EMR and LNER join forces to share top tips for Wembley bound Blades fans

East Midlands Railway (EMR) and LNER have shared their top tips for Sheffield United fans travelling by rail to the Championship Play-Off Final this weekend.

Essential engineering work by Network Rail – which includes upgrading the overhead power lines in preparation for the future introduction of EMR’s new fleet of bi-mode trains – will unfortunately mean that the Midland Main Line will be closed between Bedford and London St Pancras International. As a result, EMR services will start and terminate at Bedford.

The quickest route for Blades fans travelling from Sheffield to London on Play Off Final weekend is now via Doncaster with LNER to London King’s Cross. However, trains are expected to be extremely busy.

To help as many fans get to Wembley, LNER has worked to provide some additional services on Saturday 24 May. An extra 2025 northbound departure from London to take fans home is now on sale.

LNER is working with Network Rail to add a morning southbound departure from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, with a time still to be confirmed. LNER has also added a total of 600 extra seats on the 0758 and 1047 southbound departures from Doncaster.

To make journeys as smooth as possible, the train operators have issued joint top tips for dedicated Blades supporters:

• Arrive at your departure station early as queuing systems may be in operation.
• Make sure you have a seat reservation. Trains are expected to be very busy across the whole LNER route and you may have to stand for your journey if you don't have a reservation. Reservations can be made, with a valid ticket, on the LNER website and through its app.
• Be mindful that not every customer will be travelling for the football and be considerate of everyone around you.
• Be kind to colleagues at stations and onboard trains who are there to help you.
• Consider travelling on Friday 23 May or Monday 26 May instead. Engineering work is only affecting EMR Intercity services on Saturday and Sunday. Supporters will be able to travel on EMR direct trains to and from London St Pancras on Friday and Monday.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "While essential engineering works between Bedford and Harpenden on 24–25 May mean we’re unable to run direct services to London St Pancras, these upgrades are part of a major programme to improve our railway and support the introduction of EMR’s new fleet – a long-term investment in better journeys for our customers.

"We know how important this day is for Blades supporters travelling from South Yorkshire and beyond, and although we can’t operate direct services, we’ve worked hard with our industry partners to offer alternative routes via Doncaster and Bedford. We’ll also have extra staff and enhanced crowd management in place to ensure fans are supported every step of the way to Wembley.”

Colette Casey, Customer Experience Director at LNER, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of Blades fans onboard LNER services this coming weekend as they travel to Wembley. LNER consistently works closely with other train operators and in situations like this where one rail route is not available, we’ll do all we can to help customers get where they need to be.

“With Blades fans travelling on LNER services from Doncaster and Retford, and Sunderland fans travelling down the East Coast Main Line from the north east, our trains will be extremely busy across the weekend. Make sure you follow our top travel tips to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.”

LNER is also working with Northern and TransPennine Express to safely transport fans between Sheffield and Doncaster. For fans travelling back to Doncaster on the 2200 LNER service from London King’s Cross, TransPennine Express has added an extra 2358 service into its timetable to get fans back to Sheffield.