Leicester Tigers return to Welford Road this evening after a four-month absence for the pre-season fixture against Italian visitors Benetton Treviso. Here is our guide to what is in store for supporters.
Head coach Matt O’Connor includes six new signings in the Tigers squad as well as Matt Toomua, Logovi’i Mulipola and Tom Brady on their return from injury, while visitors Treviso include a group of senior internationals including Edoardo Gori and Tommaso Allan.
This is the first home game in the countdown to the start of the new Aviva Premiership season and Tigers will look to build momentum following a 21-14 victory over the Ospreys in Wales last Friday.
The team will return to home ground for an Ospreys rematch next Friday (August 25) and then kick off against Bath on Sunday, September 3 (3.00pm) in Round 1 of the Aviva Premiership season.
All areas of the stadium will be open on Friday, with turnstiles open from 6.15pm ahead of kick-off at 7.45pm.
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 the game and there will be a player appearance in the approach to kick-off.
All internal bars and food kiosks open at 6.15pm.
Please note that bag searches are now in place at the turnstiles in accordance with ground regulations, and supporters are encouraged not to bring bags to the stadium. Please allow plenty of time to get to your turnstile and into your place inside.
If you are attending the game, don't forget to click 'Going' on the Tigers Facebook page.
Tom Croft, Ben Youngs, Manu Tuilagi and George Ford are included in the matchday shift at the 96 Coffee By Numbers stall in Final Whistle pre-match, with speciality coffee and doughnuts on the menu.
This week sees the launch of a new SwipeStation ‘click and collect’ service in the Final Whistle bar to reduce waiting times and increase efficiency of service. Click here for full details of how to download the App and use it on matchdays.
The Tigers 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.
Half-time entertainment includes The Ultimate Big Boot and the Nottingham Building Society Challenge this week.
Please note that the official matchday bus services run by Centrebus are not in operation for the two pre-season fixtures, but will resume in time for the match against Bath on September 3. Full details, including timetable, will be published on the club website in advance of that fixture.
The ticket office will remain open for an hour after the match for season ticket sales and match tickets for upcoming home games as well as the Round 2 trip to Northampton Saints.
The Tigers Club Store also remains open for an hour after the game.
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 this Friday. 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.
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.
Friday’s match is included in season tickets. All existing season ticket cards have been updated to include the 18 games in the new season. 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.
