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 120 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. We have our pre-match indoor and outdoor 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. Supporters are advised to always check their 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 O2 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 an affordable EFL club to watch in London, with our adult season tickets starting at just £395. 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 try 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).
Please click here to purchase tickets online or call 03330 14 44 44 for more information and to purchase.
Family Activity Zone
Our FREE Family Activity Zone runs every Saturday matchday between 12.30pm - 2.30pm and is a great way for young fans and families to begin their matchdays.
Located in the West Stand car park and Valley Central (opposite the club shop), there are lots of activities that take place to keep youngsters occupied.
The Valley has an indoor and outdoor Fan Zones are opening for every men's home game throughout the season and offers the perfect place for kids to have some fun before kick-off.
The area features a Sock-Goal for mini footballing games, as well as a stage, garden games, and various food options to keep kids occupied.
The indoor Fan Zone is also open across men's home matchdays, with pool, table football, table tennis and gaming consoles to keep all kids entertained. The club also runs themed activations throughout the season in the indoor Fan Zone, and Floyd and Harvey often pay a visit.
What to do if you get lost
If an unaccompanied child requires assistance outside of the stadium, they are encouraged to make their way to our West Stand reception.
If an unaccompanied child requires assistance once inside the stadium, they are advised to find their nearest steward who will assist with any issues.
Family stand location
The Valley's Family Stand, built in 2001, is located in the north-east quadrant of the stadium and affords a great view of the pitch. The Family Stand is populated with Addicks young and old and also receives regular visits from mascots Floyd and Harvey, who are always happy to pose for photos!
Food kiosks
There are food kiosks located externally in the Fan Zone and around the ground. In the Family Stand, there is one positioned at the top of the stand as you come in on the right-hand side adjacent to the stairs. 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 card payment only.
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
You will be able to gain entry to The Valley around 90 minutes before kick-off. Please note, once inside the stadium all of our programme and refreshment kiosks are card. We are a cashless stadium.
Flag bearing
Every match, we select a number of lucky 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, who will be around to say hello.
If selected, you'll be able to carry one of our big flags and head along the front of the Alan Curbishley 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
Kick-off times can often vary in the Championship.
Usually games will take place on a Saturday at 3pm, but they can also be moved to 12.30pm and 5.30pm on occasions.
Midweek fixtures also take place, more often than not on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. Most evening kick-offs will be either 7.45pm or 8pm.
. 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.
Matches normally finish just before 5pm on a Saturday and at 9.45pm or 10pm on a Tuesday. 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…
Billy Cotton's Red Red Robin will be played ahead of kick-off, as the two teams walk out of the tunnel.
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 2026/27 campaign, the club relaunched the clubshop website, which you can visit here.
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 them in and around the stadium.
Inside the shop, there is a wide-array of things to buy. From the 2026/27 kits, to leisurewear, to toys and jigsaws, you will find a vast range of Charlton themed items.