BBL Venue Guide
This is an ongoing project. Photos and further information would be gratefully received.


Bristol Flyers

WISE Basketball Arena

SGS College, New Road, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8LP

Capacity: 750

Tickets: Purchase online but do so well in advance because of the low capacity - tickets.bristol-sport.co.uk/en-GB/categories/basketball

Where to sit: Unreserved. Away fans normally sit central, behind the away bench (first one as you come in the door to the court).

Food and drink: Normally have a fast food van outside of the venue and a hotdog stand with snacks and soft drinks at centre court. Also a small "bar" on the far side and up on the balcony.

Merchandise: Merchandise stand immediately to your left as you walk through the doors to the court

Entertainment: "Chuck a duck" competition at half-time - rent a rubber duck for £1 and throw it at the target in the centre of the court, closest to the bullseye wins a prize pack. Also usually a shooting contest between sponsors/kids birthday party etc. On the odd occasion have something a bit different but this is sporadic.

Alcohol: Far end of the court, just past the home team bench. Various cider, beer and wine. Another small bar upstairs in the standing area, a third inside hospitality (if you've bought a hospitality ticket of course).

Nearby: There is a chip shop, pub, Asda, Sainsbury's, McDonalds, Subway, Nandos all within ten minutes walk.

Public transport: 73 bus from the City Centre will drop you off right outside Abbeywood Community School which is next door to SGS WISE. Bristol Parkway Train Station is also less than a ten minute walk away.

Parking: Parking on-site is chargeable, there is a pay station outside. On gamedays though, the Aviva Centre carpark is open to basketball fans through a partnership with the club. Probably a five minute or so walk away.




Cheshire Phoenix

Cheshire Oaks Arena

Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port CH65 9JN

Capacity: 1400, 2 Stands running the length of the court on either side

Tickets: Buy in advance through Tickets.com Slightly more expensive on the door-Card payments now available at the game.

Where to sit: Unreserved seating, benches are on the side accessed by the door furthest away from the main Arena entrance. Away supporters always sit behind away team bench never a problem as no set seating.

Food and drink: Hot dogs, sandwiches tea coffee etc at reasonable prices in the main plaza area and also inside the arena area.

Merchandise: £2 programme, Phoenix merchandise on sale in the arena

Entertainment: Usual chuck a duck at 3/4 time, halftime shootouts competitions etc

Alcohol: No alcohol on sale inside the arena, short walk to the coliseum for a Hungry Horse pub.

Nearby: Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village with over 140 well-known brands including Levi, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Bose and many more within walking distance Also next to the Outlet village is The Coliseum shopping park with major brands like Debenhams Boots and food outlets like Burger King Pizza Hut etc, As well as The Coliseum Leisure Park with Cinema, Bowling, Night club (now closed down) and eateries such as Chiquito’s Frankie & Benny’s Nando’s and more All of the above within 5 minutes’ walk of the Sports Village

Public transport: Public transport not brilliant. Train station 25 minute walk away, Can get train from Chester (1 change) or from Liverpool (40 minute journey). Buses from Chester/ Liverpool/ Birkenhead to Outlet then 5/10 mins walk but not too often especially Sunday evening post match.

Parking: Free Large car park available at the Arena but gets very busy and full on game night, come early for a space but tons of free space 5 mins across the road behind the Coliseum cinema.




Glasgow Rocks

Emirates Arena

1000 London Road, Glasgow, G40 3HG

Capacity: Main arena: 3000(ish) in lower tier, 3500(ish) in upper tier (rarely open). Seating is in stands along the sides of the court. There is also courtside seating available. Small arena: 1500(ish). Seating is in stands along the sides of the court with additional small corner blocks.

Tickets: In advance from tickets.com or www.glasgowrocks.co.uk online or by phone: 0141 556 3231. Tickets are available, at a slightly dearer price, on the day by cash or card. Centre blocks in the main arena are slightly dearer.

Where to sit: Main arena: season ticket holders generally sit in GG and EE. Away fans are usually allocated seats behind their bench in KK. Small arena: season ticket holders generally sit in MM and EE (Benchside). Away fans are usually allocated tickets in a corner block (AA)

Food and drink: Hot dogs, nachos, pies, crisps, sweets available from concessions stands in the main concourse - often long queues, usual big venue rip-off prices and poor service.

Merchandise: £3 Programme. A good range of replicas and Rocks branded gear available on the main concourse - straight on the left as you walk in.

Entertainment: The Scottish Rockettes pro dance team. Half time has "jump to it" basketball competitions between local schools.

Alcohol: Bottled beer, cider, wine. Prices are £3.50 upwards. Selection isn't great.

Nearby: Celtic Park is right across the road. The Forge retail park and shopping centre is about half a mile up the road. There are a few food outlets in the Forge. The area around the arena isn't the best in terms of facilities. I'd strongly recommend dining/drinking in the city centre before travelling to the arena. Do NOT use the pubs surrounding the arena.

Public transport: TBC

Parking: Parking at the arena is plentiful and free. There are often large queues of traffic when leaving the arena as the traffic lights are poorly timed and situated.




Leicester Riders

Morningside Arena

31 Charter St, Leicester LE1 3UD

Capacity: 2,400

Tickets:

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London Lions

Copper Box Arena

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 3HB

Capacity: 2,040 in the lower tier. Extra 3,254 upper tier, not usually open for Lions games. Four stands, but some closed on occasion.

Tickets: Buy in advance through Ticketmaster. Slightly more expensive on the door - cash only, no card facilities. More expensive for side view than the ends behind the nets. Deals are often available via Groupon etc.

Where to sit: Season ticket holders sit in block 104 on the half-way line. Away fans usually choose block 103 behind the away team bench. Tickets for the ends behind the nets are a little cheaper than side view.

Food and drink: Hot dogs, nachos, crisps, sweets available from concessions stands on either side - often long queues, usual big venue rip-off prices and poor service.

Merchandise: £4 programme. Lions and NBA merchandise on sale on the right as you enter (behind blocks 101 and 114).

Entertainment: Usually a singer and/or dance troupe. National anthem before the match, often performed live. New cheerleaders for 2015/16. Competitions such as the half-way line shot are often devised seemingly on the spot by whoever is the day's MC (which this season looks like being Vince Macaulay).

Alcohol: Bottled beer, cider, wine. Draught Carlsberg £4.50 when available.

Nearby: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is just alongside. Nice park facilities and play areas, the now football stadium, and riverside. Westfield shopping centre is half a mile's walk. Contains many restaurants and fast food chains. US burger restaurant Shake Shack is a new addition that has been promoting with London Lions. Two pubs in the Westfield: Tap East bar on the ground floor for beer enthusiasts and The Cow on 'The Street', both have inside and outside seating. Number 90 Bar, Crate Brewery and Pizzeria, and Howling Hops brewery are all just behind the Copper Box Arena over the river. Stratford town centre is about a mile's walk.

Public transport: Stratford International - DLR line in Tube zone 3, National Rail, and bus station. No international routes served.

Parking: According to the website: 'A small car park is available for users of the Copper Box Arena. Blue Badge holder spaces are available for free. Copper Box visitors can also use the multi storey car park situated in the north of the Park at Here East.'


Manchester Giants

George H Carnall Sports Centre

Kingsway Park, Urmston, Manchester M41 7FJ

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Newcastle Eagles

Eagles Community Arena

Scotswood Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7AF

Capacity: 2,800 purpose built basketball arena

Tickets: from club website - discount usually obtained with code "ESH" (sponsor's name). East and West stands more costly as side view, but west has corporate seats and east has most season ticket holders behind the benches

Where to sit: north or south for value, east for atmosphere. Away fans usually behind away bench in south east corner

Food and drink: cafe in foyer, bar upstairs and a few mobile hot dog/drink stands hiding IRF's brick in the foyer

Merchandise: shop next to cafe in foyer

Entertainment: Egals cheerleaders/ often schools match at half time/ kit dash at quarter time/chuck a duck at three quarter time.

Alcohol: Can be bought in the venue.

Nearby: residential area with 15min brisk walk to Newcastle Central station and city centre

Public transport: plenty of buses pass the ECA along Scotswood Road but Metro no use at all

Parking: I think on site parking is £5 but plenty of streets nearby, especially in industrial/ commercial area across Scotswood Road with no residents to annoy



Plymouth Raiders

Plymouth Pavillions

Millbay Road, Plymouth, PL1 3LF

Capacity: 1400

Tickets: tickets available via the club website

Where to sit: away fans usually sit behind the team bench

Food and drink: available at the venue

Merchandise: club shop at every home game inside the arena

Entertainment: Foxy, Baby Foxy, Mrs Foxy (occasionally) and the best cheerleaders in the BBL (Raiders own words although I am inclined to agree!). Half time shoot out for children

Alcohol: available

Nearby: based in Plymouth City Centre there are lots of restaurants and bars available

Public transport: Aim for Plymouth City Centre and you won't be far away

Parking: There is a pay & display car park next to the venue


Sheffield Sharks

Ponds Forge Sports Centre

Capacity: 1000

Tickets: Now on Eventbrite. Can be bought through the club website or from the desk on game night.

Where to sit: Seating is down one side of the court at Ponds Forge, full length.

Food & Drink: There is a cafe inside Ponds Forge or a concession stand at the top of the stairs in the venue normally.

Merchandise: On sale near the ticket desk.

Entertainment: Dancedaze local street dance organisation for the last few seasons. Jumbo screen with dance cam etc as well now.

Alcohol: Can be bought in the venue.

Nearby: You are right in the city centre recommend the Sheffield Tap (attached to the railway station) if you like real beer. Centertainment Cente, Meadowhall Retail park, Motorpoint Arena, Ice Sheffield and City Centre.

Public Transport: Walking distance of railway station and bus terminus.

Parking: Limited parking in Ponds Forge itself (you might get lucky or you might not). There is also a Q Park on Castlegate just round the corner from Ponds Forge (scan your ticket in the venue for a discount).

Other Food and Drink: Nando's, Harvesters, Frankie & bennies etc available at the Centertainment centre, with timed parking. At Meadowhall there is the Oasis food area; Harvester, Nando, Wetherspoons, KFC, Pizza hut etc plus stores such as Debenhams, M&S etc. There is also food available at Table table (Arena Square), KFC, Mc Donalds and Pizza hut on Attercliffe Road near the retail park. If you wish there are hotels; Premier Inn, Ibis and Travel lodge well within distance of the EIS.


Surrey Scorchers

Surrey Sports Park

Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AD

Capacity: 1000 seats, including standard, courtside premium and hospitality boxes.

Tickets: tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.surreyscorchers.co.uk. Pre-sale tickets are cheaper than buying on the door and saves queuing on busy game nights.

Where to sit: there is no home and away allocation, though away fans to tend to sit in the top left of the arena in block B.

Food and drink: hot dogs, crisps, chocolate and biscuits are available from the concession stands within the arena. The Bench Sports Bar serves hot and cold food and drink (pub style) including beer, wine and spirits. There is also an on-site Starbucks.

Merchandise: Replica vests, t-shirts, balls and match programmes are all available from the venue on game nights.

Entertainment: The Hotshots entertain the crowds with their cheerleading routines during breaks and time-outs, while the kids can get involved in mini games and the popular half-time shootout competition!

Alcohol: beer, wine, cider and spirits are all available from The Bench Sports Bar, which you can take to your seat in the arena.

Nearby: Surrey Sports Park is located about a 5 drive from the centre of Guildford, where you will find a range of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants.

Public transport: South West Trains run a reliable and regular service direct from London Waterloo every 30 mins during peak times. Guildford Station is about a 5 minute taxi ride from Surrey Sports Park (roughly £5-10 each way) and a number of buses operate from the town centre to the venue.

Parking: on-site parking is free but guests are advised to arrive early to guarantee a space on game nights.


Worcester Wolves

University Arena

Hylton Road,Worcester,WR2 5JN

M5 and exit at either junction 6 or 7 and follow signs to the Arena

Capacity: 2000

Tickets: Cheaper to buy online but can be bought on the door on game night

Where to sit: Season ticket holders have their names on the seats but, other than that, you can sit anywhere

Food and drink: hot dogs nachos, sweets, crisps, soft drinks, tea and coffee

Merchandise: Program £2, Worcester Wolves merchandise, Raffle tickets £1

Entertainment: Wolfie the mascot, Wolverine cheerleaders, HT shoot out, lucky program shoot out

Alcohol: Available inside the arena

Nearby: McDonalds,Riverside walk,park,pubs

Parking: Arena parking £3. You can also park on Homebase/Mcdonalds....not sure how much it is