Detail

Leicester City’s decision to relocate to a new stadium at the turn of the millennium was an indirect result of the Taylor Report which was published in 1990 after the tragic events of Hillsborough. The club’s previous ground, Filbert Street, had been home to the club since 1891 but was expensive to redevelop further beyond conversion to all-seating in 1994. Following the lead set by Midlands rivals Stoke City and Derby County who successfully moved to newly constructed grounds, the club unveiled plans for a 32,000 capacity stadium at Freeman’s Wharf on the 2nd November 2000. Construction work began a year later, and it was completed in time for the 2002-2003 season with pre-season friendlies held against Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. At the time the move to the “Walkers Stadium” appeared to be a risky decision for the club having just been relegated from the Premier League. The construction plunged the club into £30 million pounds worth of debt, and financial concerns were exacerbated by the collapse of ITV Digital who had purchased the broadcast rights to the Football League. The company who built the “Crisp Bowl”, Birse Construction, reportedly lost a lot money from the project, and as a result were forced to withdraw from future stadium constructions, abandoning a project they were working on at the time with Coventry City. Today, the circumstances surrounding the Foxes are much more positive, with the club acquired by Billionaire Thai Vichai Raksriaksorn in 2010. Since the 2011/2012 season, the ground has been known as The King Power Stadium, who are one of the owner’s many companies.

King Power Stadium is located approximately 1.4 miles south-west of Leicester Railway station with the resulting walk likely to take anywhere between 20-25 minutes.

The nearest bus stops to the stadium appear to be on Aylestone Road (A426) with the one outside Freemen’s Common probably your best bet.

Leicester’s stadium is served by several bus routes including the 47 and the 47a plus the 85, 86 and 87.