City Ground

The history of City Ground is inseparable from the greatest achievements in 20th-century English football. Nottingham Forest have called this stadium home since 1898, but its peak of glory came under manager Brian Clough.

Construction and early decades

Nottingham Forest relocated to City Ground in 1898 from a temporary arrangement at the Trent Bridge cricket outfield. In its early years the ground was modest, with wooden terracing and limited capacity. Significant improvements came in the 1920s and 1930s, including a covered Main Stand and an end terrace. The stadium expanded gradually in line with the club's growing ambitions and its residential surroundings.

The Brian Clough era and European glory

The defining chapter in the stadium's history opened with the arrival of manager Brian Clough in 1975. Under his stewardship, Forest won the English league title in 1977/78, then claimed the European Cup in 1979 and retained it in 1980 -- a feat unmatched by any other English club. City Ground bore witness to this extraordinary double European triumph. The terrace behind one goal was named the Brian Clough Stand in permanent honour of the legendary manager. The ground was fully converted to all-seater configuration in the 1990s following new safety regulations.

EURO 96 and the modern era

In 1996 City Ground hosted group-stage fixtures of the EURO 96 European Championship, reaffirming its international standing. A long spell in the Championship was broken in dramatic fashion in 2021/22, when Forest secured promotion back to the Premier League after a 23-year absence. A phased redevelopment programme is now under way, with plans to increase capacity to 52,500.

City Ground is renowned for its intense atmosphere and Nottingham Forest supporters are among the most devoted in England -- a loyalty that endured across many years outside the top flight.

Fan culture

The beating heart of the matchday atmosphere is the Trent End -- the stand behind the goal facing the River Trent, where the loudest supporters are concentrated. Forest fans carry enormous pride in the club's unique heritage: the two European Cups won under Brian Clough remain a source of identity unlike anything possessed by most English clubs. The distinctive red of the Forest kit fills the stands from kick-off. The Brian Clough Stand gives permanent name to the manager who transformed a provincial club into back-to-back European champions.

Big matches

Among the most celebrated evenings at City Ground is the legacy of the 1979 European Cup campaign, which culminated in Forest's triumph over Malmö FF. The club's return to the Premier League in 2022 after a play-off victory sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch that the ground had not seen for a generation. City Ground has also hosted countless heated derby encounters with Notts County -- one of the most geographically intimate rivalries in world football.

Getting to City Ground from Nottingham city centre is easy on foot or by public transport, and the riverside setting gives a visit a distinctive character.

How to get there

• Tram: The NET tram network runs to Nottingham Station; from there it is approximately 15 minutes on foot across Trent Bridge
• Bus: Several routes from Nottingham Station serve West Bridgford; journey time is roughly 10 minutes
• On foot: The walk from the city centre across Trent Bridge takes 20-25 minutes and follows the riverbank for much of the way
• Car: Parking near the ground is very limited on matchdays; parking in the city centre and walking across the bridge is strongly recommended

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for Nottingham Forest FC are sold through the official club website; high-profile Premier League fixtures sell out quickly. The club offers stadium tours covering the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel and the Brian Clough Stand. The club museum houses trophies and memorabilia from both European Cup victories.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 90 minutes before kick-off for Premier League fixtures to allow time for security and parking
• Where to eat: West Bridgford has a relaxed selection of cafes and restaurants along Radcliffe Road, offering a calmer pre-match option than the city centre
• The view from Trent Bridge: The sight of City Ground from the bridge over the River Trent is one of the most photogenic in English football and worth arriving early to appreciate