Gate Guide - Bath Rugby

Wednesday, August 29th 2018

Bristol Bears welcome Bath Rugby for the Gallagher Premiership season opener at Ashton Gate on Friday, August 31st (7.45pm KO).

Bristol Bears are set for a club record attendance as ticket sales surpass the 23,000 mark for the West Country derby.

Here’s your easy guide for what to expect, if you’re heading to BS3.

ORDER OF EVENTS

9:00am - Coffee Shop & Bristol Sport store open

9.00am - Home and away retail shirts on sale in store

3:00pm - Sports Bar Open

4:00pm - Fan Village Open

5:00pm - Matchday ticket office open

6:00pm - Turnstiles open and big screen entertainment begins

6.30pm - Meet players in the Ashton Gate store

7:30pm - Team announcements

7:40pm - Marines abseil the stadium to deliver match ball

7:45pm - Kick-off

STADIUM

The Dolman Stand and Lower West stand are both sold out, with limited availability throughout the rest of the stadium. Pay on the day will currently be available.

Following a supporter poll on social media, the musical theme of Friday's matchday will be 90s dance anthems.

TICKETS

Fans are urged to buy in advance to avoid disappointment, as tickets are selling fast for the derby.

This is a gold category fixture, with Forever Bristol members receiving the best possible price – a £5 discount on general sale rates and 2% Rewards cash for every home league ticket purchased.

To find out more and to purchase a £20 Forever Bristol membership*, click here.

TICKETS FOR BATH MATCH

PROGRAMMES

Bristol Bears interactive matchday programmes, which can be activated using the official club mobile app, are available from each of the concession stands inside the stadium.

Read more by clicking here.

Gallagher Premiership rugby referee radios will be available from the Bristol Sport Store.

FOOD & DRINK

Supporters can enjoy a revamped matchday experience at Ashton Gate this season, with a number of new additions to the stadium’s offering.

All concessions will be open throughout the stadium, with an offer of a FREE pint of Butcombe for the first 200 supporters at the new Butcombe Bar.

Eight bars outside in fan village, plus twelve beer caddies
New food and beverage offerings in concourse
Live bands and DJ pre and post-game
Launch of new branded sports bar and clubhouse
Two pint plastic cups return to Ashton Gate

Find out more about our revamped matchday experience by clicking here.

FAN VILLAGE

The Ashton Gate Fan Village opens at 4:00pm and fans will see the band Humbug live on stage as well as being able to experience many food and drinks concessions, including Mexican food, an Ale Bar, Fish & Chips, Tap & Hammer Bar, a Hog Roast, a Prosecco bar and Creperie.

Toilets for the fan village are situated in the South Stand.

RETAIL KIT LAUNCH

Home and away replica shirts are on sale from 9am on Friday, with pre-orders sent out prior to matchday. There will be pop-up merchandise stores in the fan village for supporters, too.

For more information, click here.

REWARDS

The Bristol Sport Rewards scheme, delivering Rewards cash to be redeemed across merchandise at the stadium, is set to be rolled out ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Rewards will be available to Season Card holders, Members and annual hospitality holders, offering Rewards cash to supporters, which can be spent exclusively on merchandise both online and in the Bristol Sport Store.

Supporters can earn between 2% and 5% Rewards cash for each additional home game ticket purchased, as well as for any merchandise bought online or in store (10% Rewards cash for season card holders and 5% for members).

Ashton Gate discounts for Season Card holders (10%) and Members (5%) remain in place in the concourses and concessions, but don’t forget, season and membership cards will need to be scanned at point of sale in order to claim the discount.

MARINES

Seven Royal Marines Commandos from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) based at Lympstone, Devon will be abseiling from the roof of the Dolman Stand including one who will deliver the match-ball.

HALF-TIME

The Community Department, who have a bucket collection around the stadium on the night, will host a mixed ability fixture at half time on the pitch, whilst supporters are advised that the Fan Village will remain open at half-time for food and drink purchases.

CLUBHOUSE AND NEWLY BRANDED SPORTS BAR

The clubhouse and newly branded sports bar will be open for supporters after full-time, with live music and Q&As with players and coaches.

GETTING HERE

Supporters are urged to get here early due to the volume of fans attending the match on Friday night.

There are a selection of new and improved bus services on Friday, including a free service from Henbury, which can be viewed here.

MATCH SPONSOR - Poplar Installation

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - Jeff-way