Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Guide Derry City

UK Stadiums: The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry, Northern Ireland

The stadium is the home of Derry City. — The stadium is the home of Derry City FC

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry (officially Londonderry), County Londondery, Northern Ireland is the home ground of Derry City FC. Currently NIFL Championship side Institute FC are also using the stadium on a temporary basis while the club waits to move into a new stadium in Derry.

Capacity & Stands

The stadium has a capacity for around 6,300 spectators and has a mix of both covered seating and terracing. This is limited to 2,900 for European ties.

The playing surface is 4G artificial turf installed in 2018 and pylon-style floodlighting. There are plans to upgrade the playing surface to 90% natural grass with synthetic fibres by April 2026.

The stadium was renamed after former captain Ryan McBride following his death in 2017. He died suddenly aged just 27 only 24 hours after leading his team to a 4-0 victory over Drogheda United.

History

The Brandywell first opened in 1928. The first home game was v Glentoran in 1929.

Institute FC v H&W Welders, NI Championship. — NIFL Championship, Institute FC 0 v H&W Welders 4; the pitch is presently 4G artificial and the floodlights pylon-style

Derry City

Derry FC, founded in 1928, compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of league football in the Republic of Ireland. The club are the league's sole member from Northern Ireland. They joined the division in 1985.

The team are nicknamed "The Candystripes" and play in red and white striped shirts and black shorts.

The team has won the League of Ireland Premier Division only once (1996-97) in their time in the league. They have been runner-ups three times, however.

2006 saw the club enjoy a UEFA Cup run with games against Gretna at Fir Park in Motherwell, Scotland and against PSG in Paris, France at the Parc des Princes.

James McClean began his career at Derry City, where his performances stood out - and earned him a move to Sunderland in 2011 for a fee of £350,000. He later went on to play for Wigan, WBA and Stoke City.

Accessibility

Blind and partially sighted fans can listen to descriptive commentary that will be transmitted to a radio receiver through a headset from anywhere within the stadium (BBC, 2024).

Access - Getting There

Derry is about 70 miles northwest of Belfast.

From Belfast International Airport (BFS) take an Aircoach to Derry Foyleside. From here it is a 20-minute walk to the ground.

From Belfast City Airport (BHD; George Best Belfast City Airport) take a Bangor Line train to Lanyon Place Station then a Derry/Londonderry Line train to Londonderry/Derry. From here the ground is a 30-minute walk.

Address: Lone Moor Road, Derry BT48 9HZ