County Cup Final Preview: Bedford Town v Real Bedford
Real Bedford return to competitive action on Friday evening as the Pirates take on local rivals Bedford Town in the Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup Final, with silverware on the line.
The first competitive meeting between the two clubs promises to be a landmark occasion, with local bragging rights and the county’s biggest prize both up for grabs.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: Friday 24th July 2026
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Venue: The Eyrie Stadium, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3LW
TICKETS
Please note: All tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no tickets available at the turnstiles on matchday.
Supporters can purchase tickets online here:
Ticket prices:
Adult: £10
Concessions (60+): £6
Youth (12-16): £3
Child (6-11): £1
Under 5s: FREE
Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Enhanced security checks will be in place for all supporters arriving at the stadium to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
Friday’s final marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bedford Town under first-team manager Harry Smart, who stepped up from assistant following Lee Bircham’s departure at the end of last season. Smart inherits a side that only just retained its National League North status during their first campaign at Step 2.
While the Eagles were battling at Step 2, Real Bedford continued their remarkable rise through the pyramid, narrowly missing out on a fourth consecutive promotion after reaching the Southern League Premier Central play-off final. The two clubs now meet for the first time in a competitive fixture, with the Bedfordshire Senior Challenge Cup providing the stage for a historic local derby.
Live-streaming
This fixture will be live-streamed for all supporters on PirateTV.
FOLLOW THE MATCH
If you can’t make it to The Eyrie, follow @realbedford on X and Instagram for updates throughout the evening.
