Photos by Gary Foxall, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
MKM Stadium Walton St. Hull, England HU3 6HU United Kingdom
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 25,404
Hear the Tigers Roar MKM Stadium
The MKM, formerly KCOM, Stadium was opened in 2002 (also known as the Hull City Stadium due to UEFA sponsorship regulations) and is home to both Hull City Football Club and Hull Rugby League Club. The stadium has an all-seated capacity of 25,404 and stands out from other new builds in Britain with its sloping and curving roof. The stadium was known as KC Stadium from its opening until 2016 and was built at a cost of approximately £44 million.
The stadium stands in a parkland setting and can be seen from a distance as you approach the area. All stands are single-tiered except the West Stand which is two-tiered. This is the main stand housing the executive boxes, changing rooms, and offices. The stadium is complete with undersoil heating and is also a venue to pop concerts. The complex is a good example of where football and rugby can live together and the venue has become an excellent addition to the city.
Food & Beverage 2
Hot Dogs and burgers are priced at £3.20, pies at £3, and hot and cold drinks at £2 are a selection of items available within the stadium. Meal deals are available for £6. The stadium concourse is well-populated with food outlets.
Atmosphere 3
The design of the stadium ensures that it retains its atmosphere and this remains the case when the stadium is not full which tends to be the case now that the club is back in the Championship League.
Neighborhood 3
Some years back a visit to Hull was not one to be looked forward to, however, over the last decade the city has undergone regeneration and a trip to the KCOM Stadium can easily be turned into a day out. The city center offers a wide range of shops with plenty of restaurants and bars in the vicinity. Hull’s most famous landmark is the Humber suspension Bridge opened in 1981 and is a tourist attraction in its own right. The city also offers a range of maritime museums that are also worth visiting when in the area. Some of North Yorkshire's adjoining seaside towns such as Bridlington are also worth visiting when the English weather allows.
The Brickmakers Public House opposite the stadium is a regular haunt for both home and away supporters. The Weatherspoons in the city center offers both affordable meals and real ale.
Fans 3
Hull City regularly attracts crowds in the region of 15,000 and for the short time the club was in the Premiership most games were sold out. The club has hardcore support and even when languishing in the lower divisions of English league football for many years, Hull was well supported. The club has decent away support and the team’s gold and black jerseys are prominent within the city and surrounding areas. Local rivals are Leeds United, Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United, and Doncaster Rovers.
Access 3
The stadium is reached by car by taking the M62 and then the A63 to Hull City Centre. The stadium is less than a mile from the city and plenty of car parking is available for a reasonable price. Jubilee House opposite the large car park is good value for £5 and is a two-minute walk through the park to the stadium. There is also a park-and-ride scheme in operation on a match day. Traffic leaving the ground after a game can sometimes be slow, but should not take any longer than half an hour. The nearest railway station is Hull Paragon in the center and this is about a twenty-minute OAP walk.
Return on Investment 3
On average, normal match day prices are £24 and £26 with reductions for children and OAP and are the norm for this level of the English game. The facilities available make this a good value compared to some other clubs in the league.
Extras 3
Stadium tours are available on Mondays and Wednesdays priced at £5 and these last about one hour. The club has a souvenir shop at the stadium and also one in the City Centre selling the normal range of merchandise. Betting shops are also available inside the stadium and a match day program costing £3 is available for each home game.