City open matchday sensory room at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City has opened a matchday sensory room at Ashton Gate to support fans with sensory needs.  

The room will be a safe space where neurodiverse spectators, particularly our Junior Reds, can enjoy the matchday experience in a controlled setting without experiencing sensory overload.  

Located on the third level of the Lansdown Stand, the sensory room is a collaboration between the club, the Bristol City Supporters' Club & Trust - who have funded the project - the Robins Foundation and Ashton Gate Stadium.

The room has partial view of the pitch with the option to watch the game live on a screen. There is also allocated seating outside. 

Following trials at the games against Swansea City and Stoke City, the room is available from Friday, February 21^st as City Men take on Middlesbrough. Requests for use can be submitted via our application form on our website. 

The sensory room will be available for use on both City men and women matchdays.

Kate and Peter Shippey MBE - founders of the Shippey Campaign charity which supports clubs’ sensory projects across the world - have provided expert guidance on equipping the room, including soft furnishings, sports-themed bean bags and bubble tubes.

The first sensory room was opened at Sunderland in the 2015/16 season and named after their son Nathan, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

Kate and Peter Shippey said: “It's been a pleasure to assist Bristol City with the development of their Sensory Room. It'll be a great addition to the stadium and we hope many fans benefit from it. We'd like to thank the club for the opportunity to be involved. We're very proud of our son Nathan, and everything he has inspired over the past 10 years.”

Bristol City Head of Strategic Operations Michelle Dring said: “We are delighted to open the sensory room as part of our broader fan engagement plan. Working alongside the Supporters’ Club and Trust, the Robins Foundation, Ashton Gate Stadium and the Shippey Family, we’ve come together to bring this much needed vision to life. This room is more than just a space – it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their needs, has an opportunity to have the best possible matchday experience.”

Bristol City Supporters’ Club & Trust Chairman Stu Rogers said: “We are very pleased to be supporting this project. It’s so important that all supporters feel welcome and safe at Ashton Gate and the sensory room is another step in the club’s efforts to cater for all needs and to help fans show support for their team in a way that is safe and comfortable.”

The Robins Foundation’s Pan-disability football sessions provide young people and adults with a range of disabilities the opportunity to make friends, stay active, and enjoy football in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Disability Lead Coach Gary Bell said: “These are free sessions for anyone with a disability to engage with football in a fun and safe environment, including those with sensory requirements.  It is exciting to now be able to extend this provision to matchdays, where we will have staff specially trained in understanding and supporting neurodiverse needs.”