Vale Park

Vale Park was built for a purpose that had nothing to do with football architecture. The ground sits on a clay subsoil formed by a former marl hole, which dictated its character from the start. Poor drainage and susceptibility to freezing meant the surface was always a factor in the game itself, a fact that has seen the club invest £2 million to replace the natural grass with a hybrid turf system as of 2026.

The stadium was not always a place of safety. Structural changes between 1989 and 1999 followed the Taylor Report after the Hillsborough disaster, transforming the site from a standing terrace into a modern arena. The Lorne Street Stand replaced the old standing area in a £3 million project, while the Bycars End terrace closed in 1989 due to safety issues.

The official attendance record of 49,768 was set on 20 February 1960 against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Fifth Round, a match Port Vale won 2-1.

Between football fixtures, the ground has hosted other matters. The "Heavy Metal Holocaust" concert on 1 August 1981 brought Motörhead and Ozzy Osbourne to the pitch, raising £25,000 for the club. Stoke City also played a home match against Middlesbrough here on 17 January 1976 after gale damage closed Victoria Ground. These events sit alongside England Under-18 international matches and a women's international between England and Italy in 2017.

The stadium has retained its original name throughout its history. A 2005 proposal to rename it after Reginald Mitchell was never implemented. It remains a working club ground, with new floodlights installed in 2019 and further improvements made in 2021 and 2022 to meet Championship standards.