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Portman Road Stadium Seating Plan

Despite the great age of this venue, it provides an excellent matchday experience in a classic English football setting. Restricted views are rare, thanks to pillar-free cantilevered roofs constructed in a series of redevelopments going back to the early 1970s. The only stand with any pillars is the West Stand, and these can sometimes get in the way on the upper tier.

View from the Away Section (V1) in the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road, by Dom Fellowes on Flickr

Those, pillarless, cantilevered roofs also provide cover from the elements to every part of the stadium, apart from the Lower Tier of the Cobbold Stand.

The largest recent improvement at Portman Road was the total reconstruction of the shortside stands in the early 2000s. This bumped up the stadium capacity to the current total. There are also plans to redevelop the eastern Cobbold Stand, while the west stand was given new executive boxes before the 2024-25 season.

The Stands at Portman Road

The stadium has four disconnected stands, each one built and renovated at a different time, giving the ground an asymmetrical appearance, exaggerated by the newer shortside stands. The viewing experience is completely different from one stand to the next, whether you’re in the modern Sir Bobby Robson Stand or the slightly old-fashioned longside stands, which can have slightly cramped seating or some obstructed sightlines.

Sir Bobby Robson Stand

Capacity: 7,500

Rows: 41

The northside Sir Bobby Robson Stand was entirely rebuilt in 2001. This was originally known as the North Stand, but was renamed for Ipswich Town’s greatest manager after he passed away in 2009.

As is common for shortside stands at English football stadiums, the Sir Bobby Robson Lower is the hotbed of the club’s most loyal and vocal supporters. The noise levels are highest here, and most of the chants will begin in these rows.

Naturally, the rowdy support and colourful language makes the Sir Bobby Robson Stand less suitable for families. In fact, children under the age of 12 are not even allowed in the Lower Tier. The Upper Tier is a bit calmer, with superior views of the action.

Cobbold Stand

Capacity: 7,000

Rows: Up to 37

Dating back to 1971, this eastern longside stand is arguably the most old-school at Portman Road. The Cobbald Road Stand is reserved for away fans, who find that the seating can be pretty uncomfortable, with little room between the rows.

The away section is labelled V1 and V2 at the south end of the stand, but it’s important to note that the away allocation for Premier League games is 3,000. So there will be additional seating provided for away fans, most likely in the S Block in the Lower Tier of this stand. Check out our guide to away allocations in the Premier League.

The Cobbold Stand has two tiers, with an unbroken row of executive boxes dividing the Upper Tier from the much smaller Lower Tier. This is the only part of the stadium completely open to the elements. On rainy days you will get wet if you sit in the Lower Tier.

The Lower Tier is home to Portman Road’s family area, while younger fans are also welcome in the Upper Tier. Despite the tired appearance, the views of the action are good throughout the stand, looking out across the pitch to the dugouts.

Sir Alf Ramsey Stand

Capacity: 7,000

Rows: Up to 43

Also rebuilt in the early 2000s, the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand is the southern shortside stand, mirroring the modern Sir Bobby Robson Stand. On two tiers, it was renamed for the legendary former manager, who led Ipswich to a league title in 1962 after achieving promotion to the top flight the season before.

The atmosphere is very different to the opposite stand, with more of an emphasis on families. Although there is no official family area here, you will see a lot of younger fans in this part of the stadium. As a consequence the atmosphere is less rowdy in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

The players’ tunnel is in the corner between this stand and the West Stand, while there has been a lot of recent development outside the entrance, with a hotel (Travelodge) popping up in the 2020s.

West Stand

Capacity: 8,000

Rows: Up to 40

The oldest stand at Portman Road is also the largest, raised in 1957 and comprising three tiers. Like all stands except for the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, the West Stand is family friendly. The entire Lower Tier serves as a large dedicated family area, while Blocks F, K and L towards the south end of the stand in the tiers above are geared towards younger members of the clan.

The Middle Tier is where you’ll find Portman Road’s poshest seats, including the Directors’ Box and a long line of executive boxes that have recently been upgraded before the 2024-25 season. Among the other updates to the West Stand were an improved TV gantry, which overhangs the Directors’ Box from the Upper Tier.

Despite the recent improvements, the West Stand does have an old-fashioned feel, especially in the Upper Tier, where restricted views can be an issue.

Outside, the West Stand is adjacent to Portman Road’s FanZone, which has activities to help fans of all ages get into the mood before the game. Typically there are appearances from ITFC players, signing sessions, live football on the big screen, and inflatable games for kids.

Where Should I Sit at Portman Road?

For the Best Atmosphere

Without question, the best place to go if you want noise and banter is the Lower Tier of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand (5). As we mentioned above, children are not allowed in this part of the stadium, which is claimed by Ipswich Town’s most raucous fans. Expect non-stop singing, some interesting language, and to spend the entire match standing up to get a view of the game.

For the Best Views

For broadcast-style views, the best place to sit at Portman Road is the Middle Tier of the West Stand. For general admission seats, these are Blocks I and G, while there are excellent views for the hospitality boxes in both the West Stand and the Cobbold Stand opposite. Elsewhere, the lower rows in the Upper West Stand and the Upper Cobbold also have excellent views of the pitch.

For the Premium Experience

The premium hospitality areas in the West Stand and Cobbold Stand were brought up to date in the summer before 2024-25. They had already won numerous awards during Ipswich Town’s time in the Championship and League One. There are also plenty of premium general admission seats around the stadium, located in Cobbold Stand (D Block), West Stand (Y Block), and Sir Alf Ramsey Stand (X Block). We talk a bit more about Portman Road’s premium seats in our guide to Ipswich Membership.

For Family Days Out

The entire stadium except for the Sir Bobby Robson Stand is geared towards parents and caregivers visiting with younger fans. In particular, the West Stand and Cobbold Stand shine in this respect. Head for Blocks U2, U, T2 and T in the Cobbold Stand, and JJ, I2, I1, GG, FF, F, L and K in the West Stand.

For Unrestricted Views

Most of the stadium has excellent sightlines, but the West Stand does have pillars, while the Cobbold Stand has a roof that can get in the way. So if you’re hunting for Ipswich Tickets, it pays to be aware that the longside stands can have restricted views if you don’t want to miss a single kick. Blocks K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and Y in the West Stand are the most affected. The low, overhanging roof can be an obstruction in Blocks A, B, C, D, E, V1 and V2 in the Cobbold Stand. Only a few seats of tickets in these areas suffer from restricted views.

Accessibility

There are 111 spaces in total for wheelchair users, distributed around eight parts of the ground (10 in the away areas). These home spaces can be found in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand, Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and the West Stand. All of the lower wheelchair spaces are protected from the elements at the front of each stand, while PA seating is always next to or directly behind the wheelchair space. For ambulant disabled there are 298 easy access seats, all within close proximity of the stadium’s 14 accessible toilets.

The local team playing at Portman Road Stadium, is Ipswich.