Leicester Tigers and French visitors Castres Olympique meet for the first time in their history at Welford Road on Saturday in another big European Champions Cup occasion. Kick-off is at 5.30pm. Here’s our matchday guide to what’s in store for supporters:
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.
All turnstiles, stadium bars and food kiosks open at 4.00pm this week.
Bag searches are in place 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.
A SwipeStation ‘click and collect’ service is in operation in the bars in Final Whistle and lower concourse of the Holland & Barrett Stand to reduce waiting times and increase efficiency. Download the SwipeStation App on your phone 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.
The new home and away kits as well as training range for 2017/18 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 100-page matchday programme costs just £3 and includes a guide to the Champions Cup, a spotlight on some of Tigers’ hottest rivalries in Europe and our pick of social media from the last couple of weeks as well as all the news from inside Welford Road.
Fan Radio sets – allowing supporters to listen to the referee microphone and/or TV commentary during home games – are available in the Club Shop, ticket office and around the ground. These sets now work at all Aviva Premiership grounds. If you have a Fan Radio from last season it will still work throughout 2017/18.
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.
Half-time entertainment on Saturday 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. We’ll also reveal the name of the Lumbers Player of the Month award, as voted by Tigers supporters.
Match tickets are on sale now at the Tigers ticket office. The ticket office is open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday every week. Book in person at Welford Road or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2). Or book online any time. There is a print-at-home option for all tickets bought online.
This game is included in Tigers season tickets and free upgrades on junior tickets are available if you think kick-off is too late for younger supporters. Click here for details.
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.
Tickets for all home games in the first half of the season are on general sale and the Big Match Bundle including admission to fixtures against Worcester, Munster, Saracens and the ‘A’ League derby with Northampton during November-December are available with prices from just £59 adults and £29 juniors covering all four games. The ticket office remains open for an hour after every home game.
The Tigers Club Store will also be open for an hour after Saturday’s game.
There is live music in Final Whistle after the game and, although resident band Rock Bottom are unavailable this week, we are joined by special guest band The Almost.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
For any supporters unable to attend Saturday’s match but who want to forward their season ticket to friends or family for this fixture, The Hub is now active at hub.leicestertigers.com. For further details, click here.