Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears meet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday (3.00pm) in Round 24 of the Gallagher Premiership season. Our Matchday Guide below contains everything you need to know about the day.
This is the first home league game since the middle of March, but now only three games remain in the regular season with Tigers hosting Bristol, then travelling to Newcastle falcons next month before the final-round fixture with Wasps on Saturday, June 4.
Team announcements for this weekend are made at noon on Friday and there will be build-up to the game on the Tigers website, app and social media, plus match preview on Saturday morning and full reaction after the game including LTTV interviews.
Tickets and Stadium entry
Tickets are still available to book online, phone on 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or in person at the ticket station in the Club Shop at the stadium or on matchday at the ticket office units around the stadium.
If you have any issues with your ticket booking, please contact the team ahead of the game by calling 0116 319 8888 (option 2).
Please check your ticket to locate the correct turnstile before trying to gain entry and have your season ticket card, match ticket, print-at-home ticket or ticket on your smartphone ready to allow the easiest possible access to the stadium.
The club encourages supporters not to bring bags into the stadium in order to help minimise delays and contact due to searches at the turnstiles.
Follow signage and instructions from stewards in the areas closest to players of both teams in the Breedon Stand and help us to safeguard the health of players, officials and supporters by reducing congestion the tunnel area before or after the game.
Opening times
Stadium turnstiles are open from 1.15pm in the North Stand and 1.30pm in other areas.
Travel and Parking
Tigers matchday bus services are in operation on routes from Loughborough, Market Bosworth, Market Harborough and Oakham.
Places must be booked before matchday. Click here for details.
Parking spaces at Freeman’s Common are pre-book in advance only.
Wellbeing and Safety
To help preserve the safety and wellbeing of all stadium visitors, supporters are requested to wear a face-covering in indoor areas and congested areas around other people, and to follow directions of signage and stewards regarding entry and exit.
Take extra care over hygiene and sanitisation, and if a ball is kicked to you in the warm-up or in the game, please do not return it direct to the players or to the pitch. Instead, return to the ball boy team or a steward so it can be sanitised.
Making payments
The stadium runs cashless payments only, including shops, bars, kiosks and programme booths.
Bars and kiosks
Final Whistle in the North Stand is open for early arrivals. All other kiosks and bars open with the turnstiles from 1.30pm.
Returnable cups are used at all bars. Supporters can claim back their £1 deposit when cups are returned. Only 10 cups can be refunded by one person and persons over the age of 18 may redeem the cup. Proof of ID may be required.
Or you can support the Leicester Tigers Foundation by donating your cup in special collection tubes around the stadium, with £1 going towards the Foundation’s work in the community for every cup.
Pre-match
The main Club Shop in the Beehive Money Stand is open all day. The second shop in the North Stand is also open on matchdays and there are shop booths around the stadium for matchday essentials including the 100-page programme.
Season ticket holders receive a discount on shop purchases. Supporters can use any Credit on their Tigers account to spend on shop purchases.
This week’s 100-page matchday programme includes a tribute to Tom Youngs who has announced his retirement as a player, a spotlight on visitors Bristol Bears and the weekend action in the Gallagher Premiership, all the facts and stats behind the team, and news and views from the club. Pick up a copy from club shops or the matchday essentials booths around the stadium, price £3.
This week’s fixtures in the Gallagher Premiership are dedicated to Restart, a charity which supports current and former players facing serious injury, illness or hardship, and to raising awareness and funds to support players’ mental health.
Club partners fourfive and NFU will be meeting supporters on the plaza outside main reception in the build-up to the game.
Both teams will wear Restart T-shirts in the warm-up and there are a number of ways to show support for the cause. Click here for more details.
Kick-off
Former club captain Tom Youngs will lead out the team at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for a final time so please ensure you are in your places in good time for kick-off.
Guard of Honour and Flag Shaker teams play their part in the build-up to the game and welcome the teams.
One group of supporters will watch from The Best Seats in the House courtesy of club partners Mattioli Woods, and there is a chance to win a free pint in the Topps Tiles Golden Tile promotion.
Young fans can also take part in new Fox’s Supporters’ Bingo activity to play during the afternoon.
Half-Time
We welcome our Matchday Coaching Clinic groups on to the pitch and share in the Prima Tiger Cup Celebration Day presentations for under-10s teams from clubs across the region.
The Big Boot, sponsored by De Montfort University, provides a test of skill and nerve on the pitch and two supporters will also have a chance to win in the STIHL Blower game.
Ollie Perryman, representing Tigers and Project Rugby, will bring out the matchball ahead of kick-off in the second half.
Voting to find the Fans’ Favourite opens for the second half on the club app and the winner will be announced at the end of the game.
Post-match
Supporters must keep off the pitch at all times.
The players will acknowledge the crowd from the pitch at full-time. They are unable, though, join supporters on the touchlines.
Please do not wait and gather at the front of the stands as we aim to reduce congestion and close contact in those areas.
Final Whistle in the North Stand – with live music from resident band Rock Bottom – and the Droglites bar in the Mattioli Woods Stand remain open at the end of the game.
The ticket office in the beehive Stand shop, the matchday ticket booths and the phonelines – call 0116 319 8888 (option 2) – will all remain open for an hour after the game with tickets for next Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster on general sale now.
If you are unable to attend
Saturday’s game is not being covered live by BT Sport, but there is live coverage with PRTV. See the Premiership Rugby website for details.
Wherever you are, you can follow updates using with the Matchday Live service on the club app and website, or via the club’s social media.
