Overview

I've wanted to see a game at Hampden for years now. And although I knew that the wheelchair facilities were excellent, I'd always put it off. Because Hampden on match day is a pain to get to/from as a wheelchair using supporter: to avoid the crowds, you have to arrive 1 hour before kick-off, and after the final whistle, you have to wait for another hour before an accessible taxi can get anywhere near the stadium (but there is a solution to this last bit). Plus, I'm not great with crowds of moving people now. So the idea of mingling with 50,000 other fans, never really appealed. But now, after finally biting the bullet - I'll be a regular again. This review is specific to the elevated wheelchair spaces in the North Stand. Other wheelchair spaces are available too - but these are all mainly at pitch level (easier to access, but the view is limited at ground level).

Transport & Parking

Accessible parking is available, but this is located near the entrance to the South Stand. There's a problem with this though: There are not enough spaces for all wheelchair users. For the spaces that are available, it's "first come, first served". To reserve a space, you need to contact Hampden AFTER you have bought your ticket/s.

Access

The good news: NO QUEUEING! First things first though. Arrive at least ONE FULL HOUR before kick-off. A lift will eventually take you up to the viewing level. This lift is located by an EXIT though. So first, and although you are advised to go to a certain turnstile, just look for a steward near that turnstile instead (they are everywhere outside the ground before kick-off). The steward will check your ticket/s, then will bang on the large metal exit door - which will tell their colleagues, who will be on the other side of the door, that access is required, and that they should open the door for you. Once you have passed this door, the stewards inside will direct you to the lift. The lift is big enough for you/your wheelchair and at least one other person (possibly more). I didn't have to wait here either though. It was straight in, and up. When you reach the viewing level, yet more stewards (they are everywhere, and are SO helpful) will escort you to the wheelchair area. This area is cordoned off, and you simply roll forwards into your allocated space. There is one seat BESIDE each wheelchair space for a companion (and more good news here - the companion ticket is free). Best view in the house! Not quite at the centre-line, but not too far off (maybe mid-half?). The other supporters are all below you. So even when they stand up, they only come up as far as your feet. So you will have ZERO obstructions.

Toilets

There are designated wheelchair accessible toilets. The doors are very heavy though. But the ever-present stewards, who ensure that only wheelchair-using supporters access these toilets in the first place, will fully open the door for you (same afterwards - just push the door open part of the way, and a steward will be there to open the door fully). Grab rails, emergency cord, and sink.

Staff

As said above, the stewards are everywhere. And they are all so helpful.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE: Wait near your wheelchair space/seat until the bulk of the crowd has exited (about 15-20 minutes). Then make your way back to the lift. Then it's down and straight out onto Somerville Drive. You have two options here: Either drive back to central Glasgow, or wait another hour until an accessible taxi can then get to the stadium. Well, there's actually a third option (and it's what I definitely recommend - if it's dry that is). But it means a 4-mile walk for your companion, As you exit the stadium onto Somerville Drive, turn LEFT as you exit, and head to the corner with Cathcart Road. And then just roll back to the city centre - along Cathcart Road. It's a 4-mile journey though - so ensure you have enough battery power for this, plus bank on another 1-2 miles as you meander around central Glasgow (for powerchair users - manual wheelchair users will have no problem, and, apart from a hill up at the start, Cathcart Road is mostly a gentle downward slope/level route back to Glasgow city centre). Cathcart Road eventually bring you out near the Clyde at St.Enoch's - and it's easy to reach Glasgow Central (or Glasgow Queen Street) Train Stations from there. All junctions/road crossings along Cathcart Road have dropped kerbs (but my advice would be to cross over to the lefthand pavement as soon as you can - as this will avoid bumping up and down kerbs just before the railway bridge at the central Glasgow end). And it's just one long and winding road back along Cathcart Road - so you shouldn't get lost.