Why Birmingham City fans driving to Derby need to plan carefully on Saturday | OneFootball

A busy day is expected in the East Midlands city on Saturday for football and non-sporting events

After a second successive round of midweek action in the Championship, all 24 clubs are hoping that they can gather momentum ahead of the three-week-long international break between late September and early October.

There are still two rounds of second tier football to be played until international duties are brought into focus for the first time since the FIFA World Cup 2026, and with that, plenty of eye-catching fixtures are also in store.

Indeed, one of those sees Derby County face off against Birmingham City at Pride Park this coming Saturday in a 12:30PM kick-off due to broadcast on Sky Sports.

This particular encounter sees the East and West Midlands face off against each other, and it is one which has certainly provided some memorable moments for either set of supporters in recent times.

There is also an added sub-plot in the form of Rams head coach, John Eustace, who was employed by Birmingham between July 2022 and October 2023, before he was, in the eyes of many, harshly relieved of his duties by Blues' American investors, Knighthead Capital Management, despite being sixth in the table at the time.

The two sides also come into this fixture off the back of contrasting beginnings to the season, although, for those willing to back Chris Davies' men towards all three points in DE24, they may want to assess their travel options ahead of the weekend.

Derby County vs Birmingham City is one of two major events in the city on Saturday afternoon

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Alongside Birmingham, Derby are one of the clubs in the Championship known for drawing large crowds for home matches, irrespective of their club's fortunes, and matches between the two sides have often generated a fierce atmosphere as a result.

With Eustace and Davies hoping their sides can reach the expanded play-offs in May after ending eighth and 10th last season respectively, plenty is already on the line in this early-season showdown.

It has already been confirmed that the Second City outfit's fans have sold out their allocation of 3,117 tickets, although those opting to drive the 41-mile route will have to factor in the fact Derby Pride will be taking place from 11AM until 6PM in Markeaton Park, which is located three miles from the stadium, but is adjacent to a major roundabout between the A38, which eventually links the two cities, and A52 into Derby City Centre.

Birmingham City fans driving to Derby County clash have other elements to bear in mind

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Aside from the non-sporting events which will add further congestion in and around Derby this weekend, Blues fans travelling by car would have had to have factored in an 'exclusion zone' in the surroundings of Pride Park.

The Rams' official website does urge spectators not to use car as their preferred mode of transport if possible to aid congestion in nearby roads in the lead-up to and after the game.

As such, the 'exclusion zone' means that depending on pedestrian traffic on Derwent Parade and Royal Way, it could be in operation from 90 minutes before kick-off, which would be 11AM in Saturday's case, and up to one hour post-match.

Away supporters travelling by car are also urged to pre-book parking at the Conference Centre on London Road, which is a 10-15 minute walk away from the stadium.

Birmingham City will hope for better fortunes against Derby County this season

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This meeting will be the third in less than 12 months between Derby and Birmingham, and Davies' side will be hoping for better fortunes against the club's former boss, Eustace, this time around.

A 1-1 draw was played out at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Boxing Day between the two sides, before a 1-0 win for the Rams on March 21st, courtesy of Rhian Brewster's header, effectively ended Birmingham's already slim chances of making the play-offs.