Many of us are over the moon to finally be able to get back to watching live sport this season. There’s plenty of sport to be excited about as well, with some of the best football in the world on display in the Premier League and Women’s Super League, and some absolutely stellar rugby union matches coming up later this year. There are still some things you should bear in mind, however, as attending events is still far from a normal process. Here are our tips for making sure you have the best experience possible.
Buy your Tickets Directly Through the Team’s Website
The best way to ensure you’re not disappointed on the day is to try and get your tickets directly from a team’s website, as this will guarantee that you received valid tickets. Try to avoid buying tickets on resale or from ticket touts outside the ground, as there is no way to guarantee they are legitimate.
Check the Venue’s Entry Requirements
We are, unfortunately, still in the middle of a pandemic, and stadia are taking extra precautions to stop the spread of COVID. Some venues will require evidence of a negative test, or having been fully vaccinated before you are allowed to enter. Even if you are vaccinated, however, we still recommend that you buy Healgen antigen test kits and make sure you are COVID-negative on matchday, as this will protect your fellow fans. If you are not fully vaccinated, then make sure you do buy a Healgen antigen test kit and log your negative result, as a negative result may be required before you can enter the grounds.
Some stadia will also have set times for you to enter the ground and find your seat, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time for your slot and take your seat when you’re asked to.
Plan your Travel to the Match
Matchdays are often synonymous with crowded trains and standstill traffic, although it’s easy to forget that since we’ve not had full stadiums for so long! Make sure you plan well in advance when you’re travelling, taking potential delays into account. If you’re travelling by train, try to get your ticket ASAP, as this will keep the costs down. If you can, try to travel at a quieter time, as this will allow you to avoid large crowds whilst travelling to and from the match. Try to wear a mask when using public transport as well.
Avoid Bringing Cash
Over the last year, we’ve seen more and more businesses transition to being cash-free, and vendors at sporting events will be no different. Using a contactless card lessens the risk of spreading COVID, so it’s likely that many vendors will not be accepting cash at these events. Make sure you have your card topped up and ready to go to buy food and drink on the day.
Return your Cups
Increasingly, venues are now operating cup deposit schemes when you buy drinks. This will normally involve a £1 deposit being taken as part of the cost of buying a drink, which will be returned to you if you bring the reusable cup back to the bar. Make sure to take advantage of this – you might even be able to turn a profit if you find enough cups!
Get Ready to be Thrilled!
There’s nothing quite like being in a packed stadium, full of fans egging their team on, and we know you’re probably just as excited as we are to get stuck in. Enjoy yourself out there, and hopefully you’ll leave the ground happy with the result!