Extra Travel Time Advised for Southampton v Leeds Championship Final

Football fans heading to Wembley for the Southampton v Leeds Championship play-off final this Sunday, May 26, are advised by South Western Railway (SWR) to allow extra travel time and set off much earlier than usual.

The match, which sees Southampton aiming for promotion to the Premier League, is expected to attract thousands of additional rail passengers. In response, SWR has organized additional trains between Southampton and London, but services and stations are still expected to be extremely busy.

To manage the increased demand, queuing systems may be in place at particularly busy stations in and around Southampton and London. Travelers should anticipate longer waiting times to board trains.

SWR has made adjustments to its Sunday timetable, reallocating trains and staff to support the event. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans in advance and be prepared for changes.

For those not attending the match, it is recommended to avoid traveling on the South West Main Line between Southampton and London during the peak times of the morning and evening when services will be most crowded.

Fans traveling from Basingstoke with tickets valid via Reading to London Paddington should opt for Great Western Railway services, as SWR services from Basingstoke are expected to be particularly busy.

Steve Tyler, Performance and Planning Director at South Western Railway, stated, "We are making every effort to transport as many customers as possible to London for the match, while also ensuring that non-football travelers can reach their destinations. We expect a significant influx of fans at our stations, so it’s crucial for customers to allocate extra time for their journeys and start their travel early to account for potential delays."

Tyler thanked customers for their cooperation and wished the fans an enjoyable final.