Buy Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace tickets for the 2026/27 Season. The Premier League fixture is scheduled for Saturday 8 May 2027 at the City Ground, with kick-off currently set for 15:00 UK time. Broadcast selections for May are confirmed several weeks ahead, so the date can still move within that weekend.
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This is one of the final home games of the season, played by the Trent in early May with plenty still riding on the result. Nottingham Forest fill a ground of just over 30,000 almost every week, which means the open market for a late-season Saturday is narrow before it even starts.
Palace arrive as one of the most decorated sides of the last two seasons, with the 2025 FA Cup and the 2026 Conference League in the cabinet. That pedigree has lifted their away following as well as the neutral interest in watching them. Expect this to be a tighter ticket than the fixture would have been five years ago.
Crystal Palace bring a large, organised away support to the City Ground. Their allocation of around 3,000 is filled through a loyalty points system, so it clears among long-standing members well before general fans get a look. Palace supporters without a strong points history are pushed towards the wider market.
The home side's numbers tell the same story. The Palace visit in February 2026 drew 30,334. Forest's average gate sits close to capacity across a full season. Members and season ticket holders absorb most of the ground before any seat is released for public sale.
There is also an edge to this one. Palace came from behind to win 3-1 at Selhurst Park on 11 October 2026, the first meeting of the season, so Forest supporters have a result to answer. The return game at the City Ground is the chance to do it in front of their own crowd.
Palace's European commitments add another variable. As Conference League holders they are in the Europa League this season, so a run into the spring would mean Thursday nights abroad before a Saturday trip to Nottingham. That uncertainty keeps some holders from releasing seats until the schedule is settled.
Timing compounds the squeeze. A sunny Saturday in May, one of the last home dates of the campaign, draws supporters who skip winter fixtures. Holders who might release a seat for a cold Tuesday night are far less likely to give up this one.
Both clubs have changed a great deal since the 1990s meetings. Forest have become established Premier League hosts again with European nights at the ground, while Palace have added major silverware. The stakes on a May afternoon are higher now than at any point in this fixture's Premier League history.
Not easily through the club. Forest sell to season ticket holders first, followed by members in priority sale windows. For a Premier League fixture in May, general sale rarely happens at all.
Membership itself is no guarantee. It buys access to a sale window, not a seat. For popular fixtures the members' sale can clear quickly. Visitors who join only for one match frequently find they still miss out.
The secondary market solves that problem. Seats appear when holders who cannot attend release them, so inventory keeps surfacing through the spring rather than in one window. You need no membership, no purchase history and no UK address to buy.
Palace supporters face a similar wall at their own club. The away loyalty thresholds for popular trips often stay high until the allocation sells out, which is why many Palace fans buy in home or neutral areas instead. If that is your plan, keep colours covered and sit quietly when Palace score.
Five things move the price for this match: where you sit, overall demand, how close to kick-off you buy, the late-season context of an early-May fixture and whether you want hospitality. In the 2026/27 market a Palace visit sits above a routine home game at the City Ground but below the elite visitors, which shows in the resale ranges below.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier / less central | £60 – £95 | Fans who want to be inside the ground at the lowest outlay | Corners and upper sections. Further from the action but the full pitch is in view |
| Longside standard | £75 – £130 | Most neutrals and first-time visitors | Peter Taylor Stand and side sections of the Brian Clough Stand, side-on to the play |
| Lower tier / central | £95 – £160 | Buyers who want to be close to the touchline | Central lower blocks near the halfway line. These go first among standard seats |
| Premium seating | £150 – £240 | A better seat without a full hospitality package | Padded central seats in the Brian Clough Stand, sometimes with lounge access |
| Hospitality / VIP | £200 – £500+ | Corporate guests and celebrations | Released in small numbers and quick to sell for a Saturday fixture |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
For context, Forest's home listings this season run from routine fixtures in the £60 range up to the Manchester City visit, which opens above £250. This match sits nearer the lower end of that spread, rising once the broadcast slot is confirmed and travel plans firm up.
Prices for a May fixture tend to move in three phases. Early listings appear months out at moderate levels, the market firms once the broadcast picks are announced and the final week depends on how many holders release late. Groups who need seats together should buy in the first phase.
Bear in mind what the price buys. The City Ground is compact enough that even upper-tier seats feel close to the pitch, so the step up from the lower bracket to the central bracket is about angle and comfort rather than the ability to see the game. For many buyers the Peter Taylor Stand is the sweet spot.
The City Ground is compact, so there are few genuinely poor views. The choice is mainly about atmosphere, angle and price. Each of the four stands has a different character.
The Trent End sits behind the goal nearest the river and holds Forest's most vocal support. The Brian Clough Stand is the two-tier main side with premium seating, while the Peter Taylor Stand is the older single tier opposite. Check any listing's block against the City Ground seating plan before you buy, as a stand name alone tells you little about row height or angle.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Clough Stand, central | The clearest all-round view | Highest | Two tiers along the side with premium and hospitality seating. The upper tier gives an elevated view of shape and space |
| Peter Taylor Stand | Value with a side-on view | Mid | The older main stand opposite. Closer to pitch level, with more character than comfort |
| Trent End | Noise and home atmosphere | Mid | Behind the goal by the river, where Forest's singing support gathers. Home colours only |
| Bridgford Stand, home sections | Families and quieter groups | Lower to mid | Behind the far goal, home to the family area. Calmer than the Trent End |
| Corners and upper rows | Lower-priced access | Lower | Often the last inventory available for a high-demand Saturday. Angles are wider but the ground is compact |
| Away section, Bridgford Stand | Crystal Palace supporters | Fixed allocation | Segregated seats entered through turnstiles 41 to 53. Front rows can be exposed in wet weather, so aim a few rows back |
Families should look at the Bridgford Stand first. The family area sits there, the atmosphere is calmer than the Trent End and children are usually seated with the adult on the booking. Check the listing for any age rules before you pay, since junior seats can carry conditions.
Neutral buyers and Palace fans sitting in home areas should keep colours out of sight. The Brian Clough Stand and the Peter Taylor Stand are the most relaxed choices for a mixed group, while the Trent End is best left to Forest supporters. Every fixture played at the ground is collected under City Ground if you are planning more than one trip.
Hospitality at the City Ground sits mainly in the Brian Clough Stand. Packages run from a padded seat with lounge access to full dining and private boxes. Forest have long-standing plans to expand the ground, a sign of how stretched premium capacity is today.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Premium seat with lounge | Couples and solo buyers wanting comfort | A central padded seat with access to a bar before kick-off and at half time |
| Dining package | Celebrations and client entertaining | A pre-match meal with drinks included and a central seat close to the halfway line |
| Executive box | Businesses and private groups | A private space with hosted service and a view straight onto the pitch |
| Group package | Larger parties travelling together | Seats kept together with catering arranged in one booking |
Hospitality for a Saturday fixture in May reaches the resale market less often than standard seats. Corporate holders tend to use their allocation for late-season games, when entertaining outdoors is easiest. If a package suits your budget, buy it when it appears.
Before booking, confirm exactly what is included: lounge opening time, whether drinks continue through half time and if a dress code applies. A hospitality seat also guarantees a central view, which removes any guesswork about angle.
| Delivery Type | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Mobile or e-ticket | That the transfer reaches the email used at checkout. Load it into your phone wallet or the club app before you leave |
| Print-at-home PDF | Whether the listing requires a printed copy. A saved screenshot may fail to scan at the turnstile |
| Postal or courier | That the delivery address is one you will be at, with enough time for shipping |
| Collection in Nottingham | The meeting point and time window confirmed in advance, plus photo ID matching the booking name |
Read the listing notes before you pay, since they confirm the delivery method, block and whether seats are together. Bring valid photo ID on the day and charge your phone fully if the ticket is digital. Turn the screen brightness up at the turnstile, as that is when most scanning problems happen.
Digital tickets for Premier League fixtures are often transferred only in the final days before the match. That is normal and no reason for concern, provided the listing confirms the delivery window. If nothing has arrived 48 hours before kick-off, contact support rather than waiting until matchday.
Turnstiles usually open 90 minutes or more before kick-off. Bags larger than A4 are generally refused with no storage at the ground, so travel light. The entrances are busiest in the final half hour.
Nottingham station is around a 20-minute walk, across the river via London Road and Trent Bridge. Parking near the ground is very limited with residents' restrictions enforced on matchdays, so the tram or a city-centre car park is the better option. Palace supporters can use The Nest, the away fan zone on the walking route, before heading into the Bridgford Stand.
The setting is part of the appeal. The City Ground sits on the south bank of the Trent beside Trent Bridge cricket ground, with Notts County's Meadow Lane just across the river, making it the closest pair of league grounds in England. On a dry May afternoon the riverside walk from the city centre is one of the more pleasant approaches to any Premier League stadium.
After the final whistle the crowd heads back over Trent Bridge at once, so expect a slow walk for the first 20 minutes. Visitors catching an early train should allow for that or wait for the queues to thin.
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Step1
Open the fixture listing
Start from this match rather than a general Forest search. You land straight on inventory for Saturday 8 May 2027 and nothing else.
Step2
Set up your account
Take a minute to create an account before seats appear. Your details are stored ready, which saves time when a good listing lands.
Step3
Choose your stand
Decide between the Brian Clough Stand, the Peter Taylor Stand and the ends before comparing prices. Your choice of stand shapes the atmosphere more than the exact row.
Step4
Read the listing in full
Look at the block, row, delivery method and any note on restricted views. A few older sections have quirks a stand name will not reveal.
Step5
Confirm the quantity
Filter for the exact number of seats you need. Two listings of two will not necessarily put four people side by side.
Step6
Compare the full total
Checkout shows the complete cost including fees and delivery before you pay. Compare that figure across listings rather than the headline seat price.
Step7
Pay securely
Payment runs through an encrypted checkout and your confirmation arrives straight away. Keep it handy until the tickets reach you.
Step8
Follow your order to delivery
Use track order to see progress from seller to you. For a May fixture booked months out, tickets are often released closer to the date, which is normal.
Value at the City Ground comes from timing and seat choice rather than luck. These five habits separate buyers who pay a fair price from those who pay a late premium.
If the budget is fixed, decide your ceiling before you start browsing. Listings move quickly once May approaches. Buyers who know their limit are far less likely to overpay in a rush.
Nottingham is an easy match trip. East Midlands Airport is around 15 miles away with links across Europe, while direct trains from London St Pancras reach Nottingham in under two hours. Overseas buyers should favour mobile or e-ticket delivery, which removes any reliance on international post. Groups who need to sit together should filter for the full quantity rather than piecing together separate listings.
The bigger risk is the date. A Saturday 15:00 listing can move to Sunday once broadcasters make their picks, while a deep Europa League run for Palace could also shift the fixture. Book flexible travel or wait for confirmation before committing to flights. Palace supporters travelling from south London face a round trip of around 260 miles, so a Sunday switch matters as much to them as to anyone flying in.
Forest and Palace have only met six times in the Premier League at the City Ground, yet the pattern is striking. Forest have never lost one of those games, winning three and drawing three. Palace have scored in every draw but have never found a winning goal here in the Premier League era.
The fixture returned in 2022/23 after a gap of nearly 28 years, with Forest's promotion bringing the clubs back together. Each of the four meetings since has been decided by a single goal or ended level, with Palace taking the lead only once. Late drama is the norm: a missed Palace penalty in 2022 and a first-half stoppage-time Palace penalty in 2026 both shaped the result.
What makes this fixture distinctive is how little separates the sides. Six meetings have produced only nine goals, so a single moment usually decides it. That makes the result hard to call, which keeps neutral interest high and seats in demand. Palace's 3-1 win in October in the Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest meeting adds a fresh grievance for the home crowd.
Every figure below covers Premier League meetings at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest as hosts, from 1993 to the most recent visit in February 2026. Cup ties and meetings outside the top flight are excluded, so the table reflects only the competition this match is played in.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 6 |
| Nottingham Forest wins | 3 |
| Crystal Palace wins | 0 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Nottingham Forest goals | 6 |
| Crystal Palace goals | 3 |
| Biggest Nottingham Forest win | 1-0 (12 Nov 2022, 21 Oct 2024 and 2 Jan 1995) |
| Biggest Crystal Palace win | None in scope |
| First Premier League meeting in scope | 3 Mar 1993 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 1 Feb 2026 |
Figures are calculated from the match-by-match record below, cross-checked against Transfermarkt and Premier League match data.
Forest have kept a clean sheet in half of these meetings while averaging exactly one goal a game. Palace's three goals have all come in draws. For a buyer, that points to a tight, low-scoring contest in which one goal often settles it.
Crowds tell their own story. The first meeting in this list drew 20,603 in March 1993; the most recent drew 30,334, a rise of almost half. Every one of the four meetings since 2022 has attracted more than 29,000, which is why seats for this fixture now behave like those for a much bigger name.
All six league meetings at the ground, newest first, with Forest's score shown first. The long gap between 1995 and 2022 reflects the years when the two clubs were rarely in the top flight at the same time.
| Date | Score |
|---|---|
| 1 Feb 2026 | 1-1 |
| 21 Oct 2024 | 1-0 |
| 30 Mar 2024 | 1-1 |
| 12 Nov 2022 | 1-0 |
| 2 Jan 1995 | 1-0 |
| 3 Mar 1993 | 1-1 |
Every result verified against at least two independent sources, including Transfermarkt and Premier League match data.
No. Resale seats come from holders who cannot attend, so you can buy without any club membership or purchase history.
Buy once your travel dates are settled, ideally before the broadcast picks for May are announced. Prices for late-season Saturdays tend to rise after that point.
In a segregated section of the Bridgford Stand behind the goal. Anyone wearing Palace colours should avoid the home ends.
Yes, provided you choose a digital listing or allow enough time for courier delivery. Every listing states its delivery method before you pay.
Packages range from a padded seat with bar access to a full meal and private boxes. Inclusions vary by listing, so read the description before you commit.
Sources: Nottingham Forest official website (nottinghamforest.co.uk), Crystal Palace FC, Premier League (premierleague.com), Transfermarkt, Leeds United away travel guidance and To The 92 ground guide.