Gate Guide: Barnsley

Friday, August 4th 2017

City kick-off the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship season against Barnsley at Ashton Gate tomorrow (3pm).

Here’s a guide of what to expect if you’re heading to Ashton Gate.

STADIUM

The South Stand, Dolman Stand and Lansdown Stand will be open for home supporters, including the new Family Area in the top tier of the Lansdown Stand.

Barnsley supporters will be housed in the Atyeo Stand.

TICKETS

A crowd of 18,000-plus is anticipated, with just over 1,000 Barnsley supporters travelling from South Yorkshire.

The match is pay on the day for home supporters only. To purchase on the day, call Supporter Services between 10am-1pm, or visit the Matchday Ticket Office - adjacent to the Atyeo statue - from 10am.

PARKING & TRAVEL

AG1, AG2 and AG4 First Bus routes will be operating.

For full information about Parking and Travel, click here.

SCOTT MURRAY'S GUIDE TO ASHTON GATE

SPORTS BAR & PIZZERIA

The new Fan Village will be in operation, with a raft of food and drink outlets, while the relaunched Sports Bar & Pizzeria will open its doors to City supporters from 10am. All tables are fully booked, but a takeaway service will be in operation. The Coffee Shop also opens at 10am.

Watch Celtic v Hearts before the match in the Sports Bar, while Aston Villa v Hull City will be broadcast after the game.

STORE

The Store at Ashton Gate will open from 9am. Remember, very limited stocks of the new home shirts are currently available.

SUPPORTERS CLUB & TRUST BAR

Access to the new Supporters Club and Trust Bar is via the Sports Bar & Pizzeria. Go through the main bar and up the stairs at the far end. The bar is on your left at the top of the stairs. There is a lift that takes you straight there as well.

RUCKSACKS

Ashton Gate Stadium asks supporters not to bring large rucksacks on matchdays, following advice from the National Counter Terrorism Office and Avon and Somerset Police.

Fans will still be able to bring smaller handbags into the stadium, although these will be subject to the usual search process.

An Ashton Gate spokesman said: “The searching process will always be subject to change and whilst there is no specific threat to any Sports Ground, we must ensure that we remain vigilant and the message to spectators is to ‘Be Alert not Alarmed’.”

If larger bags are brought to the stadium, they will be subject to a thorough search, with a bag and tag procedure in place.