Kick off your Bank Holiday weekend at Welford Road this Friday evening as Leicester Tigers host London Irish in the final pre-season fixture of the summer. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
This is an opportunity to welcome Tigers back to home turf ahead of the big kick-off to the Gallagher Premiership season and a chance to see your favourites alongside some new faces in the red, white and green with the season’s opener just a week away.
Kyle Eastmond, Will Spencer and David Denton are among the summer signings hoping to get a first run-out at their new home ground as head coach Matt O’Connor and his backroom team put the finishing touches to the pre-season build-up.
Former Tigers players Sebastian de Chaves, Scott Steele, Pat Cilliers, Tommy Bell and Greig Tonks are all part of the Irish squad this season and they have added England international fly-half Stephen Myler and Samoan flanker TJ Ioane to their ranks ahead of the new campaign.
Tigers team news will be announced on Thursday afternoon on the club website and official social media pages, and look out for the match preview in an LTTV interview with forwards coach Mark Bakewell.
Turnstiles, stadium bars and food kiosks open at 6.15pm on Friday.
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 Junior Tigers Club activities for young supporters open at 5.45pm in the Final Whistle area of the Holland & Barrett Stand, while the Tigers Maul, Fordy’s Kicking Challenge and Welford’s Wheel will be based on the plaza outside. JTC membership is free to under-16s and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
In the build-up to kick-off, look out for the matchday mascots from the Junior Tigers Club and the Tigers cubs. If you want to know how the young fan in your family can run out on Tigers turf on matchday check out the JTC pages of the club website using the link above.
We’ll also be joined by Tigers Flagshakers and the Global Payments Guard of Honour before the game. To find out more or to book a place for your team this season, contact the Group Sales team at Tigers by phoning 0116 319 8888.
If you wish to purchase food and refreshments inside the stadium you can make this easier and cut queue times using the ‘click and collect’ service on the SwipeStation app in The Final Whistle, Holland & Barrett Stand lower concourse, Robin Hood Stand and Mattioli Woods Stand. Simply download the SwipeStation app on your phone and you will be able to order in advance and collect your purchases from the fast lane at the bars.
If you download the official Leicester Tigers app, you can use the Big Screen function to submit photos of your matchday at Welford Road and a selection will be added to the gallery on stadium screens.
Supporters can vote for the Leo Vegas Man of the Match using the News section of the Tigers app during the second half of the game.
The Club Store in the Holland & Barrett Stand is open all day every day, with a second store in the Robin Hood Stand and extra units inside the stadium open on matchdays.
The new season’s replica shirts – home and alternate – will be available in store from 9.00am this Friday. Click here for more details.
Half-time entertainment on Friday evening includes The Ultimate Big Boot and we’ll also make a presentation to a TigersLotto draw winner.
Admission to Friday’s game is included in Tigers season tickets. You can upgrade an under-10s season ticket or junior as part of a family season ticket to adult for this game free of charge if you think kick-off is too late for young supporters. Please be aware that all upgrades must be done via the ticket office.
All season tickets holders have had the 2018/19 campaign loaded on to their existing cards. New cards have been issued only to supporters who have changed category or changed seats this summer.
For all other supporters, match tickets are available now, priced £12 adult terrace/£15 seating and £5 juniors. Book in person, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2)(open from 9.00am weekdays and up to kick-off on matchday) or online any time using the link below.
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 tickets on your way to the game.
If you are attending Friday’s game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
After the game, supporters can enjoy 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. Take this opportunity to book your place for the first home game of the league season against Newcastle on September 8 – and share in free activities and attractions for the whole family at Tigers In The Park in the hours building up to kick-off. For more details click here.
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.
There is no matchday programme this Friday but the 100-page edition returns for the opening Gallagher Premiership fixture against Newcastle Falcons.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus are not available this week but a full service on routes from Market Bosworth, Market Harborough and Oakham will be in operation for the opening league game at Welford Road on September 8. For full details, including timetable and pick-up points, check out the Tigers website and social media in the week of the game.
