The opening match of the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship season against Peterborough United is almost upon us and we have put together a fans’ guide to ensure your return to Kenilworth Road is as smooth as possible!
Whilst some supporters have already returned to their second home for pre-season friendlies matches against Portsmouth and Brighton & Hove Albion, we appreciate that a number of you will not be used to the changes around the ground this season.
Please take some time to inform yourself on matters surrounding the Peterborough match…
Cashless Kenny
We would like to remind supporters that Kenilworth Road is now a cashless stadium, meaning all food and drink kiosks, bars and the Ticket Office are accepting card payments only.
Please ensure you bring a suitable payment method with you to avoid issues at the till when you visit.
This decision has been taken with the safety of supporters at the front of our minds and all of the information about the move to a cashless stadium and new access control measures can be found HERE with supporters’ FAQs HERE.
Travelling to Kenilworth Road
Parking is available at Power Court, and you can park up to three hours before kick-off and leave within an hour after the final whistle for £1.40.
To download your permit, simply follow these instructions:
- Click this link and complete the short form which includes your car’s number plate.
- Submit the form and click the link to download your permit which appears on the confirmation screen.
- Print the permit off and display it clearly on your dashboard when parking on a matchday.
- If you are parking on a Saturday afternoon, purchase a ticket for £1.40 from one of the machines and display it with your permit.
Alternatively, a list of public car parks can be found via the link HERE.
Arrive early / Join the tribute
Further to news published on Thursday, all supporters are urged wherever possible to arrive on Saturday with enough time to be seated for a minute’s applause to show their respects to fellow fans that have sadly passed during the 18 months since we last attended a fixture.
As well, there are a number of supporters who are still to collect their new season cards or matchday tickets. If this is the case, please allow additional time to do so before the match.
Full information can be found HERE.
COVID-19 precautions
Supporters are advised to enter the stadium at their own risk.
An NHS Covid pass is not required to enter the ground, nor proof of a negative test. But if you are displaying symptoms, awaiting test results or have been pinged and told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace prior to the day of the match, please do not attend.
The NHS QR code will be available at entrances for those who choose to check-in using the NHS Covid-19 app.
Face coverings
Please do continue to wear a face covering if you feel more comfortable doing so, and please also be sensitive to others if you choose not to wear a face covering.
We would also like to emphasise that club staff also have the right to choose whether to wear a face covering or not, so please respect every individual’s decision.
Hand sanitising
There will be extra hand sanitising stations around the stadium, at kiosks and in toilets. Please make use of these at every opportunity and leave in place for others to use after you.
High touchpoint areas will also be cleaned regularly throughout the game.
Shirt collection
We have seen significant pre-orders for the new 21/22 replica shirts over the past week and would like to thank every supporter who has purchased one.
The original due date for this season’s shirts was Friday 14th August, however all three replica shirts arrived at Kenilworth Road yesterday.
We know that many supporters have ordered their shirt for delivery, but we would like to give everyone the opportunity to collect their shirts before the first game of the season at home to Peterborough.
Therefore, everyone that has placed an order will be able to collect it from our Park Street store or outside the Club Shop at Kenilworth Road. Simply, show your order confirmation at one of the aforementioned collection points.
Our town centre store on Park Street will be open from 9am until 4pm on Saturdays, and 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Many of you will have paid for postage, we will of course refund this amount if you collect your order.
Simply email us a copy of your order confirmation after you collect your shirt, and we will reimburse your delivery charge.
Unfortunately, due to the short turnaround of the kit we will be unable to offer shirt printing prior to collection. However, anyone who has paid for personalisation can bring their shirts back to the Park Street store at a later date for printing.
Please note, adult small/extra large home shorts, infant kits and goalkeeper socks will not be arriving until later this month.
Programme
Programmes will be available to purchase outside the ground with two stations on the Kenilworth Apron, one on Oak Road and another on Maple Road.
Costing £3.50, they will also be available in the Club Shop, Main Stand kiosk and two kiosks in the Kenilworth Road Stand.
Kenilworth Road is now a cashless stadium and sellers outside the ground with have payment machine that will accept contactless payments. They will not accept cash or American Express.
Golden Gamble tickets will be available at the next home game against Birmingham, further details will be published ahead of that game.
Streaming
The EFL have confirmed this week that supporters will not be able to watch games on iFollow on Saturday afternoons in the UK and Ireland.
This is a decision made by the Football Association with no football matches permitted to be screened live domestically between the hours of 14:45 and 17:15 on a Saturday, as was the situation pre-Covid.
However, overseas supporters can watch all live Championship games provided that they have not been selected for international television broadcast in a territory that has an overseas broadcast provider.
For price details and further information about the iFollow streaming service, please click HERE.
Simon Pitts’ audio commentary will be available to iFollow Hatters subscribers and match pass purchasers.
See you soon!
Finally, with a sell-out crowd returning to Kenilworth Road, we ask you to be considerate of fellow supporters and our neighbours by leaving the stadium in a patient, responsible manner.
Thank you for your support and we hope your return to the Kenny is a good one!
COYH