Start your rugby weekend at Welford Road this Friday evening as Leicester Tigers host Sale Sharks in the third round of the Premiership Rugby Cup. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and here is our matchday guide to what’s in store:
Team news from both camps will be announced at noon on Thursday on the Tigers website and official social media pages. Look out, too, for the match preview ahead of the game.
The Tigers ticket office and club store are open all day from 9.00am.
Activities on the plaza ahead of kick-off include the Tigers Maul, STIHL tackle bag and Lumber Jack mascot, and our friends from Fox's Glacier Mints.
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 portion of chilli and rice for just £2 in the Final Whistle. Served between 5.45pm and 6.45pm, a vegetarian option is also available.
You can 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.
Stadium food options include pie-and-pint offer in bars in the Holland & Barrett concourse, Mattioli Woods Stand and Breedon Stand; Domino’s Pizza 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 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 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.
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.
Friday’s game will feature pre-match Remembrance events including playing of The Last Post and a two-minute silence as well as recognition of the 46 Tigers players killed during both world wars. Click here for more details, including how you can bid for one of the player’s shirts worn for this game and support the Tigers Foundation's monument appeal.
Supporters can use the ‘Big Screen’ function on the official Tigers app to submit photos of their matchday and a selection will be added to the gallery on the stadium screens.
Half-time entertainment includes The Ultimate Big Boot, and a season ticket holder will win the price of their ticket in a special TigersLotto draw and receive their prize on the pitch from a Tigers player.
Friday’s match programme features interviews with young guns Ben White and Sam Lewis, a spotlight on opponents Sale Sharks, the Junior Tigers Club pages and news from inside Welford Road. You can pick up 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 full details, including timetable and pick-up points, 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 ticket bundles.
Tickets for Friday’s game 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.
Friday forms the first half of a rugby double at Welford Road, with big screen coverage of England versus New Zealand on Saturday afternoon in the company of Tigers back-rower Brendon O’Connor. Click here to find out more and to book your place.
