Welcome back to Blundell Park for our first Sky Bet League Two home fixture of the 2026/27 season as we welcome Exeter City to the home of the Mariners.
After opening the campaign with a Carabao Cup tie against Blackpool last weekend, David Artell’s side now turn their attention to league action as Town look to make a positive start in front of another bumper crowd at Blundell Park.
With plenty to look forward to around the ground, we’ve pulled together all the key information you’ll need ahead of kick-off, including stadium access, turnstile opening times, ticket details, food and drink outlets, entertainment, travel and parking, and everything else supporters need to know before arriving at Blundell Park.
We encourage all supporters to arrive in plenty of time to avoid queues and enjoy everything on offer around the ground.
Ahead of kick-off, David Artell shared his thoughts on the start of the new league campaign and Town’s ambitions for the season:
Opening Times
9am: Ticket Office & Club Shop opens
12pm: The Fan Zone and Lower Bar open to supporters
1:30pm: Turnstiles open
3pm: Kick Off
Ticket News
7,128 home tickets have been sold for this fixture, with seats around the ground now extremely limited but still available. You can purchase online or from the Ticket Office, which will be open until kick-off.
We’d like to remind fans to enter Blundell Park by the entrance stated on their ticket to avoid any delays.
Remembering Alex Hughes
Before kick-off tomorrow, we will come together to remember our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes, who sadly passed away earlier this summer.
Alex’s family will be in attendance, and supporters are invited to join players, staff and fellow Mariners in a minute’s applause in his memory.
We ask that you get to your seats earlier than usual, and to please join us in showing our support for the Hughes family and remembering a much-loved member of the Grimsby Town family.
Rest in peace, Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.
John Cockerill in McMenemy’s
We’re delighted to welcome back Grimsby Town legend John Cockerill as our special guest for this Saturday’s opening league fixture against Exeter City.
The former midfielder made more than 100 appearances for the Mariners between 1988 and 1992 and played a key role in the Club’s successive promotions under Alan Buckley.
Cockerill’s most memorable moment in a Town shirt came against Exeter City in May 1991, when his two goals at Blundell Park secured a 2-1 victory and confirmed promotion to Division Two.
He will be joining our matchday host Scott Woodthorpe in McMenemy’s ahead of kick-off, where he’ll take part in a special Q&A and reflect on some of his favourite memories from his time with the Mariners. Hospitality guests will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with John during the afternoon.
Match Sponsors
The Match Sponsor for tomorrow afternoon’s fixture is Technical Absorbents Ltd., and our match ball sponsor is Technica.
Mighty Mariner
Mighty Mariner will be around the ground with his selfie frame from 1:30pm onward and will be available for photos with supporters.
Mighty Mariners Half-Time Penalty Shootout
During half time tomorrow afternoon, we’re giving two young Mariners the chance to step onto the Blundell Park pitch for a fun-filled penalty shootout challenge – with The Mighty Mariner in goal!
If your child would like to be one of the two lucky participants, The Mighty Mariner and his chaperone will be around the ground from 1:30pm, on the hunt for two willing volunteers.
Please note, the maximum age for volunteers is 14 years old, and the two children will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Half Time Bonanza
The Half Time Bonanza is Grimsby Town’s instant cash prize draw where supporters can win up to £750!
Tickets cost just £1 each and are sold all around the ground on a matchday. The draw takes place on the pitch at half-time, and the winning numbers will be announced by the stadium announcer.
Travel Info
Stadium Address:
Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 7PY.
By Car
Follow signs for Grimsby via the M180, continuing as it becomes the A180. Blundell Park is located adjacent to the McDonald’s Drive-Thru on Grimsby Road.
Supporter and team coaches should turn off Grimsby Road onto Tiverton Street and will be parked along Harrington Street.
By Train
The nearest station is Cleethorpes, approximately a 20-minute walk. Upon exiting, turn right and follow the High Street until reaching Blundell Park on your right.
By Bus
Stagecoach services stop directly outside Blundell Park. Matchday services include route 3.
Timetables are available by clicking HERE.
Parking
Parking near the stadium is extremely limited. Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and use street parking where available, noting that some surrounding areas operate matchday restrictions.
Matchday Info
Stay up-to-date with important matchday information, including in-match updates, by following our social media accounts.
Food Choices
A wide selection of hot food, snacks and drinks will be available from kiosks around the ground.
External Food Vendors For This Fixture
- Lower Ramsdens Home Interiors – Food Dudes
- Upper Ramsdens Home Interiors – Sharkey’s
- Pontoon – The Hot Dogs
- Technical Absorbents Stand – Cooky Cooks
- Osmond Behind the Goal – Hatricks
- Osmond Corner – Dave at No.1
Matchday Programme
The latest edition of our award-winning programme, The Mariner, will be on sale for £3 at outlets around the ground and in the Club Shop. We are delighted to confirm that programme sellers around the ground will be able to take both cash and card payments for this fixture.
This week’s issue features:
- A feature interview with our new signing, Iwan Morgan
- The low down on our opposition, Exeter City
- A deep dive into Mariners legend, Matt Tees
- A look at some Mariners’ heroes and villains from times gone by
- Columns from David Artell and Andrew Pettit
- Updates from our Women’s Team, Youth Team, Foundation, the Mariners Trust, and the Disabled Supporters Club
Club Shop
The Club Shop will be open from 9am until kick-off, and provides the perfect opportunity to grab some Mariners gifts. Available are our brand new third kit, along with the new range of club merchandise and summer essentials.
Reporting & Safeguarding
We believe that football is a game for everyone, everywhere and we are proud of the welcoming atmosphere that you create at Blundell Park every matchday. However, every season, there are hundreds of reports of discrimination across the game and likely more that go unrecorded.
We would like to reiterate our zero-tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, anti-social behaviour, sexual harassment and abuse of any kind at Blundell Park.
You can report any discrimination directly to the Club by texting 07926575610 on matchdays, alerting your nearest steward or completing this short online form.
Matchday Contacts
David White, Facilities Manager & Safety Officer – david@gtfc.co.uk
Graham Hackney, Supporter Liaison Officer – slo@gtfc.co.uk
Amanda Jane Stephenson, Disabled Liaison Officer – janestephenson@gtfc.co.uk
Vikki Harries, Lead Designated Safeguarding Officer – safeguarding@gtfc.co.uk
You can also Tweet @GTFC_SLO on X or message the Club on our social media channels.
We are always looking for supporter feedback on the matchday experience, you can contact the Club by emailing enquiries@gtfc.co.uk.
First Time Fans
If tomorrow afternoon is someone’s first game, just contact fran@gtfc.co.uk and we’ll provide you with a complimentary certificate.
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