Welford Road welcomes the return of the Heineken Champions Cup this Friday evening as Leicester Tigers host the Scarlets. Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your matchday.
Champions Cup rivals Tigers and Scarlets kick off in Pool 4 at 7.45pm with both teams looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend.
Team news will be announced from both camps on the Tigers website and official social media pages at noon on Thursday. Look out, too, for the match preview on the website ahead of the big game.
The Tigers ticket office and club store will be open from 9.00am.
The store in the Holland & Barrett Stand stocks replica shirts – home and alternate – as well as training kit and leisurewear. The store is open all day every day and there is a second store in the Robin Hood Stand and extra units inside the stadium on matchdays.
Stadium turnstiles, bars and food kiosks open at 6.15pm.
All supporters should note that 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.
In accordance with stadium regulations, banned items include bottles, cans, large golf-type umbrellas and any bags that will not fit beneath a seat. More information is available on boards at all turnstiles.
If you are travelling to the game straight from work, you can warm up for the evening with a slice of homemade chicken and ham pie, served with creamy mash, peas and gravy – all for just £1 in Final Whistle. Served between 5.45pm and 6.45pm, a vegetarian option is also available.
You can also save time at the bars by using Swipestation to pre-order drinks during the day or on the way to the game. Simply download the Swipestation app, sign up and add your card details then you can place your order at any time. Print off the receipt at your nearest SwipeStation unit inside the stadium using your phone and present it to bar staff. You don’t even need wi-fi connectivity on your phone once you are at Welford Road.
If you use the Tigers app, click on ‘Matchday Food and Drink’ to download the SwipeStation app for iOS and Android devices.
SwipeStation units are available in the Final Whistle Bar in the Holland & Barrett Stand, the Champions Bar in the Robin Hood Stand, and in fast lanes in the Breedon Stand and Mattioli Woods Stand.
Pie-and-pint options have been added to most bars in the Holland & Barrett concourse this season as well as Mattioli Woods Stand and in the Breedon Stand.
Domino’s Pizza units are located in the Holland & Barrett Stand upper and lower concourse, and chips are available in Holland & Barrett Stand lower concourse and in the Robin Hood Stand.
There are new children’s food offers, too, at the Junior Tigers Club food unit in Final Whistle.
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 in the Final Whistle area of the Holland & Barrett Stand, with activities on the plaza outside and a player appearance in the build-up to kick-off. JTC membership is free to under-16s and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
If you want to know how the young fan in your family can run out on the Welford Road turf on matchday, check the JTC pages of the club website using the link above.
Hear from inside the Tigers camp with a player Q&A in Final Whistle at 6.30pm with members of the first-team squad.
In the moments before kick-off, look out for the matchday mascots and the Tigers cubs who have the honour of running in a try on the Welford Road pitch before the big game.
We’ll also be joined by the Tigers flagshakers and Guard of Honour as the teams prepare to run out. To find out how your group can join us this season, contact the Group Sales team at Tigers by phoning 0116 319 8888.
If you download the official Tigers app, you can use the ‘Big Screen’ function to submit photos of your matchday and a selection will be added to the gallery on the stadium screens.
Half-time entertainment includes The Ultimate Big Boot and one season ticket holder will win the price of their ticket in a special TigersLotto draw.
Friday’s 100-page match programme features all you need to know about the Champions Cup plus a spotlight on Mike Williams, the Junior Tigers Club pages, Fanzone and news from Welford Road. Get your copy around the stadium, price £3.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus operate on routes from Market Bosworth, Market Harborough and Oakham, arriving at Welford Road half an hour ahead of kick-off. For details, click here.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
After the match, there is live music in Final Whistle with resident band Rock Bottom. The main Club Store will remain open and the ticket office at the Aylestone Road end will be open for match ticket sales for upcoming home games and season ticket sales.
Tickets for Friday are available now. Book in person at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online. There is a print-at-home option for tickets bought online. Or there is a Collection Point on the plaza outside the Holland & Barrett Stand if you are picking up pre-paid match tickets on your way to the game.
For any under-10s season ticket holders or juniors as part of family season tickets, you can organise a free upgrade to adults if kick-off is too late for the young fans in your family. Contact the ticket office in advance to arrange your upgrade.
If you are unable to join us at Welford Road for any home game, you can follow 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.
