Since 1897, Northampton Town had played their home games at the County Cricket Ground, sharing it with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Because of the larger size of a cricket pitch, the football ground only had stands on three sides. Northampton Town chose to construct their own stadium, more suitable for football, in the Sixfields area of Northampton.
The stadium had been scheduled to be opened at the start of the 1994–95, but was not ready on time and as a result Northampton began the season still at the County Ground. The first game to be played at Sixfields was against Barnet in Division Three on 15 October 1994. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with striker Martin Aldridge scoring the first goal at the new stadium.[2] Because of a rent dispute between the owners of Coventry City and the landlords of their home ground, the Ricoh Arena, Coventry started a groundshare with Northampton in the 2013–14 season.[3] This arrangement was due to continue for three seasons,[4] but in September 2014 Coventry returned to playing at the Ricoh Arena.[5] Stands[edit] West Stand[edit] The largest of the stands, seating just under 4,000 home supporters on a match day. The West Stand also accommodates the Cave & Sons Boardroom, the Able Print Players Lounge, the Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite, Carrs Bar, and changing rooms.
Sheinman Opticians (North) Stand[edit] Previously named the Dave Bowen Stand after ex-Northampton Town player and manager Dave Bowen, who helped take the club from Division Four to the First Division during the 1960s, the North Stand is behind the goal nearest to the hill. It seats approximately 900.
East Stand[edit] The East Stand is the location of the Mick George Family Enclosure and faces the West Stand. It can seat approximately 1,974 fans and is usually reserved for home supporters, although if the opposition sell their allocation in Moulton College Stand, they are usually sent an extra 450 tickets for the south end of this stand. The stand was commended for its facilities for disabled supporters by The Football Ground Guide.
Imperial Cars (South) Stand[edit] Standing opposite and identical to The Sheinman Opticians Stand, this end is reserved for away fans. Until the 2015/2016 season the only occasion on which this stand has held Northampton Town supporters was against Chester City on 29 April 2006 when the stand was split and supporters segregated to allow the maximum number of home supporters to witness the club's promotion to League One.
During the 2015–16 season, the stand was split between home and away fans numerous times because of high demand from Northampton Town fans.