Welford Road opens its doors for the first time in 2019 on Saturday as Leicester Tigers host Gloucester Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership. Kick-off is at 3.00pm and here’s our Matchday Guide as to what is in store on the day.
Stadium turnstiles, bars and food kiosks open at 1.30pm and you can hear from inside the Tigers camp with a player Q&A in Final Whistle at 1.45pm.
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.
Food options inside the stadium include pie-and-pint offer 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.
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 and pick-up points, click here.
The Junior Tigers Club area in Final Whistle is open for two hours ahead of kick-off to every home game and provides a chance for to win a place a matchday mascot or Tiger Cub, as well as a player appearance before the game. JTC membership is free to under-16s and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
Tigers Flag Wavers and Guard of Honour will be on the pitch 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.
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.
Sunday’s 100-page match programme includes a focus on New Year fixtures, a spotlight on visitors Gloucester, the Junior Tigers Club pages, Fanzone photos and the news from inside Welford Road. Pick up your copy around the stadium, price £3.
Please note that 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.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
You can use the ‘Big Screen’ function on the Tigers app to submit photos of your matchday and a selection will be shown on the stadium big screens.
Half-time entertainment on the pitch includes The Ultimate Big Boot and we’ll name this week’s TigersLotto season ticket winner as well as welcoming participants in the day’s Tigers Matchday Coaching Clinics.
We will be joined by representatives of The Bridge – Hopelessness to Hope which is an official club charity this season and they will be conducting a matchday collection in support of their work with the homeless in the city.
After the match, there is live music in Final Whistle with resident band Rock Bottom, and the main Club Store and ticket office will remain open for an hour after the final whistle.
Match tickets for Saturday are still available. 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.
Team news from both camps is announced at noon on Friday on the Tigers website and official social media pages. Look out, too, for the online match preview on Saturday morning with all the facts and figures behind the big 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.
