Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: A Game-Day Guide

Most London Lions fans arrive at the Copper Box, watch the game and head home. But the arena sits in the middle of one of London's largest parks, with attractions, playgrounds, waterways and food all within walking distance. This guide explains what's in the park, how to fit it around a game, and where to eat before and after. Some men's domestic games are played at NCC Hackney instead, so always check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel.

What's in the park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was created for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's free to visit every day, and it's in Zone 2, about seven minutes by train from Liverpool Street.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

The red sculpture-tower beside London Stadium has two viewing platforms over east London and a tunnel slide for ages eight and up. Tickets are limited, so book in advance.

London Aquatics Centre

Designed for the 2012 Games, the Aquatics Centre is open for public swimming, including family and casual sessions. Check session times before you go.

Lee Valley VeloPark

The VeloPark offers track cycling, BMX and mountain biking for different abilities. It's a good option for active groups and teenagers before an evening game.

East Bank

The park's cultural quarter includes V&A East, Sadler's Wells East and university campuses. It's a good choice for a rainy afternoon.

Playgrounds

Tumbling Bay Playground and the park's other play areas are free and ideal for young children before an afternoon game.

Before the game

Planning your journey? Our guide to getting to the Copper Box Arena covers routes and step-free options, so you arrive with time to spare.

Food and drink

Hackney Bridge and Hackney Wick

Hackney Bridge, on the Hackney Wick side of the park, has food stalls and a bar a few minutes from the arena. Beyond it, Hackney Wick has canal-side bars, breweries and independent restaurants.

Westfield Stratford City

On the Stratford side of the park, Westfield Stratford City has a wide choice of restaurants under cover, which is useful in bad weather and convenient for Stratford station.

In the park

The park has cafés and restaurants, including riverside options and spots along Aquatics Walk, and around Here East and East Village.

Inside the arena

Food and drink are on sale inside the Copper Box, which is cashless. You can't bring in your own food or drink, so picnics belong in the park, not the arena.

Families in the park

For families, the park makes a game day into a full day out. Children can burn off energy in the playgrounds before an afternoon game, and the waterways are good for a walk or a scoot. At the Copper Box, children aged two and under go free, and every child aged three or over needs a ticket. Our Family Game Day page covers tickets, seats and tips for families, and in the school holidays our guide to half-term in London has more ideas.

Getting around

Getting to the park

• Hackney Wick (London Overground) is about five minutes' walk from the Copper Box.
• Stratford (Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, DLR, Overground and National Rail) is about 15 minutes' walk.
• Stratford International (Southeastern high-speed and DLR) is about 10 minutes' walk.
• Bus 388 stops outside the arena.

Within the park

The park has wide, traffic-free paths that are easy to walk, cycle or scoot. There are more than 140 cycle racks outside the Copper Box and a Santander Cycles docking station nearby. The park's plan your visit page has maps and accessibility information.

Accessibility

Stratford station has step-free access to its main platforms. The Copper Box is a registered accessible venue with accessible toilets and changing rooms, and there is limited accessible parking at the front of the arena.

A tip for visitors

Visiting London? Our Visit London page explains how to fit a game and the park into a trip.

The park through the seasons

A game-day walking route

If you arrive at Stratford, walk through or around Westfield Stratford City into the park, past the London Aquatics Centre and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, then follow the signs to the Copper Box on the Hackney Wick side. It takes about 15 minutes at a relaxed pace, and you'll pass most of the park's landmarks on the way. If you arrive at Hackney Wick, the arena is about five minutes away, with Hackney Bridge and the canals close by for food before the game.

The park with groups

For birthdays, hen and stag dos and team socials, the park gives groups space to meet and activities to fill the time before a game. Choose one meeting point, such as Stratford station or Hackney Bridge, and plan an activity, food and the game in that order.

A park built for the 2012 Games

Many of the park's venues were built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Copper Box, the London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and London Stadium all hosted Olympic events, which gives a game day here a sense of history.

Rainy-day game days

The park is at its best in good weather, but a wet day doesn't have to spoil a game day. The London Aquatics Centre, the East Bank's venues, Westfield Stratford City and the Copper Box itself are all indoors and within walking distance of each other. Plan an indoor activity and a meal under cover, and you can stay dry until tip-off.

Bringing a group

For larger groups, choose one meeting point, such as Stratford station or Hackney Bridge, and agree a time. The park's open spaces make it easy to gather before walking to the arena together, and the Copper Box's doors open 60 minutes before tip-off.

Game-day checklist

• Book game tickets and any attraction, such as the Orbit, in advance.
• Plan to arrive two to three hours before tip-off if you want to explore.
• Pack light: bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller at the Copper Box, with no bag storage.
• Bring a card or phone, because the arena is cashless.
• Agree a meeting point if you're with a group.

However you spend it, a game day in the park works best with a little planning: book the main things, leave time to wander and arrive at the arena when doors open.