The best and worst Premier League football stadiums for accessibility 

The World Cup has officially kicked off. At Humfree, we’ll be cheering on England and Scotland. We’re champions of possibility, after all. 

But something we aren’t celebrating is the game’s lack of accessibility.  

Closer to home, the Premier League has come under fire from Level Playing Field, a charity advocating for the rights of disabled sports fans, for failing to provide an accessible match-day experience. 

In 2015, the Premier League pledged to the Accessible Stadium Guide that all participating clubs would achieve compliance by August 2017.  

However, a decade later, the number of wheelchair and mobility scooter spaces still falls short of standards… 

This just isn’t good enough. 

That’s why we’ve created a handy guide to see which teams are on track to meet their pledge and who’s falling short – as football should be for everyone.  

Key takeaways: 

• Many stadiums now have inclusive facilities, such as wheelchair-friendly seating, to make football games more accessible. 

• Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium has the best-performing ground for overall accessibility.  

• However, the Premier League still has a long way to go for a fully accessible experience.  

The Premier League accessibility table 

Using data from the Accessible Stadia Guide, Level Playing Field, Premier League, and Halton Stairlifts Accessibility League Table, we’ve created a table showing the accessibility rankings for each Premier League team.  

This was calculated by: 

• The number of accessible seats in the stadium 

• The percentage of accessible seats vs. the stadium’s overall capacity 

• The number of accessible toilets in the stadium 

• Available audio description services, on-site blue badge parking, and sensory rooms 

• Fan-submitted ratings of ‘Away Days’  

So, here are the very best – and worst – stadiums and teams for accessibility: 

The most accessible Premier League stadium

And the winner is… Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium! 

While they may have finished 13^th last season, Everton gets the gold in our accessibility league table. They earned 96 out of a possible 100 points – scoring top marks across each category. 

The runners-up 

It was neck and neck between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur… But Tottenham’s iconic stadium missed out by just one point, landing second. 

Right behind them were West Ham United and Manchester, taking the third and fourth spots on the league table. 

Despite winning 13 Premier League titles, Manchester United falls short on accessibility. The only ‘Big Six’ team not to land in the accessibility league table’s top six, they even miss the top ten, placing 13th with 72 points. That’s 19 points behind their Manchester City rivals. 

The least accessible stadium is… 

Bad luck if you’re a Hatters fan.   

Ranked last, Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road loses big when it comes to accessibility. They have the fewest seats for wheelchair users and the fewest accessible toilets. Luton Town’s stadium capacity is also a mere 10,356, unlike mega-club Manchester United’s 74,310.  

Designated wheelchair spaces 

The Accessible Stadia Guide says grounds with a capacity of over 40,000 should have at least 210 wheelchair-accessible spaces (that can also be used for mobility scooters), adding two for every additional 1,000 seats – at least 0.53% in the overall stadium. 

Sweeping the competition on every metric, Everton are front-runners for wheelchair or mobility-scooter-friendly seats. Everton’s Hill Dickinson’s Stadium is packed with wheelchair viewing areas, as well step-free access and many more accessible facilities.  

Part of the Blue Army? Accessibility-wise, they aren’t quite on the ball.  

Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge and other historic stadiums like Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Manchester’s Old Trafford struggle with having older architecture. This means a lack of expansion space for wheelchairs and tighter concourses. 

Away days 

There’s nothing like an away day. It’s a huge part of football culture and gives fans a chance to support their favourite team while soaking up the sights of a new town or city.  

Travelling to away fixtures can be difficult, especially if you need a little extra help getting around. That’s why with Humfree’s lightweight, easy-to-lift, portable models, the possibility of travelling further, staying longer, and exploring more becomes a reality.   

And you can even take it on a plane – handy if you’re heading to the FIFA World Cup in North America. 

But what about once you’re at the stadium? Sadly, things may not be that easy…   

When there’s a lack of accessible seats, fans with mobility difficulties are often put in the home section. This can make fans feel separated from other away supporters, and ‘othered’ by home fans – as Martin from the National Association of Disabled Supporters experienced: “Once I didn’t know I’d be with the home fans until I got there, and I was wearing my football shirt… This kid said, “What’s he doing here? Why doesn’t he go up the other end?” And I wanted to say, “I don’t want me in here either, you know!” 

The underdogs and the up-and-comers 

From having enough seats to getting to the top of the scoreboard, it can be a challenge to keep up with the top-tier Premier League clubs.  

The newly promoted teams, Burnley and Luton Town, land at the bottom of the accessibility table.  

New club performance stats suggest these teams struggle to keep pace with the Accessible Stadium Guide criteria. This shows that more needs to be done to tackle accessibility in football.  

The energy of a match is at its best when everyone can get involved, so let’s hope the Premier League gets back to meeting its pledge.  

Because nothing should get in the way of enjoying the beautiful game.  

FAQs about travelling with a mobility scooter

Let’s address some of the most common questions.

Are folding scooters good for travel?

Absolutely. Lightweight frames and compact folds make them perfect for trains, cruises, taxis and hotel rooms. With airline-friendly lithium batteries, most models can fly too.

Are powerchairs designed for all-day comfort?

Yes – that’s what they’re made for. Glide’s supportive seating and smooth suspension means you can sit comfortably for longer periods without feeling stiff, strained or rattled around.

How do I transport a Humfree scooter on a bus or train?

Easily. Our travel scooters are compact enough for standard bus spaces and slim enough to navigate train aisles. Fold or dismantle as needed, hop on and enjoy the view.

Can I stay seated on my scooter during the journey?

On trains and buses, you’ll usually remain seated in your scooter in the designated wheelchair area. The scooter should be switched off, brakes applied, and positioned safely. On planes, you will transfer to an airline seat, and your scooter will travel in the hold.

Can I take my mobility scooter on a plane?

Yes, but you must notify the airline in advance. Airlines will typically ask for battery type and specs, scooter weight and dimensions, and whether it folds or dismantles.

Does the battery need to be removed before I fold the scooter?

When you’re done scooting, just fold it and forget it. The only time you’ll ever need to remove the battery is if you want a lighter lift, or you’re hopping on a plane in line with the airline’s rules on lithium batteries (but don’t worry – it’s lightweight, easy to remove, and compliant with most carriers).

What happens if the wheelchair space is already taken?

Wheelchair spaces are legally prioritised for wheelchair users. If the space is occupied, staff will assess the situation. Sometimes other passengers (for example, those with pushchairs or luggage) may need to move. Booking ahead helps you (and transport staff) prepare.

Will I feel self-conscious using one?

It’s normal to have initial concerns about how others perceive you. In reality, most people are neutral, and many users report feeling more confident and independent over time. In fact, you might find that your friends follow suit once they see how much you’re benefitting from your new set of wheels.