It’s the Big Kick-Off on Sunday as Leicester Tigers host Bath in the opening round of the new season. Here’s our matchday guide to what’s in store.
The day starts early on Sunday, with Tigers In The Park open from 11.00am ahead of kick-off at 3.00pm.
Tigers In The Park, now in its seventh year, is a free community event for all the family, with activities, attractions and entertainment all the way up to kick-off in the opening home game of the season.
This year’s attractions include music from Tabi Gervis of The Voice Kids fame, local band The Smarties and dancers Original Movements, plus the Gabhru Panjab De Bhangra group, party games with club mascot Welford, and daring double act Mr and Mrs Danger.
There’s a bouncy castle, inflatable giant slide, trampoline, laser tag, obstacle course and petting farm, as well as the Tigers Maul, tag rugby taster sessions and Fordy’s Kicking Challenge.
The Bhangra drummers will lead the march to the stadium at 2.40pm.
We ask all supporters to make sure you are in your place in time to welcome the teams AND take part in the start of celebrations for the club’s 125 years at Welford Road. Find out more about how you can take part in the celebrations just before kick-off by clicking here.
Tigers go into the opening match of the Aviva Premiership season on the back of three warm-up wins, including a six-try show against the Ospreys last Friday. Matt Toomua was among the tryscorers, Manu Tuilagi made his return from long-term injury, Ben Youngs teamed up with England colleague George Ford at half-back for the first time in club colours since 2013 and Jonny May ran in two tries on his first appearance for the club.
Ford runs out against his old club on Sunday, with Freddie Burns making an immediate return to Leicester after signing for Bath in the summer. Click here for all the team news from both camps.
The Tigers’ new home and away kit for 2017/18 will be in store this weekend. The Club Store in the Holland & Barrett Stand is open all day, with the second store in the Robin Hood Stand open and extra units inside the stadium.
Turnstiles open at 1.30pm. 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 in the stadium.
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 from 11.30am this week as part of the opening-day festivities and there will be a player appearance in the approach to kick-off.
Stadium bars and food kiosks open at 1.30pm and there are additional units at Tigers In The Park.
A SwipeStation ‘click and collect’ service is now in operation at Welford Road, for an initial trial period in the Final Whistle bar and concourse only, to help reduce waiting times and increase efficiency. Download the SwipeStation App on your phone and collect your drinks from the fast lane at the bar. For full details of how to download the App and use it on matchdays, click here.
Glass return points are now available in the bars as well as in extra points around the stadium.
Pick up a special edition of the Tigers matchday programme this weekend which includes a new update to the Official History Book.
The 100-page programme includes a welcome to the squad’s new signings including George and Joe Ford, Jonny May and Sione Kalamafoni, plus news from Welford Road and our pick of social media interaction. The Official History Book Update features all the stats from the last three seasons. Pick up your programme/history package from around the stadium and at Tigers In The Park for the special price of £4.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
Half-time entertainment this week includes The Ultimate Big Boot and there is also the Tigers Lotto draw for one fan to win the value of their season ticket.
Official matchday bus services run by Centrebus are in operation on routes from Market Bosworth, Market Harborough and Oakham. For full details, including timetable, click here.
Fan Radio sets – allowing supporters to listen to the referee microphone and BT Sport commentary during home games – are available in the Club Shop, ticket office and around the ground at a cost of £15 for the whole season. If you have a Fan Radio from last season it will still work throughout 2017/18.
Match tickets remain on general sale at the Tigers ticket office. The ticket office is open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday and up to kick-off time on Sunday. Book in person at Welford Road or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2). Or book online any time. There is a print-at-home option for all tickets bought online.
The ticket office is also open for an hour after the final whistle for match ticket sales for fixtures in the first half of the season, including the matches with Munster and Saracens in December. Click here for details.
For any supporters unable to attend Sunday’s game but who want to forward their season ticket to friends or family for this fixture, The Hub is now active at hub.leicestertigers.com. For further details, click here.
The Tigers Club Store also remains open for an hour after the game.
Resident band Rock Bottom will perform in Final Whistle after the match.
If you are picking up any pre-paid match tickets on your way to the game, the Collection Point is based on the plaza outside main reception.
All existing season ticket cards have been updated to include the new season’s fixtures. New cards have been sent to supporters who have changed seat details or price category only. If you think you should have had a new card for any reason but have not yet received it, please contact the Tigers ticket office now.
