UK Football Clubs With Sensory Rooms

Boy wearing headphones looking out of the window.

If you have got a child, friend or family member with special educational needs, the footballing environment can be a challenging one. The loud noises and a large number of people can create an overwhelming experience, especially for children on the Autism spectrum.  So it’s a good job that there are lots of top UK Football Clubs With Sensory Rooms that offer disabled football fans a calm environment to watch the match.

In this article, we will pick out the best UK Football Clubs With Sensory Rooms as well as sensory experiences provided by football clubs that kids can enjoy at home.

What are sensory rooms and who uses them?

Children with SEN (special educational needs) can become overwhelmed and overstimulated in busy environments. Sensory rooms are an excellent resource used by schools and in homes for children who are hypersensitive to sensory information. These rooms are used to soothe children with autism, developmental delays, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. 

The sensory room helps children improve their visual, auditory and tactile processing, as well as fine and gross motor skills while. These rooms also provide a sense of calm and comfort. Children’s focus generally improves and they learn how to self-regulate their behaviours.

All in all, sensory rooms provide a comfortable environment and a calm space for children.

Why are sensory rooms at football matches important?

Matchday experiences are magical for any child or adult! The rush of adrenaline when your favourite player edges his way towards the goal, the delicious food and hot drinks served at the stalls, and the goose-bump-provoking chants that swirl around the stadium. They don’t call it the beautiful game for nothing! So why would any passionate football fan, whatever their age or ability, want to miss out on these wonderful memories?

Sensory rooms at football stadiums allow kids to experience all the highs and lows of a football match in a calming environment. They will still hear the chants, watch the game unfold, and dress up in their football shirts and scarves.

It’s also not just for the kids but the parents too. If you’ve always wanted to take your child with you to watch your team play but you thought you would be able to because of their sensory disabilities, it can be a very upsetting thing. As a parent, you want to give your child every opportunity to make happy memories and experience all the things you love as well. Sensory rooms at football grounds have enabled families to create experiences that the whole family can enjoy.

Sunderland AFC Sensory Room

Stadium of light
Peter and Kate Shippey innovated the concept of Sensory Viewing Rooms in sporting stadia, after being inspired by their son, Nathan, who wanted to watch live football.

The sensory room was created in 2015 and since then the room has become so popular a second sensory room has been created! Each of the rooms is filled with suitable equipment for those with sensory disabilities including a communication board.

Tickets for the Sunderland AFC Sensory Room are available to purchase on a game-by-game basis directly from the Ticket Office.

Shape Location Get directions

Stadium of Light, Millenium Way, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland SR5 1SU

Pricing

Tickets are priced £7.50 for under 16's and £20 for adult. The personal assistant receives a ticket free of charge to accompany the supporter.

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Middlesbrough FC Sensory Room

Tactile sensory equipment
Opened in 2017, Middlesbrough FC’s sensory room streams the match from a big screen. …

Middlesborough FC offers an excellent sensory room with fully trained staff who have a background in education and working with children with learning difficulties. The Matchday Room has sensory equipment funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund and many other big brands! There are also ear defenders available and parents have the option to view the room before matchday.

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Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough TS3 6RS

Pricing

heck the availability of tickets, please contact Yvonne Ferguson at yvonne.ferguson@mfc.co.uk or on 01642 757648.

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Rangers FC Sensory Room

Ranger FC
Check out Broxi’s Den at Rangers FC in the Ibrox stadium. Based in the Broomloan Stand Corner of the stadium, this sensory room is specially designed for children with autism and sensory difficulties. The room helps kids escape the loud and overwhelming football crowds.

The room can accommodate up to 8 kids and their carers and has gone on to win an autism-friendly award!

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150 Edmiston Dr, Glasgow G51 2XD

Pricing

Please enquire for prices.

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Watford FC Sensory Room

Watford stadium
This award-winning sensory room at Watford Football Club has everything your little one will love from mascot toys, bright yellow bean bags and the perfect viewing platform for the best views of the match. The state-of-the-art calming area has positively impacted autistic children who would otherwise have struggled to cope in the noisy environment of a football stadium.
Shape Location Get directions

Vicarage Rd, Watford WD18 0ER

Pricing

Please enquire online for prices.

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West Bromwich Albion FC Sensory Room

WBA stadium
Opened in December 2022, the West Bromwich Albion football club sensory room is designed as a safe space, particularly for fans with autism. The sensory room has so many wonderful features including actual stadium seating! The Sensory Room also has a wide range of interactive stimuli, including lights, colours, soft play, special flooring, toys and even the option for live crowd noise to be played through speakers.
Shape Location Get directions

West Bromwich Albion Football Club, The Hawthorns, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B71 4LF

Pricing

Please enquire online for tickets.

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Aston Villa FC Sensory Room

Aston Villa FC stadium
Two hospitality have been transformed into well-equipped sensory rooms for both adults and children. The rooms have been transformed so that everyone can enjoy their favourite game stress-free – both children and their parents. The rooms provide a quiet space for up to eight people at a time.
Shape Location Get directions

Trinity Rd, Birmingham B6 6HE

Pricing

Please contact the club for prices.

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Chelsea FC Sensory Room

Chelsea fans waving flags
Chelsea fans of all abilities can enjoy the beautiful game at Stamford Bridge by booking tickets to watch the match in the sensory room. Chelsea Football Club offers fans with autism, anxiety and sensory disabilities a safe space to watch the match.

There are also exciting activities on offer for kids and adults with disabilities. Train like your football idols in weekly pan-disability football sessions in Surrey and Kingston! There is also community provision for people with an amputation or cerebral palsy, as well as national teams for these disabilities in their specific format.

Chelsea FC has some of the best accessible facilities and activities for their fans, creating an all-round fantastic experience.

Shape Location Get directions

Stamford Bridge, Fulham Rd., London SW6 1HS

Pricing

Please contact club for prices.

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Arsenal FC Sensory Room

Arsenal stadium
Since 2017, the Emirates Stadium has provided Arsenal fans with the chance to watch all the exciting game action from a comfortable space inside the stadium. Complete with football bean bags, high-up seating, sound-proof glass,  and special equipment, the room is an excellent space for those with sensory impairments and autism.
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Emirates Stadium Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, London N5 1BU

Pricing

Please contact club for prices.

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Southampton FC Sensory Room

Southampton stadium
In partnership with Virgin Media, Southampton Football Club has opened up a sensory room designed for those who find the atmosphere in the stadium challenging. Impressively, St Mary’s Stadium is one of the first premier league stadiums to have opened a sensory room and all you need to to buy a ticket for it is proof of eligibility (in the form of a letter from a doctor/consultant).

Get comfy in the stadium seats or go up high and cuddle a Southampton FC cushion while the game tensely unfolds… This room is great for children and adults with autism or severe anxiety. No one will have to miss out on watching their football team anymore because of their disabilities.

Just make sure to book well in advance as this popular room gets fully booked quickly!

Shape Location Get directions

Britannia Rd, Southampton SO14 5FP

Pricing

Please contact club for prices.

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West Ham FC Sensory Room

west ham stadium
Lifelong football fans will adore the new Sensory Room at West Ham! Developed closely with the Disabled Supporters’ Board and inspired by The Shippey Campaign, the room offers a wide range of calming facilities. All sights, sounds and apparatus are managed on matchdays by specially appointed staff, to help supporters adapt to the atmosphere of London Stadium in safety and security.
Shape Location Get directions

London Stadium, London, E20 2ST

Pricing

Please contact club for prices.

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If you’re after more football-based articles or attractions we recommend checking out Football Golf Near Me! Who knew that was a thing? You should also look into the Football Zorbing Experience in Manchester – you’ll be LOL’ing non-stop for 90 minutes.

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