off; leave good time.

What the day will cost

Rough guide for a trip to Ipswich

Rough advance return fare per person

  • Travel£53
  • Away ticket£30
  • Drinks (3 pints)£16
  • Food on the day£14

Each person

£112

Group of 2

£225

Estimates only — fuel at 16p a mile, pints at £5.20, and walk-up rail fares can be far higher than advance singles.

Before you set off

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How was Cobbold Stand (side stand) at Portman Road?

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