Ainslie Park is a stadium located in the north of Edinburgh and is currently home to Spartans FC, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, Spartans Women’s FC, and various teams throughout the Spartans Youth Academy. Built in 2008 to replace the demolished City Park, Ainslie Park boasts of modern but basic facilities with a capacity of around 4,000. A main stand, seating just over 500 fans, runs along the side of the pitch (though only around half the pitch length) and standing areas are available elsewhere, including an elevated grassy embankment behind the northmost goal. A new, slightly smaller stand was also completed in early 2023 on the same side of the pitch as the dugouts.
ATMOSPHERE – 1/5
As Ainslie Park is home to a number of non-league sides, attendances are seldom greater than around 350 and atmosphere is therefore subsequently lacking. There are occasional chants from some younger supporters but nothing substantial or sustained, making Ainslie Park a great place to hear and learn how players communicate with each other on the pitch…!
TICKET PRICES – 5/5
Adult match tickets cost £9 to watch Spartans in the Lowland League and £7 to watch Hutchie Vale in the East of Scotland Premier Division, with various concessionary discounts also available. Both cash and card payments are accepted on the gate as well as online tickets through the ‘Fanbase’ app. Football for less than a tenner – what’s not to love?!
FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS – 4/5
There are food and drink options aplenty from the cafe within the clubhouse overlooking the pitch. Various pies are available alongside sausage rolls, pasties, crisps, and sweets. Drinks include teas, coffees, Bovril, and various juices. All are reasonably priced with a pie and juice coming to around £4.50 (which is pretty standard for this level of football) though the pies are definitely better than most.
AWAY FANS EXPERIENCE – 5/5
As mentioned, attendances are rarely that big so fans rarely need to be segregated – therefore away supporters can expect to enjoy the same experience as home supporters. It’s very uncommon for supporters to be segregated at this level of football with fans given free reign to sit or stand wherever they like, however travelling fans are designated a specific area at the northern end of the stand if required.
PUBS NEARBY – 2/5
This is perhaps the area that lets Ainslie Park down the most. There are very few if any watering holes nearby, with the pricey bar inside the Village Hotel the nearest option. It seems slightly unfair to mark down a ground for factors outwith its control but Ainslie Park is tucked away in the middle of the Pilton housing estate so supporters would likely be better off having a drink in the city centre before making the relatively short journey out. There is a small bar within the clubhouse overlooking the pitch but it’s often reserved for hospitality attendees only.
TRANSPORT LINKS – 4/5
Parking nearby Ainslie Park is relatively straightforward, with spaces available in the Leisure Centre’s car park next door or the Morrisons superstore two minutes away. Bus links are also available to and from the City Centre or Waverly train station via services 21 and 27 on Ferry Road.
OVERALL
Thanks to Ainslie Park’s artificial playing surface, numerous teams play there each week meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get out and tick it off the groundhopping list. It’s a compact and modern ground which offers a nice contrast to some of the older, terrace-style arenas found within Scotland’s lower leagues. Ainslie is also home to the Spartans Community Football Academy whose staff run the food kiosks and always extend a warm welcome to visiting supporters. All in all Ainslie Park is an excellent choice to take in some capital city lower league football.
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