MK Dons
stadium:mk
Capacity: 22,000
Address: stadium:mk, Stadium Way, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1ST
Amount of visits: 2
Other: £22.00 entrance fee for away supporters. Selected as one of the host stadiums for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. Red Dot bar located at the stadium.
Milton Keynes Dons FC
Stadium:mk is a 22,000 all seated stadium situated on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. MK Dons moved to their new home in 2007 after a number of years at the National Hockey Stadium in the centre of MK. Of course, MK Dons were formerly Wimbledon FC until Chairman Pete Wilkelman took the club over and re-located them 60 miles north to the new town of Milton Keynes.
I visited the stadium first when they played Northampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the 2009/2010 season and again when they played Southampton in the later stages of the same competition. Both times attracted a good crowd, although the Northampton game was seen more as a ‘local derby’.
The ground is well located, just a few hundred yards away from the A5. If you’re familiar with MK, you will know that there is a huge ASDA and an IKEA next to the stadium. Last season also saw a McDonalds and a KFC added to the stadium. Interestingly, the units are decked out in the design of the Dons’ home.
The stadium looks impressive inside and out. Unfortunately though, it is still only half finished as the club are waiting until they reach the Championship or win the World Cup 2018 bid to finish off the top tier and exterior fascias. The stadium was designed by HOK Sport, who are the same company that designed Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. Stadium:mk also has the same seats as the Arsenal ground. They are larger than normal, have extra leg room and are cushioned.
Another ‘unique’ feature of the ground is the open concourse. Most modern stadiums/stands have concourses with food outlets etc, but they are inside the stand. The stadium:mk has a concorse that goes round the whole ground, but you can still see the action on the pitch while you queue. The stadium also has a basketball arena attached to it as well as a Hilton Hotel.
Getting to Milton Keynes
By car
Sat Nav reference: MK1 1ST
Make your way over to the M1 via your preferred route. Exit at junction 13 and take the A421 going towards Milton Keynes. Upon reaching MK after approximately 3 miles take the 2nd exit at the first roundabout onto the H9 Groveway. Follow this road, going over 4 roundabouts and then at the 5th take the 2nd exit onto the V6 Grafton Street. Drive down this road and the Stadium’s entrance will be on the left after about 500 yards.
By train
The nearest station to stadium:mk is Bletchley. It is about 2 miles away from the ground, but the club do provide a bus service from here which costs about a £1 and commences from 1pm on matchdays. The station is served by Virgin trains from London Euston and Birmingham New Street. You can also get to the ground from Central Milton Keynes station. This station is further away than Bletchley, but again the ground provide a bus service to and from the station.
