St Mirren Park (Paisley)

St Mirren Park, also known as The SMISA Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a football stadium in Paisley, Scotland. It is the home of St Mirren. The stadium is the sixth home of the club and replaced Love Street.

General information

Official website: stmirren.com

Arena capacity: 8,023 spectators

Address: Love St, Paisley PA3 2EA, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 55°51′2″N 4°26′38″W

Year of construction: 2009

Construction cost: £8 million

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 105 x 68

Seating plan of St Mirren Park

Main Stand

The Main Stand consists of a single tier of seating, with the blocks forming horizontal black and white stripes. Executive boxes and hospitality are located behind the back row, with a few rows of claret seating in front of them that are for executive use. The Stadium Control Box is housed at the back next to the southeast corner. The dugouts and tunnel are located down at the very front of the stand, with the changing rooms housed inside.

A perimeter fence around the pitch can make you feel like you are a good way back from the action, however.

Your view from anywhere inside the Main Stand is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the roof above.

Large windshields at either end provide full protection to all but the very front rows, with walls providing cover to those right at the front.

South Stand

The South Stand consists of a single tier of seating, with the blocks forming horizontal black and white stripes. The back wall has no executive boxes in place along it, though there is a small platform up towards the back row that a matchday camera is sometimes housed in.

A perimeter fence around the pitch can make you feel like you are a good way back from the action, however.

Your view from anywhere inside the South Stand is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the roof above.

Large windshields at either end provide full protection to all but the very front rows, with walls providing cover to those right at the front.

West Stand

The West Stand consists of a single tier of seating. The outer blocks form horizontal black and white stripes, and the three central blocks have the letters SMFC spelt out in white across them. A sliver of grey seating is also used to give each letter a 3D effect. Up behind the central block that contains the letters M and F is the area which holds the main matchday camera.

A perimeter fence around the pitch can make you feel like you are a good way back from the action, however.

Your view from anywhere inside the West Stand is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the roof above.

Large windshields at either end provide full protection to all but the very front rows, with walls providing cover to those right at the front.

North Stand

The North Stand consists of a single tier of seating, with the blocks forming horizontal black and white stripes. Unlike the South Stand opposite however, there is no platform up towards the back that a matchday camera can be housed in.

A perimeter fence around the pitch can make you feel like you are a good way back from the action, however.

Your view from anywhere inside the North Stand is perfectly clear as there are no supporting pillars coming down from the roof above.

Large windshields at either end provide full protection to all but the very front rows, with walls providing cover to those right at the front.

Away Fans

Away fans are housed behind the goal in the North Stand. This is a single tier of black and white striped seating that can hold around 1,600 supporters.

The view from this side of the stadium is perfectly clear and has a good level of protection from the sides. It is of good quality, though a perimeter fence around the pitch can make you feel like you are a long way back from the action taking place.

On occasions when the largest of away followings are expected, usually when the Old Firm teams are in attendance, then blocks in the adjacent Main Stand to the west can also be made available, with rows of stewards used to segregate this away section from any home supporters sat nearby.

The Main Stand offers the same clear view and good level of protection as the North Stand does.

The North Stand is also ideally placed for those coming by rail.

The nearest train station, Paisley St James, is a short distance away from the northeast corner. Head along Greenhill Road from the station and you will arrive at the northeast corner which leads back round to the North Stand and its turnstiles at either end.

The large, covered building in front of it holds all-weather training pitches.

Where to buy tickets?

Even though St Mirren Park is quite new in football stadium terms, it has stuck with the traditional British look of football grounds by having a stand on each side of the pitch, separate from each other. The Tony Fitzpatrick Stand on the south of the stadium is the one for families, whilst visiting supporters find themselves in the North Stand.

How much you’ll pay for tickets at St Mirren will depend entirely on where in the ground you want to sit. Generally speaking, though, you’re looking at £20+ if you’re an adult, £10+ for concessions and £5+ for children. Carers of disabled people are able to get their tickets for free.

How to get there?

The ground is particularly easy to get to due to its proximity to the M8.

From the West

Exit the M8 at J29 St James Interchange signed A737/Glasgow Airport/Paisley. At the roundabout both lanes of the slip road lead around to the A726 Greenock Road towards Paisley and East Kilbride which is the 3rd exit. Directions are then as M8 East below.

From the East

Exit the M8 at J29 St James Interchange. It is best to be in the 2nd lane on the viaduct, as the inside lane leaves at J28a just before the junction 29. Turn left at the traffic lights on the roundabout onto the A726 Greenock Road (signed Paisley and East Kilbride). At the second set of traffic lights from here, turn right onto McFarlane Street which double backs on itself. After 300m the road has a sharp left bend onto Greenhill Road and the Ground is a further 300m away. The ground it usually signed from the St James Interchange.

From the South

Fans travelling along the A737 from Ayrshire, can also exit at St James Interchange, however leaving and joining the road at Linwood may help beat the traffic. Exit at Linwood, and turn right on the roundabout towards Paisley. After passing the Asda, at the 3rd roundabout turn left onto Barskiven Road. Follow this road for about a mile going straight across two roundabouts. After the second you will be on Ferguslie Park Avenue, the road then turns to the right and the ground is about 400 yards away on your right.

Car Parking

There is a large matchday car park located directly behind the West Stand that costs £5. It is accessed via Ferguslie Park Avenue. Otherwise, street parking.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Paisley St James, which is situated almost just across the road from the Paisley 2021 Stadium. It is a 17-minute journey from Glasgow Central Station.

If you are coming to the ground by train Paisley St James has a half hourly service on the Glasgow-Gourock line and is located on Greenhill Road directly behind the away stand. Come out of the station onto Greenhill Road and the stadium is directly on the left. A campaign by fans of the club hopes to persuade Transport Scotland to rename the station Paisley St Mirren, however for the near future Paisley St James is where you should alight.

Paisley Gilmour Street is one stop away from St James and around 15-minute walk from the ground, but has a much more frequent service with trains every 10 minutes.

At the bottom of the stairs from the platforms turn right to take the back entrance to Old Sneddon Street and then turn left. Once you are at the traffic lights at the Court and Love Street, continue along St James Street and onto Underwood Road, where you pass under the railway. 400m further along you pass a pedestrian crossing and the Royal Mail Centre on your right at the corner of Greenhill Road. Head down Greenhill Road and the ground is 200m on your left.

Most service buses to Paisley also stop next Paisley Gilmour Street station and directions are the same for them. It is possible to catch a number 64 Arriva bus to Ferguslie Park from Gauze Street in the Town Centre which takes around 5 minutes and passes very close by to the ground.

Where to eat and sleep?

We’ve lined up some of our favourites hotels in Paisley for your consideration here.

1. Motel Air – Glasgow Airport. Cheap and cheerful are the words you’d most closely associate with this hotel. Its proximity to the airport could be a problem if you’re a light sleeper, but there is free parking for those that are driving and it is just half a mile to the ground. There is also free Wi-Fi if you need to get online, as well as a vending machine for those of you that like to get a bit to eat or a drink.
• What can you bet on today? The answer is here.
2. Glynhill Hotel. With a restaurant and two bars, Glynhill Hotel can act as something of a ‘one size fits all option’ for people that don’t want to stray too far from where they’re staying. On top of that, there is an indoor pool and spa, as well as a garden and terrace area if the weather is nice. A 24-hour business centre and free Wi-Fi means that you can get on with some work if you need to, whilst free parking is also convenient for those of you that are driving.
3. The Lynnhurst Hotel. A little further afield from the football ground than the other places that we’ve mentioned, The Lynnhust Hotel is nevertheless one that you’ll want to consider visiting. There is a restaurant and bar as well as a lounge area, plus a terrace and a garden with a picnic area. You can pick up free newspapers in the reception, whilst those of you flying in to Glasgow will be able to get a free airport transfer. If you’re driving then you can park for free and those of you that need to get online will appreciate the free Wi-Fi.
• No questions? Place a bet now.

Paisley is a great city to head to for a drink and a night out. Here are some of the best places to go for a bevvy or two:

1. Wee Howff. If you’re the sort of person that fancies a real ale when you watch your sport then the Wee Howff might just be the place to head to. It is also something of a traditional pub with a crowd of regulars, so don’t be surprised if people wonder who you are when you go there. Head to the pub on the right night, though, and you might be in for a treat with quiz nights and open mic sessions regular occurrences.
• Follow the link and get your prediction before the match starts.
2. St Mirren 1877 Supporters Club. The positive thing about St Mirren 1877 Supporters Club is that it is actually located at St Mirren Park and is therefore absolutely the best place to head to if you’re watching the match. The negative thing is that it is only open for members and their guests, so you’ll need to befriend someone who can get you in if you fancy a pre-match pint here.
3. Lumins Cocktails & Sports Bar. The name of this place tells you all of the important information, insomuch as it is a sports bar that serves cocktails. That gives you a good sense of what you can expect, with alcoholic drinks at the top of the list of things that they’re going to be good at. The fact that you can also watch the sport instead of the barman that thinks he’s Tom Cruise is obviously an added bonus, though non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
• Go to a bookmaker and place your bets right now.

Facilities

Given the fact that the ground only opened in 2009, it is fair to say that the facilities at St Mirren Park are amongst the best in Scotland. All of the usual things like bars and places to get a bite to eat are available, in addition to toilets and disabled facilities.

There are numerous different hospitality packages available at St Mirren Park, whether you’re there with business associates or just for a celebration with friends and family. As long as there are two or more people in your group, you’ll be able to find a package that suits, including the likes of a meal, champagne reception and drinks. The cost will depend on the match that you want to go and see.

Obviously, the club hopes that there is always a reason to party at St Mirren Park, but sometimes you need to bring your own party to the table. If that’s what you’re looking to do then there are numerous different private hire options, which is also the case if you’re hoping for a more formal setting for something like a business meeting.

Accessibility

Disabled fans (wheelchair and ambulant) should enter the stadium via the following turnstiles:

Main Stand

• Gate M2 which gives access to areas M1 to M4
• Gate M3 which gives access to areas M6 to M9

South Stand

• Gate S1 which gives access to all areas of the stand

West Stand

• Gate W1 which gives access to areas W1 to W3
• Gate W4 which gives access to areas W4 to W7

North Stand

• Gate N3 which gives access to all areas of the stand
• All stands are accessed from ground level to the seating and wheelchair spaces which are sited at the front row of all four stands.
• Find out which bookmaker you can get a sign-up bonus from.
• The catering kiosks and disabled toilets are accessed from ground level at the rear of each stand.
• There is a lift to the left hand side (as you enter) of the main reception area which will give access to the Corporate Hospitality suite.
• All tables in the Corporate Hospitality suite are the required height for wheelchair users.
• There is a section of the bar that is also dropped to the required height for wheelchair users.
• The game can be viewed via windows from the Corporate Hospitality suite, alternatively there are two wheelchair spaces to the back of the Main Stand which can be accessed from the same level as the Corporate Hospitality suite.
• We make dozens of free sports predictions every day.

Exterior

Fans coming from Paisley St James Station will walk along Greenhill Road and first come to the stadium’s East Stand, which is considered the Main Stand at St Mirren Park.

Its exterior has a simple design, consisting of a brickwork base with light grey corrugated iron, dark grey corrugated iron and groups of glass windows higher up. The centre of the stand’s exterior protrudes outwards, and a glass façade in the centre houses the Main Entrance. St Mirren Club Badges are in place either side of the protruding part.

At one end of the stand, by the stadium’s northeast corner, is a Ticket Collection Point and the St Mirren Fans Council Entrance. The St Mirren FC Club Shop and Main Ticket Office are based closer to the Main Entrance. The walls either side of the Main Entrance hold promotional plaques that includes the names of fans and loved ones. At the end of the stand by the stadium’s southeast corner is the Hospitality Suite Entrance.

Turnstiles and Exit Gates are located at either end of the Main Stand’s exterior.

Out beyond the Main Stand, on the opposite side of Greenhill Road, is an industrial estate and the railway tracks.

Continuing round in a clockwise direction brings you to the South Stand.

Its exterior follows the design of the adjacent Main Stand, using a brickwork base with light grey corrugated iron higher up. The St Mirren Club Badge is in place atop this higher level of the exterior.

Turnstiles for the South Stand are based at either end of the exterior.

The space outside the stand is taken up by a row of car parking spaces, with a black perimeter fence segregating this from Drums Avenue that runs along outside of it.

The West Stand follows the same exterior design as the adjacent South Stand but is longer as it runs along the length of the pitch rather than the width.

The exterior consists of a brickwork base with light grey corrugated iron higher up. The St Mirren Club Badge is in place atop this higher level of the exterior. You can often find a small programme hub in front of the brickwork base.

Turnstiles for the West Stand are located at either end of the exterior.

The majority of St Mirren Park’s car parking spaces can be found in front of the West Stand.

The North Stand at St Mirren Park continues the exterior design of the rest of the stadium, using a brickwork base with light grey corrugated iron higher up. The St Mirren Club Badge is in place atop this higher level of the exterior.

Turnstiles for the North Stand are located at either end of the exterior.

The main feature on this side of the stadium however is right outside the stand. There is a large, covered building here that holds all-weather training pitches. A few rows of car parking spaces are also located close by.

History

St Mirren Park opened its doors on the 31st of January 2009, with working having began a year before. It cost £8 million, with Barr Construction being the ones responsible for it. Talks about St Mirren building a new home ground had begun in 2003 when Lidl and Aldi representatives met with the club and discussed buying the old stadium in order to build retail developments. In the end, it was sold to Tesco for £15, giving the club £7 profit from it. There have been numerous sponsors of the ground over the years.