Buy Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the Premier League fixture set for Saturday 5 December 2026 and a 15:00 kick-off. The slot is a standard Saturday afternoon start for now, though December broadcast picks can move games, so treat the time as provisional. Matchweek 14 on the banks of the Trent tends to be cold, loud and tight, which is exactly how Forest supporters like it.
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The City Ground holds around 30,500 supporters, and Nottingham Forest have sold out almost every league game since returning to the top flight in 2022. With a season ticket waiting list running past 12,000 names, match-by-match availability through the club is thin.
That makes planning ahead important for anyone outside the membership system. Below you will find how the sale works, what drives resale prices, where each set of supporters sits and what the Premier League record between the clubs looks like.
Forest have become one of the harder tickets in the division. Home league games regularly sell out through membership sales alone, and the ground is among the smaller Premier League venues, which keeps supply tight whoever the visitors are.
Brighton add their own edge. The clubs have produced some remarkable scorelines since first meeting in the league in 2022, including a 7-0 Forest win in February 2025 that stands as their record Premier League victory, and a Brighton win at the City Ground the following season. Supporters on both sides now arrive expecting goals.
The visitors take an allocation of around 3,000 for a Premier League fixture, and demand from the south coast is steady despite the distance. Many travelling fans who miss out on the away end look for seats elsewhere in the ground, which adds to competition for general availability.
There is a longer-term factor too. Rushcliffe Borough Council approved the redevelopment of the Peter Taylor Stand in September 2026, a scheme that would take the ground towards 45,000 in its first phase. Construction is not expected to start before summer 2027, so this season still offers the City Ground in its familiar form.
The return match at the Amex Stadium follows in May 2027, and supporters who want to see both fixtures often book the Nottingham date first, since it is the harder of the two to secure.
Winter dates carry extra weight at this ground. The Trent End is at its loudest under floodlights or on a grey December afternoon, and Forest have built a strong home record since promotion, which keeps local demand high across the second half of the season.
International interest has grown as well. Premier League coverage reaches viewers across the Gulf, Asia and North America, and visitors who want a traditional English ground rather than a modern bowl often pick Nottingham. Those buyers compete for the same small pool of seats as regulars without a membership.
Rarely through the club. Forest sell home tickets in staggered windows that run through their MyForest membership tiers, starting with Pro members, then Plus, then Core, Junior Reds and International Reds. Each window opens at 10am on successive days and is limited to one ticket per customer number.
After those windows, the club opens a ballot to all MyForest members, with applications capped at six names and every applicant needing a membership. Ballot winners get a purchase window, and any seats left over go to a second sale. A true general sale for non-members seldom happens for a Premier League fixture.
Membership itself is not a quick fix. Upgrades between tiers have been allocated by ballot, and the higher tiers can be closed to new applicants, so joining in November for a December game rarely works.
The club's Ticket Exchange, where season card holders release seats at face value, is the main fallback. It only opens once general admission has sold out and closes 90 minutes before kick-off, which makes it unreliable for anyone booking travel. A verified resale marketplace with listings already live is the more practical route for buyers who need certainty weeks ahead.
Group bookings are harder still through club channels. Membership windows limit purchases to one ticket per customer number, and the ballot caps applications at six names, all of whom must hold memberships. Marketplace listings of pairs and fours remove that problem for friends and families travelling together.
Five factors shape resale prices for this fixture in the 2026/27 season: seat location, overall demand, how close you buy to the match, the competition context and whether you want hospitality. Forest price their home games in categories, with adult tickets for the top bracket running from roughly £50 to £70 through the club, and resale values sit above that once a category sells out.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier / less central | £80 – £130 | Budget-conscious fans | Corner and end seats; still close in a compact ground |
| Longside standard | £110 – £180 | First-time visitors | Brian Clough Stand seats with a full view of the pitch |
| Lower tier / central | £150 – £250+ | Fans wanting close action | Front rows sit tight to the touchline on both longsides |
| Premium seating | £200 – £320+ | Couples and small groups | Central Peter Taylor Stand seats near the halfway line |
| Hospitality / VIP | £300 – £600+ | Corporate guests and celebrations | Lounge access with dining; limited per-match availability |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Pairs and groups of four seated together usually cost more per ticket than singles, because Forest's sales system releases single seats far more often than blocks. Prices tend to firm once the television picks are confirmed and again in the final week.
Junior and senior prices through the club are lower, but resale listings rarely carry concession pricing, so plan on adult rates when budgeting for a family trip. If you are flexible, seats in the upper corners of the ground offer the widest gap between price and view.
The size of the ground explains much of the pricing. With around 30,500 seats and a waiting list past 12,000, Forest have far less spare capacity than clubs with 60,000-seat stadiums, so resale values here run above what the same category would cost at a larger venue. Expect that gap to stay wide until the redevelopment adds seats later this decade, since every extra sell-out pushes more buyers towards the resale market rather than the club.
The ground has four stands. The Brian Clough Stand and the Peter Taylor Stand run along the touchlines, with the Trent End behind one goal and the Bridgford Stand behind the other. Away supporters sit in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand. Study the City Ground seating plan before you choose a block.
Every stand is close to the pitch, a legacy of the ground's riverside setting and tight footprint. More listings for other matches here sit under City Ground tickets.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Taylor Stand (central) | Premium buyers and first-time visitors | Premium | Main stand side with the closest central views |
| Brian Clough Stand (lower) | Fans wanting close action | Mid to premium | Longside seats tight to the touchline; hospitality areas sit in this stand |
| Brian Clough Stand (upper) | Neutral buyers and families | Mid | Raised view that shows the shape of the game |
| Trent End | Home fans who want noise | Lower to mid | The loudest home end, with singing from kick-off |
| Bridgford Stand (upper) | Home fans on a tighter budget | Lower | Sits above the away section, so expect a lively mix of noise |
| Away section (Bridgford lower) | Brighton supporters | Lower to mid | Blocks W1, W2, X1, X2 and Y1, around 3,000 places, with its own ticket office in the Brian Clough Stand |
Neutral buyers are best placed in the Brian Clough Stand, where colours matter less and the view takes in both penalty areas. Brighton supporters outside the away end should keep blue and white out of sight in home areas. Families often prefer the upper tier of the longside, where the atmosphere is strong but less intense than the Trent End.
The City Ground is all-seater, and children under four are not admitted. Younger supporters must be accompanied by an adult, and photo ID may be requested for concession tickets, so bring it if your listing mentions a junior or senior seat.
Accessible positions are allocated separately and are not always transferable, so contact the seller before buying if you need one. The club's ticket office can also advise on accessible parking, which has to be booked ahead of matchday.
The Bridgford Stand sits beside a main road, and a small number of seats in that corner of the ground carry a restricted view. Listings usually flag this, but it is worth confirming with the seller if you are buying at that end.
December weather on the Trent can be raw, with wind coming off the river even when the sky is clear. Most seats sit under cover, though the front rows of the open corners catch rain, so pack a warm layer and a waterproof for a 15:00 kick-off that finishes near dusk.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Premium seat package | Couples marking an occasion | A padded central seat with a light food and drink offer |
| Lounge package | Small business groups | Pre-match dining, drinks and a seat in the main stand areas |
| Premium lounge | Clients and corporate guests | Table service, a fuller menu and post-match access |
| Executive box | Company groups | A private space with catering and seats directly outside |
Forest run their hospitality from the longside stands, and much of the capacity is committed to season-long clients. Match-day packages for league fixtures do appear, but the number is small in a ground of this size, so they tend to go early.
Hospitality guests usually have lounge access well before kick-off and for a period after the final whistle. On a December afternoon that extra time is worth having, as the streets around Trent Bridge fill quickly when the crowd leaves.
Dress codes are generally smart casual. Packages cover the whole afternoon rather than just the seat, which can make them better value for a group than buying several premium seats and arranging food separately in West Bridgford.
Availability tends to be better for mid-table league fixtures than for visits from the most in-demand clubs, which makes a game like this a sensible choice for a first hospitality visit to the City Ground. Book as soon as a package appears, since the lounges here are small compared with newer stadiums.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket (QR code) | That the code loads in your phone wallet, since Forest home tickets are issued digitally |
| E-ticket (PDF) | The block, row, seat and turnstile details printed on the ticket |
| Paper ticket by courier | Your delivery address, dispatch window and whether someone can sign for it |
| Local collection | The exact meeting point in Nottingham, the time slot and the seller's contact details |
Read the listing notes before you pay, as they state the delivery method, any age limits and whether seats are together. Home tickets are digital for the 2026/27 season, so charge your phone before you set off and download the ticket in advance, as signal drops when the ground fills.
Turnstiles open 90 minutes before kick-off and most close shortly after the game starts, with no re-entry once you are inside. The stadium is cashless, so bring a bank card for food and drink.
Bag rules are strict. Rucksacks, holdalls and backpacks of any size are refused, and only one small bag no larger than A4 is allowed per person. There is no left-luggage facility at the ground, so leave anything larger at your hotel or in your car.
The City Ground sits a short walk from Nottingham station across Trent Bridge, which makes rail the easiest option. Parking nearby is limited and West Bridgford streets fill early, so allow extra time if you drive.
Pre-match options are plentiful. The pubs along Trent Bridge and around West Bridgford fill from lunchtime, and the walk from the city centre along the river takes around 25 minutes. Arriving early also avoids the queues at the turnstiles, which build quickly in the last half hour before kick-off. Away supporters have their own ticket office in the Brian Clough Stand, a short walk from the visiting section, which is useful if a collection needs sorting on the day.
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Step1
Find the fixture
Open the match listing for Forest against Brighton on 5 December 2026 and review the seat map to see which stands have tickets available.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with your email address so you can manage orders and receive updates if the kick-off time changes.
Step3
Choose your area
Filter by stand, price or number of tickets. Home fans should avoid the Bridgford lower tier, and Brighton supporters without an away ticket should favour neutral longside seats.
Step4
Read the listing notes
Confirm the block, row details, delivery method and whether seats are together before adding them to your basket.
Step5
Select your quantity
Pick the number of tickets you need. Pairs and fours together are scarce at this ground, so decide early if you are travelling as a group.
Step6
Enter attendee details
Add the names and contact details requested at checkout, using details that match each guest's photo ID.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment through the encrypted checkout. Your order confirmation arrives by email straight away.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to follow dispatch and delivery until your tickets arrive before matchday.
Forest tickets rarely come at a low price, but a few habits help buyers find stronger value without giving up a good view of the pitch.
East Midlands Airport is the closest gateway, with Birmingham and Manchester also within reach by rail. Nottingham station sits a short walk from the ground, which makes train travel simple for visitors arriving from London or the north. Overseas buyers should choose mobile or e-ticket delivery wherever possible, as posted tickets can take longer to reach addresses outside the United Kingdom.
If a listing only offers local collection, confirm the meeting point before booking hotels. Ask for seats together at checkout if you are travelling as a group, and remember that Premier League kick-off times move for television, usually confirmed a couple of months ahead. Book flexible travel and allow a night either side of the game.
Brighton supporters face one of the longer trips in the division, with the journey from the south coast taking well over three hours by road or rail. Many travel on the day and head straight back, so seats on late trains out of Nottingham are worth booking early, particularly on a Saturday when services fill with shoppers as well as supporters. Supporters planning the return fixture can line it up with Brighton vs Nottingham Forest in May 2027.
These clubs had never met in the Premier League before October 2022, when Forest returned to the top flight after 23 years away. What the fixture lacks in history it has made up for in drama, with only two of the eight league meetings so far ending level.
The defining night came in February 2025, when Forest won 7-0 at the City Ground for their record Premier League victory. Brighton have answered with wins of their own, including a 3-2 success in Nottingham in November 2023 and a 2-0 win at the same ground in November 2025, which makes the December date an obvious one for supporters who remember both.
What sets this fixture apart is the swing. Four of the eight meetings have produced three goals or more, and the sides have alternated between comfortable results and tight finishes with no settled pattern. For buyers, that unpredictability is part of the appeal.
The two clubs also share a recent habit of meeting in cup competitions, which has added extra edge to their league games. Neither set of supporters now treats this as a routine fixture, and that shows in how quickly seats disappear.
The wider context matters too. Forest spent 23 years outside the top flight before 2022 and have since become an established Premier League side, while Brighton have grown from promotion in 2017 into regular contenders for Europe. Both sets of supporters treat these meetings as a measure of progress rather than a routine fixture on the calendar.
The City Ground has hosted only four Premier League meetings between these sides, so the figures below widen the scope to all Premier League meetings between the clubs across both grounds, from October 2022 onwards.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 8 |
| Nottingham Forest wins | 2 |
| Brighton wins | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Nottingham Forest goals | 15 |
| Brighton goals | 11 |
| Biggest Nottingham Forest win | 7-0 (1 Feb 2025) |
| Biggest Brighton win | 2-0 (30 Nov 2025) |
| First Premier League meeting | 18 Oct 2022 |
| Most recent meeting | 1 Mar 2026 |
Source: Premier League match records and ESPN match data, verified against Sky Sports, Sports Mole and StatMuse.
All results are shown with the home side's score first, newest meeting at the top.
| Date | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Mar 2026 | Amex Stadium | Brighton 2-1 Nottingham Forest |
| 30 Nov 2025 | City Ground | Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brighton |
| 01 Feb 2025 | City Ground | Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton |
| 22 Sep 2024 | Amex Stadium | Brighton 2-2 Nottingham Forest |
| 10 Mar 2024 | Amex Stadium | Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest |
| 25 Nov 2023 | City Ground | Nottingham Forest 2-3 Brighton |
| 26 Apr 2023 | City Ground | Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brighton |
| 18 Oct 2022 | Amex Stadium | Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest |
Source: Premier League match records, ESPN, Sky Sports, Sports Mole and StatMuse. Each score confirmed by at least two independent sources.
Buying early gives the widest choice, as club sales run through membership windows and leave little for anyone else.
Visiting supporters are in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand, with an allocation of roughly 3,000 for league games.
Only one small bag no larger than A4 per person, and rucksacks are refused, with no storage available at the ground.
Yes, home tickets are issued as digital codes for the phone wallet this season, so arrive with a charged handset.
International buyers can order in the same way as local fans, and digital delivery avoids waiting on international post.
Sources: Premier League official fixture and match data, Nottingham Forest official away supporters' guide and ticketing information, Rushcliffe Borough Council planning coverage, ESPN, Sky Sports, Sports Mole, StatMuse and Football Ground Guide.