The Football Fan Experience Index

Fans are at the heart of every club. They’re the patrons of their team; its past, present, and future, regardless of its ups and downs. The fans themselves are always proud of their support, sometimes “for their sins”, even when their side is down and out – and especially when their side is on top of the division.

Some stadiums around the UK are notorious, known for their diehard support, and bucket list away days,

The football pyramid is packed full of historic grounds, places where the pressure weighs heavier on opposition players, or where the chorus of a packed Kop inspires victory.

A lot of modern stadiums get a bad rap too. So-called soulless bowls that leave much to be desired and provide a less than enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

To find the best fan experience in the UK, BetVictor analysed the eight key metrics including ticket prices, infrastructure quality, food, atmosphere, and more. It was then ranked according to almost 4 million football fans visiting 100+ stadiums across England, Wales and Scotland.

Ranking factors:
Avg Season Ticket Cost - Average season ticket cost based on 2021/22 prices
Location Rating - Access in relation to public and private transport
Median Ticket Cost - Determined by 2021/22 ticket prices
Number of Votes - Number of ratings from attending fans
Stadium View Rating - View of pitch voted by attending fans
Food Rating - Food quality voted by fans
Atmosphere Rating - Match atmosphere inc. songs, volume, home fans, voted by fans
Infrastructure Rating - Quality of stadium and facilities voted by fans

Top 10

According to the research, Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park perhaps surprisingly offers the best fan experience in the country with almost 40,000 votes praising its atmosphere, infrastructure, view, and food – not to mention its ticket price is at good value for attending fans!

Interestingly, Nottingham Forest land at position two in the ranking, making the famous City Ground the best stadium for fan experience in the Premier League.

However, the best fan experiences in England generally are not in the Premier League, with only Manchester United and Brighton from England’s top flight joining Forest in the top ten overall.

It appears that footballing purists rate the older grounds as great places to visit – Coventry, West Brom, Sheffield United, Bolton and Bradford all make it into the Top 10 despite the divisions that they’re in, whilst newly-promoted Championship side Sunderland round out the Top 10.

EPL
Championship
League 1
League 2
1.
Tranmere Rovers
78.91
2.
Nottingham Forest
77.92
3.
Coventry City
77.80
4.
West Bromwich Albion
76.55
5.
Manchester United
76.44
6.
Sheffield United
76.43
7.
Brighton & Hove Albion
75.34
8.
Bolton Wanderers
75.23
9.
Bradford City
74.36
10.
Sunderland
74.32

Final Ranking EPL

Total Score (out of 100)
1
Nottingham Forest
77.92
2
Manchester United
76.44
3
Brighton & Hove Albion
75.34
4
Manchester City
73.36
5
Tottenham Hotspur
73.31

Final Ranking Championship

Total Score (out of 100)
1
Coventry City
77.80
2
West Bromwich Albion
76.55
3
Sheffield United
76.43
4
Sunderland
74.32
5
Norwich City
72.80

Final Ranking League 1 & 2

Total Score (out of 100)
1
Tranmere Rovers
78.91
2
Bolton Wanderers
75.23
3
Bradford City
74.36
4
Plymouth Argyle
74.24
5
Charlton Athletic
73.83

Final Ranking Scotland

Total Score (out of 100)
1
Hibernian
79.81
2
St Mirren
78.12
3
Rangers
77.12
4
Celtic
76.98
5
Hearts
76.78

The Full Index

Data view:
Actual Figures
Ranking Weight
Filter by league:
EPL
Championship
League 1
League 2
All Leagues
Rank Team League Total Mileage Season Ticket Cost Median Ticket Cost Number of Votes Atmosphere Rating Location Rating Stadium View Rating Food Rating Infrastructure Rating Total Mileage Season Ticket Cost Median Ticket Cost Number of Votes Atmosphere Rating Location Rating Stadium View Rating Food Rating Infrastructure Rating Total Score (out of 100)
1 Tranmere Rovers League 2 10,000 £342 £22.00 39,071 70 70 80 80 70 5.00 2.19 6.82 4.06 17.50 3.89 8.89 15.00 15.56 78.91
2 Nottingham Forest EPL 10,000 £365 £22.60 69,374 60 80 80 70 70 5.00 2.05 6.64 7.21 15.00 4.44 8.89 13.13 15.56 77.92
3 Coventry City Championship 10,000 £375 £24.00 37,779 70 60 80 70 80 5.00 2.00 6.25 3.93 17.50 3.33 8.89 13.13 17.78 77.80
4 West Bromwich Albion Championship 10,000 £359 £21.50 57,949 60 70 80 70 70 5.00 2.09 6.98 6.02 15.00 3.89 8.89 13.13 15.56 76.55
5 Manchester United EPL 10,000 £532 £42.00 96,217 60 70 80 70 70 5.00 1.41 3.57 10.00 15.00 3.89 8.89 13.13 15.56 76.44
6 Sheffield United Championship 10,000 £403 £27.89 63,041 70 80 80 60 70 5.00 1.86 5.38 6.55 17.50 4.44 8.89 11.25 15.56 76.43
7 Brighton & Hove Albion EPL 10,000 £535 £47.50 12,840 80 50 80 80 80 5.00 1.40 3.16 1.33 20.00 2.78 8.89 15.00 17.78 75.34
8 Bolton Wanderers League 1 10,000 £219 £22.10 52,264 60 70 80 60 70 5.00 3.42 6.79 5.43 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 15.56 75.23
9 Bradford City League 2 10,000 £198 £25.00 45,337 70 70 80 60 60 5.00 3.79 6.00 4.71 17.50 3.89 8.89 11.25 13.33 74.36
10 Sunderland Championship 10,000 £360 £27.00 44,192 70 70 80 60 70 5.00 2.08 5.56 4.59 17.50 3.89 8.89 11.25 15.56 74.32
11 Plymouth Argyle League 1 10,000 £245 £21.10 31,774 70 80 80 50 70 5.00 3.06 7.11 3.30 17.50 4.44 8.89 9.38 15.56 74.24
12 Charlton Athletic League 1 10,000 £260 £24.00 57,219 70 70 70 60 60 5.00 2.88 6.25 5.95 17.50 3.89 7.78 11.25 13.33 73.83
13 Manchester City EPL 10,000 £325 £44.00 50,136 70 70 80 50 80 5.00 2.31 3.41 5.21 17.50 3.89 8.89 9.38 17.78 73.36
14 Sheffield Wednesday League 1 10,000 £430 £34.50 67,433 70 60 70 70 60 5.00 1.74 4.35 7.01 17.50 3.33 7.78 13.13 13.33 73.17
15 Tottenham Hotspur EPL 10,000 £807 £62.50 3,824 80 60 90 60 90 5.00 0.93 2.40 0.40 20.00 3.33 10.00 11.25 20.00 73.31
16 Aston Villa EPL 10,000 £370 £26.50 77,108 60 70 80 60 60 5.00 2.03 5.66 8.01 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 13.33 73.06
17 Derby County League 1 10,000 £350 £28.00 57,013 60 70 80 60 70 5.00 2.14 5.36 5.93 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 15.56 73.01
18 Norwich City Championship 10,000 £499 £31.50 48,197 70 80 70 60 70 5.00 1.50 4.76 5.01 17.50 4.44 7.78 11.25 15.56 72.80
19 Hull City Championship 10,000 £359 £21.00 36,303 60 70 80 60 70 5.00 2.09 7.14 3.77 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 15.56 72.59
20 Rotherham United Championship 10,000 £395 £27.00 11,874 60 80 80 80 70 5.00 1.90 5.56 1.23 15.00 4.44 8.89 15.00 15.56 72.58
21 Stoke City Championship 10,000 £294 £20.00 51,398 60 50 70 70 60 5.00 2.55 7.50 5.34 15.00 2.78 7.78 13.13 13.33 72.41
22 AFC Wimbledon League 2 10,000 £435 £27.89 1,654 70 70 90 70 70 5.00 1.72 5.38 0.17 17.50 3.89 10.00 13.13 15.56 72.34
23 Reading Championship 10,000 £299 £27.50 50,989 60 50 80 60 70 5.00 2.51 5.45 5.30 15.00 2.78 8.89 11.25 15.56 71.73
24 Harrogate Town League 2 10,000 £314 £19.00 6,005 70 70 70 70 60 5.00 2.39 7.89 0.62 17.50 3.89 7.78 13.13 13.33 71.53
25 Middlesbrough Championship 10,000 £420 £30.50 41,344 70 70 80 50 70 5.00 1.79 4.92 4.30 17.50 3.89 8.89 9.38 15.56 71.21
26 Blackburn Rovers Championship 10,000 £399 £30.50 58,381 60 60 70 60 70 5.00 1.88 4.92 6.07 15.00 3.33 7.78 11.25 15.56 70.78
27 Millwall Championship 10,000 £385 £25.00 40,898 60 60 80 70 60 5.00 1.95 6.00 4.25 15.00 3.33 8.89 13.13 13.33 70.88
28 Leicester City EPL 10,000 £365 £38.00 47,615 60 70 80 60 70 5.00 2.05 3.95 4.95 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 15.56 70.53
29 Wigan Athletic Championship 10,000 £375 £30.00 48,705 50 60 80 70 70 5.00 2.00 5.00 5.06 12.50 3.33 8.89 13.13 15.56 70.46
30 Birmingham City Championship 10,000 £265 £27.50 60,909 60 60 70 60 60 5.00 2.83 5.45 6.33 15.00 3.33 7.78 11.25 13.33 70.31
31 Rochdale League 2 10,000 £175 £20.00 31,032 60 50 70 60 60 5.00 4.29 7.50 3.23 15.00 2.78 7.78 11.25 13.33 70.15
32 Arsenal EPL 10,000 £891 £62.00 43,892 60 80 80 60 80 5.00 0.84 2.42 4.56 15.00 4.44 8.89 11.25 17.78 70.18
33 Barnsley League 1 10,000 £350 £28.60 52,065 60 70 80 60 60 5.00 2.14 5.25 5.41 15.00 3.89 8.89 11.25 13.33 70.16
34 Southampton EPL 10,000 £399 £28.17 43,785 70 70 80 40 70 5.00 1.88 5.33 4.55 17.50 3.89 8.89 7.50 15.56 70.09
35 Wolverhampton Wanderers EPL 10,000 £549 £31.00 60,839 60 80 70 50 70 5.00 1.37 4.84 6.32 15.00 4.44 7.78 9.38 15.56 69.68
36 Preston North End Championship 10,000 £400 £27.00 49,500 60 60 80 50 70 5.00 1.88 5.56 5.14 15.00 3.33 8.89 9.38 15.56 69.73
37 Newcastle United EPL 10,000 £417 £38.50 59,175 60 90 70 50 70 5.00 1.80 3.90 6.15 15.00 5.00 7.78 9.38 15.56 69.55
38 Doncaster Rovers League 2 10,000 £229 £21.60 27,734 50 60 80 60 70 5.00 3.28 6.95 2.88 12.50 3.33 8.89 11.25 15.56 69.63
39 Stockport County League 2 10,000 £380 £18.00 35,180 70 80 70 40 60 5.00 1.97 8.33 3.66 17.50 4.44 7.78 7.50 13.33 69.52
40 Liverpool EPL 10,000 £685 £34.00 74,570 60 60 70 50 70 5.00 1.09 4.41 7.75 15.00 3.33 7.78 9.38 15.56 69.30
41 Swansea City Championship 10,000 £249 £30.00 21,079 60 60 80 60 70 5.00 3.01 5.00 2.19 15.00 3.33 8.89 11.25 15.56 69.23
42 Grimsby Town League 2 10,000 £300 £25.00 34,007 70 60 60 70 50 5.00 2.50 6.00 3.53 17.50 3.33 6.67 13.13 11.11 68.77
43 Portsmouth League 1 10,000 £313 £20.66 47,637 80 70 60 50 40 5.00 2.40 7.26 4.95 20.00 3.89 6.67 9.38 8.89 68.43
44 Northampton Town League 2 10,000 £370 £21.25 33,593 60 60 70 60 60 5.00 2.03 7.06 3.49 15.00 3.33 7.78 11.25 13.33 68.27
45 Watford Championship 10,000 £496 £39.00 58,495 60 60 80 60 60 5.00 1.51 3.85 6.08 15.00 3.33 8.89 11.25 13.33 68.24
46 Fulham EPL 10,000 £340 £52.50 59,835 60 80 70 60 60 5.00 2.21 2.86 6.22 15.00 4.44 7.78 11.25 13.33 68.09
47 Cardiff City Championship 10,000 £249 £33.50 15,992 60 60 80 60 70 5.00 3.01 4.48 1.66 15.00 3.33 8.89 11.25 15.56 68.18
48 Lincoln City League 1 10,000 £475 £19.25 28,515 70 70 60 60 50 5.00 1.58 7.79 2.96 17.50 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 67.75
49 Ipswich Town League 1 10,000 £456 £30.00 45,137 60 70 70 60 60 5.00 1.64 5.00 4.69 15.00 3.89 7.78 11.25 13.33 67.59
50 Chelsea EPL 10,000 £595 £58.50 64,733 60 80 70 60 60 5.00 1.26 2.56 6.73 15.00 4.44 7.78 11.25 13.33 67.36
51 Brentford EPL 10,000 £419 £27.89 1,069 60 80 80 60 70 5.00 1.79 5.38 0.11 15.00 4.44 8.89 11.25 15.56 67.42
52 Wycombe Wanderers League 1 10,000 £400 £21.00 34,673 60 40 70 60 60 5.00 1.88 7.14 3.60 15.00 2.22 7.78 11.25 13.33 67.20
53 Swindon Town League 2 10,000 £350 £20.75 43,089 60 70 60 60 50 5.00 2.14 7.23 4.48 15.00 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 66.77
54 Leyton Orient League 2 10,000 £300 £20.66 38,680 60 70 60 60 50 5.00 2.50 7.26 4.02 15.00 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 66.70
55 Leeds United EPL 10,000 £349 £32.50 68,956 60 60 60 50 60 5.00 2.15 4.62 7.17 15.00 3.33 6.67 9.38 13.33 66.64
56 Burnley Championship 10,000 £319 £22.00 47,782 60 60 60 60 50 5.00 2.35 6.82 4.97 15.00 3.33 6.67 11.25 11.11 66.50
57 Bristol City Championship 10,000 £355 £32.00 44,421 60 60 60 60 60 5.00 2.11 4.69 4.62 15.00 3.33 6.67 11.25 13.33 66.00
58 Colchester United League 2 10,000 £150 £22.60 12,804 50 40 80 60 60 5.00 5.00 6.64 1.33 12.50 2.22 8.89 11.25 13.33 66.16
59 Walsall League 2 10,000 £330 £22.60 43,687 50 70 60 70 50 5.00 2.27 6.64 4.54 12.50 3.89 6.67 13.13 11.11 65.74
60 Milton Keynes Dons League 1 10,000 £230 £22.75 26,300 30 50 80 60 80 5.00 3.26 6.59 2.73 7.50 2.78 8.89 11.25 17.78 65.78
61 Huddersfield Town Championship 10,000 £249 £30.00 45,798 50 70 80 50 60 5.00 3.01 5.00 4.76 12.50 3.89 8.89 9.38 13.33 65.76
62 Queens Park Rangers Championship 10,000 £225 £31.00 63,411 50 70 60 60 50 5.00 3.33 4.84 6.59 12.50 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 65.18
63 Shrewsbury Town League 1 10,000 £270 £20.60 15,653 60 50 70 50 60 5.00 2.78 7.28 1.63 15.00 2.78 7.78 9.38 13.33 64.95
64 AFC Bournemouth EPL 10,000 £600 £35.00 35,369 60 60 70 60 60 5.00 1.25 4.29 3.68 15.00 3.33 7.78 11.25 13.33 64.91
65 Crawley Town League 2 10,000 £360 £19.00 14,853 50 60 70 60 60 5.00 2.08 7.89 1.54 12.50 3.33 7.78 11.25 13.33 64.72
66 Cambridge United League 1 10,000 £350 £20.00 29,826 60 50 60 60 50 5.00 2.14 7.50 3.10 15.00 2.78 6.67 11.25 11.11 64.55
67 Burton Albion League 1 10,000 £350 £21.25 20,610 50 60 70 60 60 5.00 2.14 7.06 2.14 12.50 3.33 7.78 11.25 13.33 64.54
68 Mansfield Town League 2 10,000 £357 £20.25 31,052 50 70 70 60 50 5.00 2.10 7.41 3.23 12.50 3.89 7.78 11.25 11.11 64.26
69 Port Vale League 1 10,000 £300 £20.75 40,383 50 50 50 70 50 5.00 2.50 7.23 4.20 12.50 2.78 5.56 13.13 11.11 64.00
70 Crewe Alexandra League 2 10,000 £315 £19.25 43,829 50 80 60 50 50 5.00 2.38 7.79 4.56 12.50 4.44 6.67 9.38 11.11 63.83
71 Salford City League 2 10,000 £167 £15.00 3,625 50 40 60 60 50 5.00 4.49 10.00 0.38 12.50 2.22 6.67 11.25 11.11 63.62
72 Carlisle United League 2 10,000 £362 £20.25 28,937 60 70 60 50 50 5.00 2.07 7.41 3.01 15.00 3.89 6.67 9.38 11.11 63.53
73 West Ham United EPL 10,000 £320 £52.50 8,184 60 60 60 60 70 5.00 2.34 2.86 0.85 15.00 3.33 6.67 11.25 15.56 62.86
74 Exeter City League 1 10,000 £354 £20.66 24,784 70 60 60 50 40 5.00 2.12 7.26 2.58 17.50 3.33 6.67 9.38 8.89 62.72
75 Morecambe League 1 10,000 £150 £22.25 7,996 50 50 60 60 50 5.00 5.00 6.74 0.83 12.50 2.78 6.67 11.25 11.11 61.88
76 Oxford United League 1 10,000 £329 £23.60 24,246 50 50 70 60 50 5.00 2.28 6.36 2.52 12.50 2.78 7.78 11.25 11.11 61.57
77 Hartlepool United League 2 10,000 £365 £21.00 24,666 50 70 70 50 50 5.00 2.05 7.14 2.56 12.50 3.89 7.78 9.38 11.11 61.41
78 Barrow League 2 10,000 £370 £20.00 6,416 60 70 60 50 50 5.00 2.03 7.50 0.67 15.00 3.89 6.67 9.38 11.11 61.24
79 Sutton United League 2 10,000 £329 £20.00 7,711 50 70 60 60 50 5.00 2.28 7.50 0.80 12.50 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 61.00
80 Accrington Stanley League 1 10,000 £219 £20.60 19,348 60 60 60 50 40 5.00 3.42 7.28 2.01 15.00 3.33 6.67 9.38 8.89 60.98
81 Blackpool Championship 10,000 £299 £23.00 49,145 50 70 60 50 40 5.00 2.51 6.52 5.11 12.50 3.89 6.67 9.38 8.89 60.46
82 Stevenage League 2 10,000 £320 £21.25 20,077 40 60 60 80 40 5.00 2.34 7.06 2.09 10.00 3.33 6.67 15.00 8.89 60.38
83 Fleetwood Town League 1 10,000 £240 £30.00 9,914 50 60 70 50 60 5.00 3.13 5.00 1.03 12.50 3.33 7.78 9.38 13.33 60.47
84 Bristol Rovers League 1 10,000 £350 £24.00 28,043 60 50 50 60 40 5.00 2.14 6.25 2.91 15.00 2.78 5.56 11.25 8.89 59.78
85 Peterborough United League 1 10,000 £399 £23.60 43,362 50 70 60 50 40 5.00 1.88 6.36 4.51 12.50 3.89 6.67 9.38 8.89 59.06
86 Everton EPL 10,000 £420 £43.50 58,478 50 60 50 50 50 5.00 1.79 3.45 6.08 12.50 3.33 5.56 9.38 11.11 58.19
87 Newport County League 2 10,000 £315 £35.00 5,391 50 70 60 60 50 5.00 2.38 4.29 0.56 12.50 3.89 6.67 11.25 11.11 57.64
88 Luton Town Championship 10,000 £400 £22.00 44,467 40 40 40 80 30 5.00 1.88 6.82 4.62 10.00 2.22 4.44 15.00 6.67 56.65
89 Forest Green Rovers League 1 10,000 £391 £20.75 9,310 50 30 60 50 50 5.00 1.92 7.23 0.97 12.50 1.67 6.67 9.38 11.11 56.43
90 Crystal Palace EPL 10,000 £435 £41.50 64,197 50 50 50 50 40 5.00 1.72 3.61 6.67 12.50 2.78 5.56 9.38 8.89 56.11
91 Cheltenham Town League 1 10,000 £425 £41.50 26,608 50 50 60 50 50 5.00 1.76 3.61 2.77 12.50 2.78 6.67 9.38 11.11 55.58
92 Gillingham League 2 10,000 £330 £20.00 34,614 40 40 60 40 30 5.00 2.27 7.50 3.60 10.00 2.22 6.67 7.50 6.67 51.43

Sources

Ticket Cost – Official sites of all English Premier League, Scottish Premier League and English Football League Sides
Fan votes - footballgroundmap.com