Stoke City currently competes in the EFL Championship, sitting in 16th place as of April 16, 2026, with their most recent game ending in a 1–1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on April 11. The Potters have upcoming fixtures against Wrexham (April 18), Millwall (April 22), and Portsmouth (April 25) as they conclude their 2025–26 campaign. Throughout this season, the team has relied heavily on the offensive contributions of Sorba Thomas, who leads the club with 10 goals and 10 assists, while playing under the management of Mark Robins at the 30,089-capacity bet365 Stadium.
In this guide, you will find a detailed breakdown of the remaining 2026 fixtures, an analysis of the current squad’s performance, travel advice for the bet365 Stadium, and a historical look at the legendary games that shaped one of the world’s oldest professional football clubs.
Current 2025-26 Season Performance
Stoke City’s 2025–26 season has been defined by mid-table stability under Mark Robins. As of April 2026, the club has played 42 league matches, securing 15 wins, 10 draws, and 17 losses for a total of 55 points.
The squad has maintained a positive goal difference of +3, scoring 49 goals while conceding 46. While their FA Cup journey ended in the Fourth Round against Fulham, their primary focus remains finishing the Championship season strongly to build momentum for the 2026–27 campaign.
Upcoming 2026 Fixture List
The final stretch of the season features critical matchups for the Potters as they look to climb into the top half of the table.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Competition |
| April 18, 2026 | Wrexham | Away (STōK Cae Ras) | Championship |
| April 22, 2026 | Millwall | Home (bet365 Stadium) | Championship |
| April 25, 2026 | Portsmouth | Home (bet365 Stadium) | Championship |
| May 02, 2026 | Bristol City | Away (Ashton Gate) | Championship |
The away trip to Wrexham on April 18 is expected to be a highlight, with the newly promoted Welsh side fighting for a play-off spot while Stoke aims to play the role of “spoiler.”
Key Players and Top Scorers
Sorba Thomas has been the standout performer of the season, becoming the first Stoke player in years to reach double figures in both goals and assists. Million Manhoef follows closely behind with 7 goals, providing pace and creativity from the midfield.
Defensively, Ben Wilmot and Ashley Phillips have been the most consistent starters, with Wilmot adding three goals from set-pieces. In goal, Viktor Johansson has shared duties with Tommy Simkin, collectively keeping the team competitive in tight matches.
Historical Results and Milestones
Founded in 1863 as Stoke Ramblers, the club has a rich history of landmark results. Their most famous victory remains the 2–1 win over Chelsea in the 1972 League Cup Final, which stands as the club’s only major trophy.
Other record-breaking games include:
- Record League Win: 10–3 vs West Bromwich Albion (1937)
- Record Premier League Win: 6–1 vs Liverpool (2015)
- Record Attendance: 51,373 at the Victoria Ground vs Arsenal (1937)
Rivalries and High-Stakes Games
The “Potteries Derby” against Port Vale remains the club’s most traditional rivalry, though the two sides have rarely met in the same division in recent years. Instead, fixtures against Midlands neighbors like West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City often draw the largest crowds and highest tension.
Matches against “relegated giants” or high-spending teams like Leeds United often define Stoke’s season, testing their reputation for being a difficult team to beat on a “cold, rainy night in Stoke.”
The bet365 Stadium Experience
The bet365 Stadium (formerly the Britannia Stadium) has been Stoke’s home since 1997. Known for its open corners that allow the wind to swirl, it creates a unique atmospheric challenge for visiting teams that was famously utilized during the club’s decade-long stay in the Premier League.
The stadium’s capacity of 30,089 was recently boosted by the filling in of the “SE Corner” and upgrades to the West Stand. Fans often gather at the Delilah’s Bar before kick-off to sing the club’s anthem, “Delilah.”
Practical Information and Planning
How to Get There
The bet365 Stadium is located near the junction of the A50 and A500. For those traveling by rail, Stoke-on-Trent railway station is on the West Coast Main Line. Matchday shuttle buses run from Glebe Street in Stoke town centre directly to the stadium.
Ticket Prices and Booking
Adult tickets for Championship games in 2026 typically range from £25 to £35, depending on the category of the opponent. Tickets can be purchased via the official club website, the stadium ticket office, or by calling the ticket hotline.
Matchday Tips
- Arrive Early: Security checks are thorough; aim to be at the gates at least 45 minutes before kick-off.
- Parking: On-site parking is limited to permit holders. Visitors should use third-party sites like Longton Rugby Club or Power League.
- Wear Layers: Even in April, the stadium is famously breezy due to its elevated location.
Stoke City’s 2025–26 fixture picture
Championship home and away overview
In the 2025–26 EFL Championship season, Stoke City usually play 46 league fixtures: 23 at home and 23 away, with a schedule that runs from early‑August kick‑offs through a final‑day in May, barring any mid‑season interruptions. The home‑leg of the season at the bet365 Stadium is spread relatively evenly across the autumn, winter, and spring, with clusters of games in September, November, December, March, and April often forming the backbone of the matchday calendar for regular supporters.
Typical home‑match opponents in a recent Championship‑style season include sides like Derby County, Wrexham, Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Watford, Preston North End, Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, Middlesbrough, Swansea City, and Bristol City, with fixtures against the league’s top‑half or promotion‑contending clubs usually drawing higher ticket demand and more intense atmosphere. The full fixture list is published in the summer, and individual kick‑off times then shift slightly through the season depending on broadcasting commitments, though the vast majority of home games are still scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturdays, with a smaller number of evening fixtures (often 7:45 PM) in midweek or bank‑holiday slots.
Cup matches and extra fixtures
Beyond the 46‑game league programme, Stoke City games also include any Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures that the club qualifies for. The Carabao Cup usually starts in August with an early‑round tie; for example, recent seasons have seen Stoke host Walsall or similar lower‑tier clubs at the bet365 Stadium in a first‑round game around the middle of August. These cup ties often provide an early‑season test and a chance to rotate the squad while still allowing fans to experience the stadium at lower‑demand times.
If the Potters progress, they might face Premier‑League opposition in later rounds, which brings a different crowd dynamic: TV cameras, more media attention, and a higher‑profile home‑fixture feel. The FA Cup adds another layer in the winter months, with possible first‑round or second‑round appearances that can be spread across December, January, and February, depending on scheduling. When cup‑and‑league fixtures overlap, fans can expect a reasonably packed matchday calendar, with multiple games in certain weeks and a mix of different‑level opponents across the bet365 pitch.
Matchday at the bet365 Stadium
Stadium basics and capacity
The bet365 Stadium is an all‑seater venue in Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire, with a total capacity of 30,089 following expansion work completed in the late‑2010s. The stadium replaced the club’s old Victoria Ground in the summer of 1997 and has hosted Stoke City games in the Championship, Premier League, and domestic‑cup competitions ever since. The stands are arranged in a compact, four‑sided layout, which keeps the crowd close to the pitch and creates a loud, enclosed atmosphere, especially when the main stands are full for key fixtures or cup‑ties.
The stadium is split into several main stands, each with its own ticket‑price tier and viewing characteristics. Typical sections include the Lodge, Gladys Street, Family Stand, and Remembrance/World War Stand areas, with the Lodge and Gladys Street often housing the more vocal, standing‑style atmospheres and the Family Stand catering to parents and children with reduced‑capacity‑pricing and dedicated‑family‑areas facilities. Each stand offers a different feel: from the louder, more traditional supporter‑sections to the more relaxed family‑and‑corporate‑style seating roughly opposite the main camera viewpoint.
Opening hours and entry times
On a standard Stoke City matchday, the bet365 Stadium usually opens its concourses and outer areas a few hours before the scheduled kick‑off, with the club recommending that supporters arrive around 1.5–2 hours prior to the game. Turnstiles and internal gates tend to open roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours before the official 3:00 PM or 7:45 PM kick‑off, depending on the competition and any special‑event arrangements such as ticket‑checks, bag‑scans, or accessible‑entry protocols. Cup‑fixtures and high‑demand league games may advise even earlier arrival times to avoid long queues.
Matchday guidance is usually published on the club’s “Matchday Ticket” and “Stadium Information” pages, which outline when each stand opens, where specific ticket categories should report, and how to use the stadium’s multiple entrances to avoid bottlenecks. The club’s communication also stresses that supporters with accessible‑access tickets should arrive early to allow time for assistance, ramp‑usage, and seat‑allocation checks that help keep the day running smoothly for disabled fans and their companions.
Atmosphere and matchday feel
The atmosphere at Stoke City games varies depending on the opponent, league position, and time of year, but the bet365 Stadium is generally known for a loud, committed fan‑base that sings and chants consistently rather than in short bursts. The Lodge End and Gladys Street sections are the traditional home‑supporter strongholds, often home to the most vocal chant‑leaders and drum‑sections, while the Bet365 End and Family Stand tend to be more family‑oriented but still fully engaged, especially during big‑game moments.
When the Potters face local rivals such as Derby County, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City, or even a promoted Premier‑League side, the match‑day intensity spikes, with higher‑priced tickets, more media coverage, and visible excitement in the concourses and outside the stadium. The club’s famous “The Potters Are On The March” and other traditional chants still feature heavily, and the enclosed nature of the stadium amplifies the noise, which can make the venue feel louder than many larger‑capacity grounds. This combination of close proximity to the pitch and passionate support is one of the reasons many fans rate Stoke City games as some of the most atmospheric in the Championship.
Ticket prices and costs
Typical ticket‑price bands
Ticket prices for Stoke City games are structured in bands that reflect age, stand, and demand, with adult, over‑65, under‑18, under‑11, and family‑ticket categories similar to other EFL‑level clubs. For Championship‑league fixtures, adult tickets in many away‑club‑ticket‑allocations for the bet365 Stadium have recently been listed around £30 for adults, with seniors (65+) often priced at about £23, under‑18s at roughly £18, and younger children (under‑11 or under‑15) at £14–£16, depending on the visit.
Home‑supporter prices tend to follow a similar pattern, with adult seats in the main‑tier‑and‑family‑areas usually ranging from around £25–£40 per match, depending on the opponent and the specific stand. Premium or closer‑to‑pitch locations can push higher, especially in the Lodge or Gladys Street areas for big‑match days, while cup‑games against Premier‑League opposition can also see a modest price‑surge due to higher demand and added‑security measures. Family‑stand and junior‑pricing tiers are often 20–30% lower than adult‑rates, making Stoke City games relatively affordable for households compared with Premier‑League venues.
How to buy tickets safely
Tickets for Stoke City games are best purchased through the club’s official channels, including the Stoke City FC website and the club’s ticket‑office facilities, either in‑person or by phone. The club’s “Matchday Tickets” section explains current‑availability, pricing, and any booking‑windows for priority‑supporters‑club members, away‑fans, and disabled‑access patrons.
Third‑party‑ticket‑comparison sites and authorised‑resale platforms sometimes list Stoke City tickets at prices that can be higher than face‑value, particularly for in‑demand fixtures like the visit of Leicester City, Ipswich, or a Premier‑League side in a cup tie. However, buying from unknown sellers or unofficial‑marketplaces can carry risks, including duplicate tickets, fraud, or being denied entry at the turnstile, so fans are generally advised to stick to direct‑club sales or clearly marked‑authorised‑partners when possible. Memberships and season‑ticket‑holders often get early‑access windows before the general‑sale phase, which can be advantageous for securing the best‑valued seats in popular stand‑sections.
Season tickets and membership
For regular attendees, season‑tickets and supporter‑club memberships offer a way to lock in attendance for most Stoke City games in a single payment, often with a discount compared with paying per‑match. The cost of a full‑season‑ticket at the bet365 Stadium typically runs in the hundreds of pounds depending on stand and view, with a spread between £300–£700+ across the different seating tiers, but many supporters view this as good value when they attend a high percentage of fixtures.
Season‑ticket‑holders usually receive benefits such as priority‑booking for cup‑tickets, early‑access to new‑season‑fixture‑sales, and sometimes exclusive‑hospitality or club‑events. The club also offers various membership‑tiers, which can include digital‑perks, newsletters, competitions, and occasional match‑tix‑discounts, helping to deepen the connection between fans and the Potters beyond just the 90‑minutes in the stadium.
Getting to the bet365 Stadium
Public transport and parking
The bet365 Stadium is located in Stoke‑on‑Trent, Staffordshire, with good regional‑transport links from major English cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and the wider Midlands. The closest main rail‑station is Stoke‑on‑Trent Station, from which fans can take a short bus or taxi ride to the stadium, with matchday‑buses and a short walk (around 15–25 minutes, depending on the stand) offering alternatives. Local‑buses and shuttle‑services often run special‑timetables for Stoke City games, and the club’s matchday‑guide usually lists recommended‑routes and approximate‑journey‑times.
Driving is another common option, with car‑parks and on‑street‑parking in the vicinity of the stadium, though matchday‑traffic and limited‑space‑around the venue mean that arriving at least 2–3 hours before kick‑off is advisable. The bet365 Stadium’s compact design and the surrounding roads can become congested, so car‑users are often encouraged to use designated car‑parks or park‑and‑ride‑style options if available. Taxi and ride‑sharing services can drop off and pick up near the stadium entrances, but local‑authorities usually warn against random‑street‑parking, which can lead to fines or towing.
Away‑supporter travel tips
Away fans attending Stoke City games generally arrive by coach, car, or train, and many English clubs organise official‑supporters’ coaches that depart from their home city and arrive at the stadium several hours before the match. These coaches often provide a safe, economical way to travel, with pre‑paid tickets and secure drop‑off points close to the stadium, and can be booked through the visiting‑club’s travel‑or‑ticketing department.
For those travelling independently, planning the route in advance and checking the club’s website for any road‑changes, road‑closures, or additional‑security checks on matchday is crucial. The Bet365 Stadium is not in a heavily residential area, but surrounding roads can still be busy, and the local‑police may implement temporary‑traffic‑controls on high‑demand days such as local‑derby‑style fixtures or cup‑matches against top‑flight‑sides. Away‑fans should also familiarise themselves with the designated away‑supporter stands and the recommended‑routes from the visitors’ entrance to the stand, to avoid confusion or long‑walks on the way to the game.
What to expect on arrival
When supporters arrive at the bet365 Stadium, they can expect a thorough but efficient security‑process, including bag‑checks, metal‑detector‑scans, and ticket‑bar‑code‑scanning at the turnstiles. The club has strict guidelines on what is allowed into the stadium, such as bans on flares, pyrotechnics, and large‑or‑rigid‑bags, which are clearly outlined on the official‑website and in matchday‑guides. Fans are encouraged to travel light and avoid bulky‑items to speed up the entry‑process, especially on busy‑days.
Inside the stadium, concourses are lined with food and drink‑kiosks, club‑merchandise‑stands, and first‑aid points, with most Centres‑and‑tuck‑shops open from shortly after the stadium opens until a short‑time after the final‑whistle. Menus typically include traditional‑matchday‑fare such as pies, burgers, hot‑dogs, chips, soft‑drinks, and alcoholic‑beverages where licenced, with vegan and vegetarian‑options increasingly on‑offer for many fixtures. Family‑sections and accessible‑areas have their own facilities, including dedicated‑restrooms and seating, which are clearly signposted within the stadium.
What to expect during a Stoke City game
Kick‑off and in‑play experience
Most Stoke City league games at the bet365 Stadium kick off at 3:00 PM on Saturdays, with midweek fixtures often set at 7:45 PM when broadcasting or scheduling requires it. The stadium‑announcer, music, and pre‑match‑chants build up the atmosphere in the half‑hour before the game, with the players’ arrival onto the pitch usually accompanied by the club’s theme‑song and crowd‑chants that have become staples of the Potters’ home‑fixture. The band of the 2000s is no longer attached, but the loud‑chanting and drum‑sections still give Stoke games a strong identity.
In‑play, the atmosphere tends to be loud and sustained, with organised‑chanting from the vocal‑sections and a strong‑sense of local‑pride, especially when the Potters are attacking or pressing for a late‑goal. The Lodge and Gladys Street stands in particular can generate noise that feels amplified by the enclosed‑stadium walls, and the compact‑design means that even mid‑table‑style fixtures can feel intense. When the team scores, the celebratory‑chants and the sound‑of the crowd often create one of the more memorable‑moments for first‑time visitors to the bet365 Stadium.
Half‑time and full‑time rituals
Half‑time at Stoke City games usually lasts around 15 minutes, during which fans can visit the concourse, queue for food and drink, or take a brief‑walk around their stand‑area. The club often plays music, sometimes mixing classic‑rock and pop‑tracks with traditional‑football‑chants, and half‑time can also be a time for visiting‑schools, youth‑teams, or local‑charities to be recognised on the big‑screen. The half‑time break rarely feels dead‑air, thanks to the constant‑curtain of fan‑noise even when the music is off.
Full‑time brings the culmination of the atmosphere, with either loud‑celebration if the Potters take the points, or resigned‑applause followed by critical‑chanting if the result is disappointing. The club’s social‑media‑team usually posts immediate‑reaction videos and highlights, while the stadium‑staff start guiding spectators out through the exits in an orderly fashion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Stoke City game?
The next Stoke City match is against Wrexham AFC on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The game will take place at the STōK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) with a kick-off time of 3:00 PM BST.
What was the result of the last Stoke City match?
Stoke City’s most recent game ended in a 1–1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on April 11, 2026. The match was held at the bet365 Stadium as part of the EFL Championship regular season.
Who is the current manager of Stoke City?
As of April 2026, the team is managed by Mark Robins. He oversees the first-team squad and was recently seen leading the post-match press conference following the draw against Blackburn.
Who is Stoke City’s top scorer for the 2025–26 season?
Sorba Thomas is currently the club’s leading goalscorer with 10 goals in the Championship. Other key contributors include Million Manhoef, who has found the net 7 times this campaign.
Where does Stoke City sit in the Championship table?
Stoke City is currently in 16th place in the EFL Championship. They have accumulated 55 points from 42 matches, with a record of 15 wins, 10 draws, and 17 losses.
What are Stoke City’s remaining fixtures in April 2026?
Following the Wrexham game, Stoke City will face Millwall at home on April 22 and Portsmouth at home on April 25. Their final game of the season is away at Bristol City on May 2.
What is the capacity of Stoke City’s stadium?
The bet365 Stadium has a seating capacity of 30,089. It has been the home of the Potters since it opened in 1997, replacing the historic Victoria Ground.
Can I buy tickets for away games at the stadium?
Tickets for away fixtures, such as the upcoming trip to Wrexham, are usually sold through the official ticket office or the club’s website. They are often prioritized for season ticket holders and members with high loyalty points.
How do I get to the bet365 Stadium on matchdays?
The stadium is easily accessible via the A50 or A500. On matchdays, shuttle buses run frequently from Stoke-on-Trent railway station and the city center (Glebe Street) directly to the ground.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–26 EFL Championship season has seen Stoke City maintain a resilient, mid-table presence under the tactical direction of Mark Robins. As of mid-April 2026, the club sits comfortably in 16th place with 55 points, effectively securing their safety and allowing the focus to shift toward internal development and summer recruitment. While the campaign has been characterized by defensive solidity—conceding just 46 goals in 42 matches—the inconsistency of their away form remains the primary hurdle preventing a surge into the top half of the table.
With the historic Racecourse Ground trip to Wrexham on the immediate horizon and a final-day clash at Bristol City looming on May 2, Stoke City fans can look forward to a high-stakes conclusion to the season. Whether it is witnessing the breakout year of Sorba Thomas or supporting the team at the famously atmospheric bet365 Stadium, “Stoke City Games” continue to offer a unique blend of heritage, grit, and the relentless drama of English football.
To Read More: Manchester Independent