Leicester Tigers kick off a new year at Welford Road with a home game against London Irish on Saturday (3.00pm). Here’s our matchday guide to what’s in store for supporters:
Team news is announced at noon on Friday via the Tigers club website and official social media pages.
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 ca\n sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
All turnstiles, stadium bars and food kiosks open at 1.30pm this week.
Increased bag searches are in place at the turnstiles in accordance with ground regulations. Supporters are encouraged not to bring bags to the stadium but, if you do, please allow extra time to get through your turnstile and into your place ahead of kick-off.
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, the training range and souvenirs 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 an introduction to new arrivals Tatafu Polota-Nau, plus a Welford Road 125 re-cap, all the news from Welford Road and the pick of social media posts this week. The programme costs £3 and is available throughout the stadium.
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 work at all Aviva Premiership grounds. If you have a Fan Radio from last season it will still work throughout 2017/18.
Supporters can vote for the Spire Man of the Match using the Tigers app during the second half of the game and one lucky season ticket holder will have the chance to make the presentation to the winning player after the final whistle. Click here for more details – and don’t forget to download the app now or update to the latest version. One lucky season ticket holder will even be able to present the award after the final whistle.
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.
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 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). 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 Saturday’s game if you want to book for any home game up to the end of March and ticket sales for the home game against Wasps on March 25 open to general sales after the final whistle.
There is still time to book a Half Season Ticket covering all games from January to the end of April, starting with Saturday’s game against the Exiles.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
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. https://www.leicestertigers.com/tickets/season-tickets/forward-to-a-friend
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.
