Having hosted The Hornets’ home matches for over a century, Watford’s Vicarage Road Stadium is among the country’s most historic football grounds. Positioned on London’s northwestern outskirts, The Vic is the stuff of legend, whether you’re Watford through and through or calling in on an away day.
With Vicarage Road Stadium’s capacity of 22,200, you can expect an atmosphere come matchday. Watford’s recent hops between the Premier League and Championship mean there’s plenty of footballing action to catch at The Vic, no matter which tier the club finds itself in.
Planning a visit to Vicarage Road? It always pays to be prepared. Read on to uncover all the essential info for a day at Watford’s home ground, from transport connections to ticket sales, catering and more.
Watford Vicarage Road Stadium is on the very northwestern outskirts of the capital. It lies outside the boundary of Greater London in the county of Hertfordshire but is still inside the M25 orbital motorway. Whichever direction you’re coming from, it’s easy to reach The Vic via trains into London.
When travelling into London via the South Western Railway Network, your closest stations to The Vic will be Vauxhall and Clapham Junction.
Arriving at Clapham Junction, you can switch to London Overground services direct to Watford High Street station, which is a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Alternatively, Watford Junction station is also nearby at a 20-minute walk away.
To travel to The Vic via Vauxhall, join the Victoria line northbound. Switch at Green Park for the westbound Jubilee line, then again at Baker Street for Westbound Metropolitan services to Watford. Once you arrive, the stadium is about a 20-minute walk away.
If you call the capital home, South Western Railway’s services can get you there in time for kick-off. Our suburban stations in Staines, Surbiton, Wimbledon, and Putney connect to central stations like Vauxhall and London Waterloo. From here, London Underground lines can take you across the city, all the way out to Watford.
Things to do at Watford Stadium
The Hornets’ home for as long as anyone can remember, there are plenty of fixtures to keep an eye out for at Vicarage Road.
Matches
It's impossible to imagine Watford F.C. without thinking of their home ground of 100 years – Vicarage Road. Though plenty has changed, including the reconstruction of all four stands in the last 30 years, the matchday atmosphere is as legendary as ever.
Whichever league Watford land in, you can expect The Hornets to fight until the final whistle. Expect plenty of Premier League or Championship drama from one of England’s most historic clubs. That’s in addition to FA Cup and Carabao Cup action, not to mention some pre-season friendlies – often against their London-based rivals.
Watford Vicarage Road Stadium tickets
Ready to see what The Hornets are made of? Then it’s time to bag yourself some Vicarage Road tickets.
You can purchase these directly from the Watford F.C website. Tickets are released around a month before each game and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Committed fans of The Hornets often prefer season passes. You can join the waiting list for next season’s fixtures at any time.
If you’d prefer to inquire by phone, call the ticketing office on 01923 223023. You can also contact the office by email at supporters@watfordfc.com.
The Hornets shop
Whether buying for yourself or a loved one, The Hornets Shop stocks everything a Watford fan could ever want. In the north corner of the stadium at the junction of Vicarage Road and Occupation Road, browse everything from home, away, and third kits – all of which you can personalise. You can also shop for fashion accessories, homewares, sporting equipment and more.
The store is open from 9:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 11:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.
Hospitality
Want to host your next corporate or private event in style? Then Vicarage Road could be just the venue. From small, intimate gatherings to vast family get-togethers and conferences, there are great spaces for hire at Watford’s Football Stadium. Options include meeting rooms, executive boxes and a banqueting hall. Whether you want to make a matchday to remember or have your event shine on its own, you can enquire about Watford F.C events packages anytime.
Things to do near Watford Football Stadium
Located on the borders of Greater London, Watford is a town with plenty going for it. Vicarage Road Stadium is a short stroll from the central area, so plenty of things can keep you busy pre and post-match, all just a short stroll away.
In the heart of town, the Atria Watford shopping centre offers plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. There’s also great family-orientated leisure attractions like Escape Hunt, Rock Up climbing centre, Holywood Bowl bowling, Puttshack mini golf and more. Meanwhile, you can expect to find something a little more unique at Watford Market. The Palace Theatre and Colosseum provide evening entertainment long after the final whistle.
For something truly unforgettable, you could always head on over to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Just 12 minutes in a cab from the stadium, you can re-live your favourite cinematic experiences, exploring original sets from films such as the Harry Potter franchise.
Tips for the day
- Many kiosks at the stadium will not accept cash
- Turnstiles open 90 minutes before kick-off, and it’s recommended you arrive with at least 45 minutes to go
- It’s best not to bring bags, though a left luggage facility is available for any more oversized items
Food and drinks
No matchday is complete without some delicious food and drink. You’ll find almost 20 different kiosks, each serving their own take on a football ground classic.
Regarding food, choose from favourites like hot dogs, pies, sub rolls, burgers and even mouth-watering curries. Pick draught beers, wine, hot drinks and soft drinks to wash it down.
Places to stay near Vicarage Road Stadium
If you’ve travelled far to see The Hornets in action, you might want to stay the night. Thankfully, there are accommodation options nearby to suit all tastes and budgets.
For a cheap option, try Premier Inn Watford Central and Travelodge Watford Central. The large rooms at OYO Livin’ Serviced Apartments are great for families, while Hutton Park Hotel is a top pick if you’d like a little more luxury.
Watford Stadium accessibility
There’s a good range of accessibility provisions at Vicarage Road Stadium. These include over 100 wheelchair spaces among the stands and a similar number with easy access. 21 Soccer Sight headsets provide match commentary to visually impaired visitors, while assistance dogs are always welcome.
For more information, check Watford’s accessibility page.
