Leicester Tigers host the first game in a pre-Christmas double with the return fixture against Munster Rugby in the European Champions Cup this Sunday (5.30pm). Here’s a matchday guide to what’s in store for supporters.
Tickets have been in big demand for this fixture, especially on the Terrace where just 50 places remained on sale from Wednesday evening. But there are still seat tickets available around the stadium so contact the Tigers ticket office now to book your place.
Sunday is a Christmas-themed afternoon at Welford Road with the Tigers Christmas Market, Santa’s grotto, snowglobe photo-booth, carols with Kibworth Ladies Choir and other attractions on the plaza and seasonal food and drink including turkey cobs and mulled wine/cider from 2.30pm. Look out for club mascot Welford in seasonal costume too!
The Junior Tigers Club, with activities for young supporters and an opportunity to run out in front of a big crowd as a matchday mascot or Tiger Cub, is open for two hours ahead of kick-off for every home game in the Final Whistle area of the Holland & Barrett Stand and there will be a player appearance in the approach to kick-off. JTC membership is free to under-16s and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
All turnstiles, stadium bars and food kiosks open at 4.00pm ahead of kick-off at 5.30pm.
Bag searches have been increased at the turnstiles in accordance with ground regulations. Supporters are encouraged not to bring bags but, if you do, please allow extra time to get through your turnstile and into your place in the stadium ahead of kick-off, especially as another big crowd and large travelling support for Munster is expected at Welford Road this weekend.
The SwipeStation ‘click and collect’ service is in operation in Final Whistle and lower concourse of the Holland & Barrett Stand to reduce waiting times for drinks and food service. Download the SwipeStation App now on your phone, order in advance at any times and collect your drinks from the fast lane at the bar. For full details of how to download the App and use it on matchdays, click here.
Glass return points are available in the bars as well as in extra points around the stadium.
Home and away replica kits and the training range are available in store at Welford Road. The Club Store in the Holland & Barrett Stand is open all day, with the second store in the Robin Hood Stand open and extra units inside the stadium open on matchdays. The main store will also remain open for an hour after the game.
The 100-page matchday programme includes the annual Three Wise Men (Plus One) feature and all the news from Welford Road. The programme costs £3 and is available throughout the stadium.
Supporters are encouraged to get to their places in the stadium well ahead of kick-off on Sunday as the club will welcome Tom Croft on to the pitch in the build-up to the game to allow him to acknowledge the crowd and for the fans to recognise his service to the club over the last decade.
You can also submit your matchday photos of your day at Welford Road by using the Tigers app and using the Big Screen function to send us a photo, with a selection of the best added to the gallery on the big screens during the afternoon.
Fan Radio sets – allowing supporters to listen to the referee microphone and/or TV commentary – are available in the Club Shop, ticket office and around the ground. These sets now work at all Premiership venues. If you have a Fan Radio from last season it will still work throughout 2017/18.
Half-time entertainment includes two teams going head to head in The Ultimate Big Boot and there is also the TigersLotto draw where one fan can win the value of their season ticket.
There is no Spire Man of the Match this week but it will return for the home game against Saracens on Christmas Eve when one lucky season ticket holder will have a chance to present the prize to the winner. Download the Tigers app now. If you’ve already downloaded the app, then please check you have it updated to the latest version to make use of all functions.
There is live music in Final Whistle after the game with resident band Rock Bottom.
Match tickets are still available at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person at the Club Store in the Highcross Shopping Centre or phone the ticket office on 0116 319 8888 (option 2)(open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday-Saturday and from 9.00am on matchday). Or book online any time.
There is a print-at-home option for all tickets bought online. Or, if you are picking up any pre-paid match tickets on your way to the game, the Collection Point is based on the plaza outside main reception.
The ticket office will remain open for an hour after Sunday’s game if you want to book for the Christmas Eve fixture against Saracens or any other home game in January and February, or to purchase a Half Season Ticket to cover all games from January to the end of April.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
Leicester Tigers Foundation collectors will be based around the stadium if you would like to make a donation for a Tigers flag and support their work in the community.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus are in operation on routes from Market Bosworth, Market Harborough and Oakham. For full details, including timetable, click here.
For any season ticket holders unable to attend Sunday’s match but who want to forward their ticket to friends or family, The Hub is active at hub.leicestertigers.com. For further details, click here.
If you are unable to join us at Welford Road, you can follow all of the action throughout the day on the club website and social media, and there is full text commentary using the Matchday Live function on the app.
Team news from both camps is announced at noon on Friday via the Tigers club website and official social media pages.
There is more rugby action on Monday evening with a Premiership ‘A’ League fixture between Tigers and Northampton Wanderers in a fixture to be staged at Loughborough University. Kick-off is at 7.30pm and entry is free. Click here for more details.
