Matchday at Welford Road this Sunday kicks off with the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Oktoberfest and continues through a whole afternoon’s entertainment and activities at the home of the Leicester Tigers. Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your matchday.
Tigers host Sale Sharks in Round 5 of the Gallagher Premiership season, with both teams looking to kick on from the start of the campaign.
Geordan Murphy reveals his team selection at noon on Friday and we’ll have news from both camps on the Tigers website and the club’s official social media pages. Look out, too, for the match preview on the website ahead of the big game.
The Tigers ticket office and club store will be open throughout the weekend and from 900am on matchday.
Stadium turnstiles, bars and food kiosks open at 1.30pm.
The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Oktoberfest includes an oompah band and German beers from 12.15pm on the plaza, with inflatables for young supporters and a themed photobooth. Supporters can also find out more about STHIL TIMBERSPORTS and how to follow the action.
There are a number of changes in the food and drink outlets around the stadium this season, with extended use of SwipeStation providing a quick and simple way to order refreshments.
Download the Swipestation app and sign up, add your card details and you can place your order at any time – even before you get to the stadium. Print off the receipt at your nearest SwipeStation unit using your phone and present it to bar staff. You don’t even need wi-fi connectivity on your phone once you are in the stadium.
If you use the Tigers app, click on ‘Matchday Food and Drink’ to download the SwipeStation app for iOS and Android devices.
SwipeStation units are available in the Final Whistle Bar in the Holland & Barrett Stand, the Champions Bar in the Robin Hood Stand, and in fast lanes in the Breedon Stand and Mattioli Woods Stand.
Pie-and-pint options have been added to most bars in the Holland & Barrett concourse as well as Mattioli Woods Stand and in the Breedon Stand.
Gluten-free Peroni beer in available in 330ml bottles in Final Whistle, Crumbie, Droglites, Captains and Champions bars, and there is a new Lineout Bar in the south-east corner (between the Mattioli Woods and Breedon Stands).
Domino’s Pizza units are located in the Holland & Barrett Stand upper and lower concourse, and chips are available in Holland & Barrett Stand lower concourse and in the Robin Hood Stand.
There are new children’s food offers, too, at the Junior Tigers Club food unit in Final Whistle.
Please note that 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.
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.
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 at homes game in the Final Whistle area of the Holland & Barrett Stand, with activities on the plaza outside too and a player appearance in the build-up to kick-off. JTC membership is free to under-16s and you can sign up your youngster now by clicking here.
If you want to know how the young fan in your family can run out on the Welford Road turf on matchday, check the JTC pages of the club website using the link above.
Hear from inside the Tigers camp with a player Q&A in Final Whistle at 1.45pm with members of the first-team squad.
In the moments before kick-off, look out for the matchday mascots and the Tigers cubs who have the honour of running in a try on the Welford Road pitch before the big game.
We’ll also be joined by the Tigers flagshakers and 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 download the official Tigers app, you can use the ‘Big Screen’ function to submit photos of your matchday and a selection will be added to the gallery on the stadium screens.
Supporters can also vote for their LeoVegas Fan Favourite using the Tigers app during the second half of the game, with the winner announced at full-time.
The Club Store in the Holland & Barrett Stand now stocks the season’s replica shirts – home and alternate – as well as training kit and leisurewear. The store is open all day every day and there is a second store in the Robin Hood Stand and extra units inside the stadium on matchdays.
Half-time entertainment includes The Ultimate Big Boot and one season ticket holder will win the price of their ticket in a special TigersLotto draw. We’ve also got a special appearance from Welford the mascot this week.
Sunday’s 100-page match programme features a countdown to the European Cup action, the Junior Tigers Club pages, Fanzone and the news from inside Welford Road. Get your copy around the stadium, price £3.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus operate 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.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
After the match, there is 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.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are available now at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2)(open 9.00am-5.00pm Monday-Saturday and from (9.00am on matchday) or online any time.
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.
Pre-booked car parking is available on matchdays. This 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 Leicester City FC, which is a five-minute walk away from Welford Road. Cost is £6 per car, to be paid at the barrier.
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.
