England v Pakistan: Everything you need to know for Headingley first test, including transport & session times

Headingley is set to welcome thousands of cricket fans as England take on Pakistan in the First Rothesay Test Match.

The fixture takes its official title from UK pension and investment giant Rothesay, following the firm's major title sponsorship deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) covering England’s home international Test series.

The five-day clash marks the opening match of the high-profile series, bringing international crowds, global broadcast coverage, and a significant economic boost to the city.

With heavy congestion expected across Headingley, Kirkstall, and the main arterial routes into Leeds city centre throughout the match, travel operators are urging matchgoers to plan their journeys in advance and make use of public transport options.

Your guide to the first test between England and Pakistan at Headingley

What time do gates open for the first test between England and Pakistan at Headingley?

Gates open at 9am each day of play.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to navigate security checks and avoid queues upon entry.

Ground access is available via the following gates:

• Gate B (St Michael’s Lane): General spectator entry.
• Gate C (St Michael’s Lane): Hospitality guests only.
• Gate E (St Michael’s Lane): Recommended entry point for spectators arriving from Burley Park train station.
• Gate G (Kirkstall Lane): Recommended entry point for arrivals from Headingley train station and users of the Beckett Park Park & Stride facility.

What is the expected order of play during the first test at Headingley?

Subject to weather conditions and over rates, the daily schedule and hours of play across all five days are as follows:

• Morning Session: 11am - 1pm
• Lunch Interval: 1pm - 1:40pm
• Afternoon Session: 1:40pm - 3:40pm
• Tea Interval: 3:40pm - 4pm
• Evening Session: 4om - 6pm

Dedicated matchday shuttle buses and regular routes

First Bus will be operating dedicated matchday shuttle services to connect Leeds city centre directly with the ground.

• Matchday Shuttle: Runs frequently between Wellington Street (Stop B, near Leeds Station) and Kirkstall Lane right outside the stadium before play commences and after the final ball.
• Regular bus services: The 19 and 19A drop directly outside Headingley Stadium on Kirkstall Lane. The 56 stops on St Michael’s Lane, while the 1, 1B, 6, 8, 27, and 28 run continuously along Otley Road and Headingley Lane—a short five-minute walk down St Michael's Lane to the turnstiles.

Train connections: Burley Park vs Headingley

Rail passengers travelling from Leeds Station along Northern's Harrogate Line have two main station options:

• Burley Park Station (Recommended): The fastest and easiest walking route to the ground. Just a five-minute train ride from Leeds Station, followed by a flat five-minute walk down Ash Road straight to the turnstiles.
• Headingley Station: Also five minutes from Leeds Station on the Harrogate Line, located roughly a 10-to-12-minute uphill walk from the ground along Kirkstall Lane.

Taxis, drop-off points, and cycling

• Taxi ranks: Designated taxi ranks will be operating on Kirkstall Lane and North Lane (outside Sainsbury's Local).
• Drop-off facility: Strict drop-off restrictions are in place around the ground. There is no drop-off facility for taxis or cars on St Michael’s Lane—all passenger drop-offs are limited to Kirkstall Lane only.
• Bike racks: Spectators arriving by bicycle can use the bike racks located inside the ground (left at the owner’s risk and discretion). Stewards on arrival can direct cyclists to the nearest internal rack.

Car parking, Park & Stride, and local restrictions

Drivers travelling to the ground should note that on-site spectator parking is strictly restricted, with official matchday parking operating via nearby facilities and city connection routes:

• Beckett Park Park & Stride (LS6 3PW): Third-party car parking is available at Beckett Park, located roughly a 12-minute walk from Gate G. Charges are £10 per car or £15 per minibus, with spectators advised to bring both cash and card payment options.
• Blue Badge parking: Pre-booked accessibility parking passes at the ground are sold out. A limited number of on-street Blue Badge spaces are available on Kirkstall Lane on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Neighborhood parking enforcement: Headingley is a densely populated residential area. Council enforcement officers will strictly enforce permit-only rules and traffic cone restrictions across surrounding streets. Drivers are reminded not to obstruct private driveways.
• Park & Ride options: Spectators driving from further afield are encouraged to park in city centre multi-storey facilities or use the city's Park & Ride hubs at Stourton and Elland Road before catching connecting buses or trains.

What can and what can’t I bring with me to England and Pakistan’s first test at Headingley?

Spectators attending Headingley Stadium should take note of security policies in place before arriving at the turnstiles:

• Prohibited items: Alcohol, aerosols, animals (except assistance dogs), banners, professional cameras (outside regulation guidelines), cans, glass, fireworks/flares, non-prescription drugs, weapons or hazardous items, and large luggage bags. Note: There is no luggage drop facility at Headingley Stadium.
• Bag policy: All bags are restricted to a maximum size of 18 x 12 x 12 inches (45 x 30 x 30cm) and must be able to fit under a stadium seat.
• Food & drink rules: Spectators may bring refillable water bottles, soft drinks in sealed plastic containers, or up to 2 litres of water in sealed plastic containers. No metal cutlery is permitted.
• Flags & fancy dress: Fancy dress is strictly permitted in Blocks A and B of the Western Terrace only (no offensive masks or dangerous outfits). Flags must be fire-resistant, represent participating countries, and be no larger than 3ft x 5ft (1m x 1.5m).
• Tech & pushchairs: Laptops, iPads, and Kindles are allowed provided they are not used for illegal gambling. Pushchairs are not permitted in the stands and must be stored at the owner's risk.

Is there an area for daily prayers at Headingley?

Yes - the Multi-Faith Room at Headingley Stadium is specifically designated for observing prayers such as Dhuhr and Asr during the Test Match.

Located at the entrance to the East Stand (accessed via the St Michael’s Lane turnstiles), the facility provides a dedicated space for spectators throughout the hours of play:

• Location: East Stand entrance, directly inside the St Michael’s Lane turnstiles.
• Facilities: Includes dedicated foot baths for Wudu (ritual ablution) and shoe storage upon entry.
• Match Timings: Positioned for convenient access during both Dhuhr (~1:10 p.m., aligning with the lunch break) and Asr (~5:10 p.m., during the final session before stumps).

Spectators intending to use the ablution facilities are advised to bring their own sliders or flip-flops.

The space is open continuously throughout all five days of play for spectators of all faiths.

What will the weather be like for the first test between England and Pakistan?

Spectators heading to the ground can look forward to a mild and predominantly dry spell across the five days of play, according to the Met Office’s forecast for the week:

• Wednesday 19 August (Day 1): Highs of 19°C, with lows of 11°C overnight.
• Thursday 20 August (Day 2): Highs of 19°C, dropping to 11°C.
• Friday 21 August (Day 3): Highs of 18°C, with overnight lows of 10°C.
• Saturday 22 August (Day 4): Highs of 19°C, low of 11°C.
• Sunday 23 August (Day 5): Highs between 18°C and 21°C, with dry conditions and gusts reaching up to 28mph.

Are there any tickets left for the first test between England and Pakistan?

Demand for the First Rothesay Test has once again been exceptionally high, with standard general admission tickets across the opening days of the fixture already sold out.

However, cricket fans still hoping to attend have a few remaining options depending on the day:

• Days 1 to 3 (9 - Friday 21 August): Standard general admission is sold out. A limited number of official premium hospitality packages and official ticket resales remain available through Yorkshire County Cricket Club's authorized partners.
• Day 4 (22 August): Extremely limited. Standard seating is virtually sold out, though scattered returned tickets or hospitality options may appear leading up to the weekend.
• Day 5 (3 August): Tickets available. Day 5 tickets can be secured in advance via the official website or purchased at the turnstiles on the morning of play. Full refunds are processed automatically if no play takes place.

Spectators are strongly advised to buy exclusively through official Yorkshire CCC channels or licensed hospitality providers to avoid secondary market scams.