travel &
accessibility

MATCH DAY
TRAVEL
LOCATION
We share facilities with our friends from SALE FC at the Heywood Road ground in Sale, Greater Manchester M33 3WB. The ground is situated 6 miles from central Manchester, and 11 miles from Swinton town centre. There is a public bar on the ground.
BY CAR
Easy access from the M60 motorway (from Swinton join the M60 at Worsley roundabout). Leave the M60 at the Stretford and Sale exit, signposted A56 Sale and Altrincham. Turn right onto the A56, and after 1.5 miles turn left onto A6144 Marsland Road. Continue in a straight line until you see Brooklands metro station, and Heywood Road is another 500 yards further on to the right.
NOTE: please do not proceed down Heywood Road itself without pre-confirmed car park access.
There is adequate street parking in the vicinity of the ground, including free parking at two local pubs – The Little B (on Marsland Road, back-to-back with the ground), and also at the Brooklands Tap (less than 5 minutes walk from he ground on Hope Street). The Little B serves food on match days, but booking is advised. However, please enter the pub in order to register your car.
CAR PARKING:
– Due to extremely limited car parking at the ground, please DO NOT drive down Heywood Road unless you have specifically been informed by the club that your name has been added to the car park guest list.
- Sunday Games have adequate street parking surrounding the ground, as resident-only restrictions don’t apply.
– Executive Season Ticket holders, Shirt Sponsors & Match Day Sponsors, may park onsite (Heywood Road entrance).
– Onsite parking is also available for Corporate Dining Guests (but MUST be pre-booked via info@swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk (at least 72 hours before kick-off).
– All parking within the stadium grounds is at the driver’s own risk. Neither Swinton Lions nor Sale RFC accept any liability for any loss or damage to vehicles or their contents (there are also signs on site to this effect). This includes ball damage.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Blue Badge disabled parking MUST BE PRE-BOOKED 72 hours before kick-off by emailing info@swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk
Please early arrival at the ground, as access cannot be guaranteed close to kick-off time.
Upon arrival, simply give your name to the steward at the head of Heywood Road (at the junction with Marsland Road) & you will directed to the scoreboard end car park. This is wheelchair friendly & just a short distance from the main turnstile.
Note that whilst we guarantee to make available an appropriate number of designated disabled parking bays, due to our limited capacity we cannot guarantee onsite parking for ANY match attendee. However, you will be informed at the point of booking whether or not parking space is still available.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The best option is the Metrolink on the Manchester to Altrincham line.
To access the Metrolink system from Swinton, the quickest method is to take the V1 or V2 bus along the East Lancashire Road (A580) into Manchester – alighting at St Peter’s Square Metro Station. Catch any tram with the destination shown as Altrincham, alighting at Brooklands Station. Exit the station and walk up the steps, then turn right along Marsland Road. Heywood Road is 500 yards up on the right hand side.
EXECUTIVE BAR ACCESS
Executive Bar access wristband is available from our gate staff on the main gate for:
- All corporate hospitality guests & visiting dignitaries
- Disabled supporters with 1 carer
- Any Swinton supporter who has successfully applied for a 2025 Executive Bar pass (a member of at least one of the following a. PrideBuilder b. Supporters’ Trust c. 19 Club d. Player Sponsor.)
To obtain your Executive bar pass email info@swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk stating which of the above supporter initiatives you are a member. Then collect a wristband on match day. Please note that you must pre-apply, it cannot be arranged on a match day. One member, one pass.
ALL match goers are welcome to use the Executive Bar AFTER the final hooter, and hear the post-match interview with our Head Coach, as well as see the man-of-the-match award.
PLEASE NOTE – Strictly no glass containers must be taken onto the balcony; please decant into a plastic cup, available at the bar.
ACCESSIBLE SEATING & FACILITIES
Disabled spectators have three options for viewing the game, all of which are included within the general turnstile admission fee and none have obstructed views:
- RECOMMENDED: The balcony above the players’ entrance, which is suitable for wheelchair users & carers, and can be accessed via a lift (partially under cover).
- The front rows of the main stand (under cover), which are suitable for ambulant supporters.
- The concrete concourse for wheelchair users. However, please note that the surface in front of the Birtles covered terrace on the far side of the pitch is uneven in places and not easily accessible.
Refreshments can be obtained in the downstairs bar, which has easy wheelchair access.
The Corporate area on the first floor of the main block can be accessed via a wheelchair friendly lift. Corporate packages may be purchased in advance – contact the club for further information.
There are disabled toilets in both the downstairs bar & upstairs corporate area.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
Please approach any Swinton Lions Steward should you require any assistance or advice whatsoever on match days; or contact the club in advance with any enquiries.
DISABLED SUPPORTERS LIAISON OFFICER
Enquiries : Steve Wild, CEO : steve.wild@swintonlionsrlfc.co.uk
GROUND REGULATIONS
Persons entering the ground may only do so providing they accept the following ground regulations:
- All matches are played in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Rugby Football League and, in general, the right of admission is reserved by the club. Persons have no automatic right of entry, regardless as to whether a valid ticket is held.
- We may consider evidence of previous unacceptable onsite behaviour, or online abuse, either towards the club itself or club representatives, as legitimate grounds for the refusal of admission to the ground.
- Play cannot be guaranteed to take place on a particular day or at a particular time and the club reserves the right to change its advertised fixtures without prior notice and without liability.
- Spectators must not make abusive remarks or indulge in swearing or offensive conduct.
- Racist, homophobic or sectarian chanting, the distribution of racist, homophobic or sectarian literature and all other forms of racist, homophobic or sectarian behaviour are not acceptable, and are not permitted.
- Glass bottles or other glass containers are not permitted on the ground.
- Alcohol, flares or offensive weapons may not be brought into the ground. Spectators suspected of attempting to take alcohol or flares into the ground or concealing anything that could be used as an offensive weapon will be the subject of a search by the Clubs Stewards. Anyone refusing to be searched or refusing to allow the Stewards to check bags will be refused admission to the ground.
- Spectators, regardless of age, must not sit on the fence surrounding the playing area.
- Flags or banners must not be placed so that they cover advertising hoardings.
- Smoking is not permitted in the main stand.
- Dogs (excluding guidance dogs) are not permitted in the ground.
- Unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter the field of play unless in an emergency and if directed to do so by stewards.
- Flags and musical instruments, including drums, are not permitted in the Richard Trickey Stand.
- Standing is not permitted in the Richard Trickey (Main) Stand.
- Cameras with lenses 35mm or over, or other audio visual equipment (e.g. video cameras), are not permitted unless authorised by Swinton Lions or by holding the appropriate media credential.
- Spectators failing to comply with these regulations will, in the first instance, be advised by a steward. If the misconduct continues, the Steward will issue a formal warning. If the course of action is ignored, the offender will be asked to leave the ground. A Steward will obtain the offenders details and report the matter to the Ground Safety Officer. The matter will be included in the Ground Safety Officers Post Match report. The offender may be suspended from any further games at Heywood Road. Details may also be passed on to the RFL and other clubs.
TACKLE IT
Increasing inclusion and diversity whilst tackling all forms of discrimination, including racism, is key to the growth and success of Rugby League. The TACKLE IT action plan is sport-wide and sets out specific measures which the sport is taking together to deliver real change.
We at Swinton Lions are playing our part in delivering the TACKLE IT commitments to make a positive, lasting difference. Rugby League stands in solidarity with players, coaches, match officials, fans, volunteers, staff, and supporters in the struggle against racism and discrimination in sport and in society. In addition, a RESPECT banner will hang from the balcony over the players’ entrance to serve as a RESPECT reminder throughout the season.
