Derby Day returns to Welford Road on Friday evening as Leicester Tigers host Northampton Saints. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and here’s our Matchday Guide to what’s in store.
Team news from both camps is announced at noon on Thursday on the Tigers website and official social media pages. Look out, too, for the online match preview with all the facts and figures behind the big game.
Stadium turnstiles, bars and food kiosks open at 6.15pm and you can hear from inside the Tigers camp with a player Q&A in Final Whistle at 6.30pm.
For all supporters who hold junior or family season tickets, these have all been upgraded to adult tickets for free so you can bring other friends and family with you if you think kick-off is too late for younger supporters. This has been done automatically within the Tigers ticket system so there is no need to contact the Tigers ticket office in advance. Just scan your ticket at the turnstile as normal.
Welford Road will host special pie and mash offer in the Final Whistle Bar (Holland & Barrett Stand) from 5.45pm-6.45pm. Fans can grab homemade pie, mash and gravy for just £2. You can also receive a voucher for a free pint of Everards Tighthead beer. This pint offer is very limited so be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment. *£1 cup deposit required.
Food options in the stadium include pie-and-a-pint in the Holland & Barrett concourse, Mattioli Woods Stand and Breedon Stand; and Domino’s Pizza in the Holland & Barrett Stand upper and lower. Chips are available in Holland & Barrett Stand lower and Robin Hood Stand. There are children’s food offers, too, at the Junior Tigers Club food unit in Final Whistle.
You can save time at the bars by using Swipestation to pre-order drinks. Sign up to the Swipestation app, add your card details and you can place your order at any time – even before you leave home! When you get to the stadium, use your phone to print off the receipt at your nearest SwipeStation unit and simply present it to bar staff.
Bag searches are in place at the turnstiles. 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.
Be sure to find your place in the stands well ahead of kick-off as fire cannons welcome the teams on to the pitch, with teams from junior clubs and schools joining us as Flag Wavers, Guard of Honour and Flag Runners.
Friday is also Matt Hampson Foundation Day at Welford Road so look out for the Tigers team warming-up in Foundation T-shirts. Find out more about Matt and the inspirational work of the Foundation at their stall on the plaza ahead of kick-off.
Bhangra drummers will add their own noise and spectacle to the plaza and the build-up to kick-off, and then guitarist Paul Adkins from resident band Rock Bottom will welcome the team on to the pitch with a live performance of the club’s anthem ‘Smoke on the Water’ accompanied by a fiery backdrop.
The club distributed 10,000 flags around the stadium during the last home game and fans are encouraged to bring them along to help provide a colourful backdrop to the action.
The Junior Tigers Club is open for two hours ahead of kick-off and provides a chance to win a FREE place as a matchday mascot or Tiger Cub. JTC membership is free to supporters age under 16 and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page and you can use the ‘Big Screen’ function on the Tigers app to submit photos of your matchday, with a selection of the best being shown on the stadium big screens.
This week’s 100-page match programme includes a focus on the new Talking Tigers podcast with its creator Greg Bateman, the Junior Tigers Club pages, Fanzone and news from inside Welford Road. Pick up your copy around the stadium, price £3.
Half-time entertainment includes The Ultimate Big Boot and the TigersLotto season ticket draw.
At full-time, there is music in Final Whistle with Rock Bottom, and the main Club Store and ticket office will remain open for another hour.
Pre-booked car parking goes off-sale at the Tigers ticket office two days before a match. Parking is still available to purchase on a first-come first-served basis at the King Power Stadium, home of Leicester City FC, which is just a few minutes’ walk away from Welford Road. Cost is £6 per car, to be paid at the barrier.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus are also in operation 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, pick-up points and important news on changes to two routes due to roadworks this week, click here.
Match tickets are still available at the Tigers ticket office. 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. 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.
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.
