Unite for Access – accessibility at Chelsea games
From the official Chelsea FC website:
At Monday’s match against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea Football Club and the Chelsea Foundation will be marking Level Playing Field’s annual Unite for Access campaign. Aligning with the campaign, we highlight here the accessibility provisions at our stadium.
Over the years, Level Playing Field has involved hundreds of sports clubs, associations and organisations, along with thousands of supporters, in celebrating good access and inclusion throughout live sport.
There are 16 million disabled people in the UK and disabled people are the largest minority group in any population, although at times underrepresented.
Unfortunately, many disabled fans avoid watching their favourite sports team live because of accessibility problems they feel they may face in and around grounds. One of the aims of Unite for Access is to explain accessibility provisions that are in place.
At Chelsea, we make the following provisions…
Accessible tickets and memberships
For all the details on accessible season tickets, memberships and other tickets, and accessible locations at Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow, visit our Accessible Supporters FAQs
The sensory room at Stamford Bridge
Opened in 2018, the sensory room is a small facility, enabling children and adults with autism, sensory processing or other disabilities the opportunity to watch a Stamford Bridge match in a safe space. Operated on match days by the Chelsea Foundation, the room is available to anyone who may feel the environment is suitable for them; they do not have to have a diagnosed disability or medical need.
The safe space offers an area inside the stadium with a view of the pitch, which can be tailored to provide a calming environment. As well as a comfortable area to view the game, it includes a calming room featuring fibre optics, bubble tubes and other devices to help remove anxiety if anyone becomes distressed, as well as sound, light and heat levels which can be customised throughout, depending on individual needs.
For information on using the Sensory Room, contact community.enquiries@chelseafc.com
Sunflower Lanyards
We have a Sunflower Lanyard scheme to indicate hidden disabilities.
A hidden disability Sunflower Lanyard discreetly lets us know you have a hidden disability and may appreciate a little extra help when visiting Chelsea.
You can easily pick one up from the main club reception or ticket office, located behind the Shed End Stand, at the south end of the stadium, between the Tea Bar and the Megastore, or if at Kingsmeadow, from the ticket office there.
Alternatively, you can contact us at access@chelseafc.com and we will post one to your home.
BSL and audio commentary
To aid enjoyment of the matchday experience, a BSL interpreter is visible on the big screens inside the stadium for announcements and pitch-side interviews, and audio commentary headsets are available to provide a description of the on-pitch action.
For non-matchdays, our Stadium Tours offer special BSL tours throughout the year with a Chelsea tour guide and a BSL guide also. Keep a look out for dates and find out more about accessibility provision on our Stadium Tours here
We offer free audio commentary for visually impaired and blind supporters. We have a number of ultra-high frequency earpieces for supporters to use on a matchday. These can be booked before or on match day via this online application form
The earpieces are collected on a match day from the ticket office from two hours before kick-off and then returned after the final whistle, within 30 minutes, to the main reception behind the Shed End Stand, next to the Megastore.
Headphones can be provided with these units or supporters can bring their own headphones as long as they have a 3.5mm jack.
Accessible car parking, lifts and toilets
We have accessible car parking bays (not all located at the stadium) which can be booked pre-match only. These are for the use of Blue Badge holders. All spaces are subject to time restrictions due to road closures on matchdays. Accessible car parking is also available at Kingsmeadow.
There are several lifts available across the stadium to be used on a match day. These are located within all stands. Supporters who require lift access are able to collect a lift pass from the ticket office windows on match day.
We have a number of accessible toilets at Stamford Bridge which are installed with Radar Key access only. Some stewards carry Radar Keys. However, we do advise supporters to bring their own.
We also have the means for supporters to submit a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
Our Access Department is located in the ticket office, behind the Shed End Stand, between the Megastore and the Tea Bar.
Accessible Fans’ Forum
When it comes to fan representation, our Accessible Fans’ Forum is a body consisting of elected fans and senior members of the club. It meets three times a season to discuss and debate club matters.
To reflect the diverse nature of Chelsea’s support, representatives are drawn from as varied a range of disabled supporters as possible.
A supporter’s story
If you pick up a copy of the matchday programme for the Newcastle game, you can read about the match-going experience from the perspective of one of the representatives on the Accessible Fans’ Forum.
‘Chelsea Supporters Group’ can also be found on X and Facebook