Hampden Park Stadium

derekinstandrews

09 Nov 2023

No Disabled Liaison Officer for Scotland’s National (Football) Stadium

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Date of visit: November 2023

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

Bad

I booked a ticket for Scotland v Norway in May 2023 and was assured by an exchange of emails at that time that I would be sent a blue badge car parking permit a few weeks before the game in November 2023. Having heard nothing, I sent a reminder email on 15 October 2023. On 8 November 2023 I was informed that there were no remaining blue badge spaces in either the Red or Yellow car park areas in front of Hampden’s South Stand, where my “accessible” seat was. I was being offered a place in the Purple car park area, which is behind the east terracing of the stadium and nowhere near the South Stand. Yes, there is a “drop off” area nearer the front of the South Stand, but as I had bought only one match ticket I was clearly intending to drive myself to and from the stadium. I requested (and was given) a full refund, but my sense of grievance remains. Like Murrayfield, Scotland’s national (rugby) stadium, Hampden Park seems to be prepared to sell more accessible seating than they have car parking spaces to accommodate. Having ballots or some other selection process close to the match date are no use to ticket holders unlucky not to receive a parking space as a result. I suspect (although they will never admit it) priority is given to hospitality patrons, who get the lion’s share of available car parking. In Hampden Park’s case I suggest they look again at prioritising the car parking near accessible seats. Let the more able-bodied attending hospitality (in the South Stand) use the Purple car park behind the East terracing. Other countries do this so much better. When we were in Marseille recently for the Rugby World Cup 2023 every accessible seat was also given a parking space. Marseille’s metropolitan authority also offered a free mobility van transfer from hotel to stadium and back again after the match. Finally, when I asked for the name of Hampden Park’s Disability Liaison Officer (most Scottish football clubs are expected to have one, and they do excellent work in my experiences) I was told there wasn’t one. It’s the same at Murrayfield, where disability needs are lumped in with all the other “customer service team” responsibilities. This is simply not good enough at our “national stadiums”.

Disabled Access In and Around

Average

Parking & Transport

Poor

Accessible Toilets

Average

Staff

Good