Supporters travelling to DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens by car are advised that a new ANPR parking system is now in operation at Claret Car Park, while reduced matchday parking capacity remains in place across the site for the 2026/27 season.
Claret Car Park is operated and managed by West Northamptonshire Council, rather than Northampton Saints, and the Council has now introduced ANPR-controlled entry and exit barriers at the site.
The cost of parking at Claret Car Park remains £10 on Saints matchdays.
To help supporters enter and leave the car park as smoothly as possible, we strongly recommend paying for parking on arrival, rather than waiting until after the match.
How does the new system work?
On arrival at Claret Car Park, the ANPR system will read your vehicle registration and the barrier will automatically allow you to enter.
Supporters then have three options for payment:
- Pay at the on-site pay station on arrival – this is the option we strongly recommend to help provide the quickest possible exit after the match.
- Pay at the on-site pay station before leaving the car park.
- Pay by card or phone at the exit barrier when leaving.
Once payment has been made, the ANPR system will recognise your vehicle registration and allow you to exit.
Please note that the exit barrier will not open until the £10 parking charge has been paid, so supporters who leave payment until after the match may experience additional queuing.
WestPARK automatic payment
Supporters can also register for the Council’s WestPARK online payment system.
If you register your vehicle for a WestPARK account before entering the car park, payment can be taken automatically when you exit. This means there is no need to visit the pay station and should provide a quicker exit following the match.
Please don’t tailgate
Supporters are asked not to follow another vehicle closely through the entry or exit barriers.
Each vehicle’s number plate needs to be read individually by the ANPR cameras for the barriers to operate correctly, and tailgating could slow down entry or exit from the car park.
If your registration plate cannot be read by the ANPR system on arrival, press the grey button on the entry device to receive a ticket. Please retain this ticket for the duration of your stay and use it to make payment rather than entering your registration number at the pay station.
Our advice for supporters
If you are using Claret Car Park for a Saints match, we recommend:
- Arriving with plenty of time before kick-off.
- Paying the £10 charge when you arrive, rather than after the match; or
- Registering for WestPARK before travelling so payment can be taken automatically on exit.
- Allowing some additional time when arriving and leaving while supporters become familiar with the new barrier system.
- Not tailgating vehicles through the ANPR barriers.
Claret Car Park and its ANPR system are operated by West Northamptonshire Council. Northampton Saints does not manage the car park, payment system or entry and exit barriers.
What about Car Park D and other parking options?
There is no change to the arrangements at Car Park D, with supporters able to pay £10 to park on the day, subject to spaces being available.
However, supporters are reminded that matchday parking capacity around DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens remains reduced this season. Around 400 spaces previously available within Claret Car Park are no longer accessible, as the site is being used for temporary accommodation by West Northamptonshire Council.
Spaces within Claret Car Park and Car Park D for supporters without a seasonal parking pass are therefore available on a first-come, first-served basis, and Saints cannot guarantee that parking will be available.
Seasonal Car Park D passes remain valid, with a dedicated area reserved for pass holders.
Alternative parking at Sixfields
When Northampton Town FC are not playing at home on the same day, supporters can also park at the Cobblers’ West Car Park at Sixfields.
Located around a mile from the stadium, the car park is approximately a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Supporter Village and opens three hours before kick-off. Parking costs £5, payable by contactless payment on arrival. Saints seasonal parking passes are not valid there.
If Car Park D and Claret Car Park reach capacity, supporters will be directed to the Cobblers’ West Car Park when it is available.
Consider alternative ways to travel
Given the reduced amount of matchday parking available, supporters are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and consider alternative ways of travelling to DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Options include:
- BUS: Stagecoach offers weekend group travel within the Northampton area for up to five people for £6 all day. Saints Season Ticket Holders can also purchase a £5 return ticket for travel within the Northampton area on Saints matchdays.
- TRAIN: Northampton Train Station is within walking distance of the stadium.
- VOI E-SCOOTERS: Available across Northampton, with parking available on Weedon Road.
- CAR SHARING: Supporters are encouraged to share journeys wherever possible.
Supporters travelling by car are encouraged to arrive early and allow additional time for their journey, particularly for high-demand fixtures.