Bedford International Athletic Stadium is a multi-use sports and events venue located on Barkers Lane in Bedford, Bedfordshire. It serves as a major hub for athletics, community sports, fitness classes, and venue hire in the region. The stadium is well-equipped with a 400-metre outdoor athletics track, grass and floodlit pitches for football and rugby, and a large 8-court indoor sports hall suitable for badminton, basketball, and other activities. There’s also a small gym on site with cardio and resistance equipment, personal training options, and changing facilities.
The venue is also home to Bedford & County Athletic Club and regularly hosts regional competitions, school sports events, and even American football games, such as those played by the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders. It includes versatile function rooms and community spaces available for private hire, making it a popular location for events, meetings, and training days. Accessibility is a key focus, with onsite parking (including disabled bays), lifts, and inclusive programming.
Bedford International Athletic Stadium is part of the wider network of facilities managed by Better, the public-facing brand of Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), a charitable social enterprise. GLL focuses on providing affordable, community-focused access to sport and leisure. Since taking over Bedford Borough’s leisure services, Better has invested in improving services, upgrading equipment, and increasing community engagement through initiatives like free memberships for foster carers and wellbeing programmes for older adults.
The stadium typically opens from 9am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm on weekends. Bookings can be made for track sessions, indoor courts, outdoor pitches, and event space through the Better website.
Whether you’re an athlete, a community group, or someone looking for a local fitness or event venue, Bedford International Athletic Stadium offers a well-rounded and professionally managed space in the heart of Bedford.
