Ashton Gate Stadium Facts for Kids

Bristol City F.C. ground at Ashton Gate during the daytime.

Ashton Gate Stadium is a well-known sports ground in Bristol, England. It is the home stadium for two major sports teams: Bristol City F.C., a professional football club, and the Bristol Bears, a professional rugby union team. The stadium can hold a large crowd of 27,000 people, making it a big venue for sports and other events.

The stadium has a long history, first opening way back in 1887. Over the years, it has been updated and improved many times. A major renovation project finished in 2014, which significantly increased the number of seats by 6,000, making it a much bigger and more modern place for fans to enjoy games.

History of Ashton Gate
- Modern Upgrades and Features
What Happens at Ashton Gate?
- Sports Events
- Concerts and Other Events
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History of Ashton Gate

Ashton Gate Stadium has been a key part of Bristol's sports scene for over a century. It first opened its doors in 1887, originally as the home ground for Bedminster F.C. Later, in 1904, Bristol City F.C. moved in and made it their permanent home. The stadium has seen many exciting matches and events over its long history.

Modern Upgrades and Features

The biggest changes to Ashton Gate happened between 2014 and 2016. This major project completely transformed the stadium. Old stands were replaced with new, modern ones, offering better views and facilities for fans. The aim was to create a top-class venue that could host not only football and rugby but also other big events.

New Stands: The Wedlock Stand, Dolman Stand, and Lansdown Stand were all rebuilt or significantly improved.
Increased Capacity: The number of seats grew from around 21,000 to 27,000.
Modern Facilities: New changing rooms, media areas, hospitality suites, and concourses were added. These improvements made the stadium a much more comfortable and enjoyable place for everyone.

What Happens at Ashton Gate?

While Ashton Gate is best known as the home of Bristol City football and Bristol Bears rugby, it's also a versatile venue that hosts many other exciting events throughout the year.

Sports Events

Football: Bristol City F.C. plays its home matches here in the English Football League.
Rugby Union: The Bristol Bears compete in the top-tier Premiership Rugby league at Ashton Gate.
Other Sports: The stadium has also hosted international rugby matches and even American football games.

Concerts and Other Events

Ashton Gate is a popular spot for big concerts, attracting famous music artists from around the world. It also hosts conferences, exhibitions, and other community events, making it a central hub for entertainment in Bristol.