How Derby County’s Pride Park capacity compares to League One rivals Bolton, Charlton, Wigan & more

Derby County enter the new season with the biggest stadium in League One, but how much bigger is Pride Park compared to their rivals?

The Rams kick off their 2023-24 campaign with a home game against relegated Wigan Athletic, as they hope for some big support in the first fixture in a potential promotion charge.

With Derby boasting the biggest capacity in the division, we looked at how the League One stadiums rank by size - and the biggest and smallest grounds Rams fans will visit this season.

1 - Pride Park, Derby County: 33,597

The Rams rock up to the new season sporting the biggest home after Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion which eliminated Hillsborough from the League One conversation. Last season, the Rams had one of the highest attendances home and away in the League and there is no reason for any change to that this year.

2 – University of Bolton Stadium, Bolton Wanderers: 28,723

Bolton boast the second biggest stadium as they are a club with a successful history, they remained in the Premier League from 2001-2012 and have the stadium to show for it.

3 – The Valley, Charlton Athletic: 27,111

Charlton hold the third biggest crowd in the division and with a stadium fit for success, they’ll hope to improve on last season’s disappointing result and try to push for a play-off place.

4 – DW Stadium, Wigan Athletic: 25,138

After returning back from the Championship, the Latics now boast the fourth biggest stadium in League One, following a period of success in the top flight, they have shown that their stadium is built for the higher leagues, but can they bounce straight back into the Championship?

5 – Madejski Stadium, Reading: 24,161

This will be Reading’s first season out of the Championship in ten years after they were relegated last season following a six-point deduction.

6 – Oakwell, Barnsley: 23,009

Barnsley very nearly had their moment of promotion last season however they lost to Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final. They are expected to be one of the front runners again, although they will need a new manager after Michael Duff’s departure for Swansea City.

7 – Fratton Park, Portsmouth: 21,100

A slight surprise to see Portsmouth this far down the list with such an iconic stadium, but due to it’s age, Fratton Park isn’t as big as many would expect. It is however still a big stadium for League One hosting a team that many expect to challenge this season.

8 – Vale Park, Port Vale: 19,052

Many wouldn’t have expected Port Vale to have such a large stadium, but they comfortably make it into the top 10 with Vale Park.

9 – Brunton Park, Carlisle United: 18,202

Another surprise at nine as newly-promoted Carlisle United have a stadium with a plus-18,000 capacity, their fans will need to get behind them if they are to fight to solidify their place in League One.

10 – Bloomfield Road, Blackpool: 17,338

Blackpool reach the top 10 as Bloomfield Road holds a capacity of more than 17,000. They were relegated from the Championship last season.

11 – London Road, Peterborough United: 14,319

Derby’s top-six rivals of last season, Peterborough miss out on the top ten but they’ll be hoping they don’t miss out on promotion again this season.

12 – Kassam Stadium, Oxford United: 12,500

The fans who attend the Kassam Stadium will be hoping for a better season this year from Oxford.

13 – Memorial Stadium, Bristol Rovers: 12,300

Bristol Rovers’ stadium almost sits right in the middle, capacity wise, in League One.

14 – Adams Park, Wycombe Wanderers: 10,300

For a team with play-off aspirations, Wycombe’s stadium is relatively small, but that will not stop them from giving promotion another good go this season.

15 – Sincil Bank, Lincoln City: 10,127

Holding just over 10,000 fans is Sincil Bank in Lincoln.

16 – The New Meadow, Shrewsbury Town: 9,875

Shrewsbury’s stadium just sits under the 10,000 mark. A team that finished last season well might be hoping for a play-off push.

17 – Brisbane Road, Leyton Orient: 9,271

Leyton Orient have the second biggest stadium of the promoted teams.

18 – St James’ Park, Exeter City: 8,541

Not to be mistaken with the St James’ Park that everyone knows in Newcastle, Exeter will also be hoping for a sneaky playoff push.

19 – The Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United: 8,127

Cambridge came close to relegation last season, fans in the Abbey Stadium will be hoping that it’s not as close a call this year.

20 – Sixfields, Northampton Town: 7,798

The third newly-promoted side, Northampton Town will be hoping they can cement their League One status.

21 – Whaddon Road, Cheltenham Town: 7,066

Cheltenham flirted with relegation last season but finished strong, they have a small stadium but that won’t stop them from battling hard again.

22 – Pirelli Stadium, Burton Albion: 6,912

Derby’s local rivals fall at the other end of the scale to the Rams in terms of capacity, at just under seven thousand. The Pirelli doesn’t boast a big size, but that’s no slight on their dedicated fans.

23 – Broadhall Way, Stevenage: 6,722

The final newly-promoted team, Stevenage finish second to last in this list.

24 – Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood Town: 5,327

The award of smallest stadium in League One goes to Fleetwood Town at just over 5,000 capacity.