Family Guide

Charlton Athletic runs in the DNA of thousands of families across south-east London with generations of fans having come to support us over the last 113 years.

We are a family-friendly club, and whether it's your first visit or you are a season-ticket holder coming to see us every matchday, we want fans of all ages to have a great time whenever they come to The Valley. Click here to read our Visitors' Guide to The Valley.

In addition to the football on the pitch, there are lots of exciting and free activities for families to take part in like our pre-match Family Activity Zone where you can meet our mascots Floyd and Harvey, the opportunity to be a flag bearer - welcoming the Charlton team onto the pitch - and access to our safe and warm Fans' Bar pre and post-match.

Below is our family guide to The Valley. How to get here, information you might need arriving and departing, what to do when you get here and what activities you can get involved as a family.

We hope you and your family have a great time!

Please email fans@cafc.co.uk with any matchday enquiries.

How to get to The Valley

The Valley is located in south-east London and is very accessible by both car and public transport. The post code is SE7 8BL and you can plan your driving route to the stadium by clicking here.

Charlton station is the nearest train station, and is just a three-minute walk from The Valley. Charlton station is accessible on the London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross Dartford and Gillingham lines. Work is currently being carried out at London Bridge, so please plan your journey in advance.

London Buses 472, 486, 161, 177, 180 and 380 also stop near to The Valley and the closest tube station is North Greenwich at the 02 Arena.

North Greenwich is served by the Jubilee Line and London buses can be boarded from here, which take around 10 minutes to reach The Valley. Click here to view an interactive bus map.

How to purchase tickets

Charlton Athletic are the most affordable EFL club to watch in London, with our adult season tickets starting at just £285. In our Family Stand, U11 season tickets are free when an adult also buys a full season ticket.

We know not everyone can afford to come to see and football matches on a regular basis, so we are trying to make it possible for as many as we can. Throughout the season, the club try and run a range of promotional ticket deals: Kids for A Quid (where children pay £1 with a full paying adult) and Football For A Fiver (where all kids and adult tickets are just £5).

Please click here to purchase tickets online or call 03330 14 44 44 for more information and to purchase.

Family Activity Zone

Fan Zone

What to do if you get lost

Family stand location

Food kiosks

There are food kiosks located around the ground and in the Family Stand there is one positioned at the top of the stand as you come in. Here you can purchase hot and cold food and drinks, and sweets! Alternatively, upon entrance to the Family Stand, head down the stairs immediately in front of you and to your right to use the North Stand Lower concourse. Refreshments can be purchased from The Valley using cash or electronic payment.

Nearest toilets and baby changing facilities

The nearest toilets for supporters sitting in the Family Stand are on the North Stand Lower concourse. As you enter the stadium through the Family Stand's turnstiles, head down the stairs and then both male and female toilets are on the right-hand side.

We also have baby changing facilities available in every stand at The Valley. Please ask one of our matchday stewards for help with locating the nearest facility for you to use on a matchday.

Turnstile opening times

Flag bearing

Every match, we select 15 young fans to be flag bearers to welcome the team on to the pitch. If you are sitting in the Family Stand, look out for our official mascots, Floyd and Harvey. You'll need to be waving at them when they go around the stand to look for flag bearers.

If selected, you'll be able to carry one of our big flags and head along the front of the East Stand to rouse the crowd just before kick-off. You will be escorted to and from your seat to make sure you are safe and sound.

Match timings

Most of the time, kick-off will be at 3pm on a Saturday, while games can sometimes kick-off at 7.45pm on Tuesday evening too. The game is split into two halves of 45 minutes, with a 15-minute break for half time in between. The game's referee will add on stoppage time at the end of each half, meaning that half time will normally begin at around 3.50pm or 8.35pm on a Tuesday, with the second half starting at 4.05pm or 8.50pm on a Tuesday.

Matches normally finish just before 5pm on a Saturday and at 9.45pm on a Tuesday and then there is usually a big rush to leave the stadium as people head back either to their cars, to the train station or bus stops.

You can avoid the rush by heading into our Fans' Bar, after the game. Access to the Fans' Bar can be gained behind the North Stand and entry is free to all season ticket holders and supporters with home match tickets.

Traditions

One of the big traditions at football grounds is singing songs as a group of supporters. Usually, these chants are led by fans and one of our supporters' songs is called Valley Floyd Road and here are the words, so join in and help us to become the loudest club in London! It’s to the tune of Mull of Kintyre.

Many miles have I travelled,

Many games have I seen,

Following Charlton my favourite team,

Many hours have I spent in the Covered End Choir,

Singing Valley Floyd Road,

My only desire,

Valley Floyd Road,

The mist rolling in from the Thames, my desire,

Is always to be found at Valley Floyd Road…

What to wear

The Valley is an open arena and it is best to check the weather forecast before you come. All the stands are covered so you will be protected from the elements but the temperature can vary.

In winter, it is best to wrap up warm as you will be sitting outside for a couple of hours - the wind can sometimes make it chilly too.

When the weather gets better, many fans wear their Charlton shirts. Ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, the club signed a new multi-year partnership with Castore that saw the premium sportswear brand become the club's official kit and retail partner.

Valley Superstore

Valley Superstore – our club shop – is located at the next to the main gates of the stadium on Floyd Road. You can buy the match programme here, although there are lots of places to buy these.

Inside the shop, there are a wide array of things to buy, from replica shirts, toys and training gear to pocket-money gifts, so pay them a visit. You’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome! We have a new ‘Back to School’ range too, with prices starting from just £1!