Middlesbrough RUFC purchased a 12-acre field in 1928 for a fee of £1,200.[2] The club paid 13 shillings, club members paid £500 and £800 was loaned from the Rugby Football Union.[2] Middlesbrough played their first games on their present ground in 1929, having played at several previous venues.[2] Due to the cost of the ground, the club officials began selling oats and wheat from the field in order to pay off their loan from the Rugby Football Union.[2] The name Acklam Park was adopted in 1930, and the following year a stand and pavilion was built, funded as a result of 12 interest-free loans of £100 each from local businessmen, the majority of whom refused to take repayment of their loan.[2]
In 1932, Middlesbrough Cricket Club became joint-owners of Acklam Park, soon attracting the interest from Yorkshire County Cricket Club, who had a ground history as tenants of the ground between 1956 and 1996.[2][1] With play halted during the Second World War, the ground closed in 1940, before being re-opened in 1945.[2]
In 2008, a new clubhouse was opened at Acklam Park, which includes a bar, a café, a gymnasium, a function room and lounge.[2] Improved changing rooms were also inserted, leading out to an exit to the main cricket and rugby pitches.[2] A new stand was constructed, with seats being placed in front of the changing rooms exit and café door exit.[2] Despite seats, supporters are eligible to stand and watch the rugby and cricket teams play.[2] The stand uses bench seating,[2] though plans are in place to have plastic seats added into the stand.[2] In August 2018, the rugby club added dug-outs to the first team pitch.[2]
The ground sits on Green Lane, and is located near Acklam Shops and Green Lane Primary School, with a range of pubs near the ground. On the exterior of the ground, a number of housing estates are on the boundaries of the clubhouse.
Annually, a summer beer festival is held at the ground, which has raised much money over the years.[2] They also host an annual firework display.[2]
On 27 August 2017, the ground hosted a fundraiser event, Party in Acklam Park!, with live music and entertainment.[3] The purpose of this event was to raise more money for the club and for new developments in the youth teams.[3]
