The Bantams are set to welcome supporters back to the Utilita Energy Stadium for the first time in close to a year and a half tomorrow - with the visit of Oldham Athletic.
'The Homecoming' will see over 16,000 supporters back inside Valley Parade (3.00pm), as Derek Adams' men look for their first victory of the campaign.
And, with City's home looking a little different to how it did the last time supporters packed inside, we have put together a handy Matchday Guide - with everything you need to know ahead of the game.
TICKETS
Supporters are reminded admission will remain available - at a discounted rate - until 5.00PM ON FRIDAY AUGUST 13. Prices will then rise for tickets purchased on the day of the game.
The box office at the Utilita Energy Stadium will remain open right up until kick-off, allowing those without tickets every opportunity to secure their place inside.
Supporters are reminded tomorrow's clash is an ALL-TICKET affair, with no admission available on the turnstiles. Awat supporters are politely asked not to travel to the Utilita Energy Stadium without a valid match ticket.
When purchasing, supporters will have the option to either receive a physical ticket or an electronic ticket to be sent via e-mail.
This e-ticket can either be printed at home and brought along to the game to be scanned on turnstiles, or simply displayed on a smartphone or mobile device to admit entry on the day.
The clash will see the debut of City’s all new Family Pass (2x Adult, 2x Under-12) - available for just £45 - FROM THE BOX OFFICE ONLY - UNTIL 5.00PM ON FRIDAY AUGUST 13.
Supporters will also be able to secure a suite upgrade for the encounter - subject to availability.
This can be purchased both online via the club's ticketing website or at the Utilita Energy Stadium ticket office, right up until kick-off on the day of the game.
In addition to a full suite upgrade, supporters who wish to sit in their usual seat to enjoy the match action, but spend time in one of the Utilita Energy Stadium's hospitality suites before the game, can also do so.
These upgrades will be available in the Bantams Bar, The McCall Suite and The Hendrie Suite for an additional £10 on top of the relevant admission charge.
This offer can only be purchased BEFORE the day of the game - with no purchases on matchday - and can only be secured from the ticket office at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
With demand expected to be high, supporters who do not hold a ‘Take Me Home’ season ticket for the 2021/22 campaign are urged to secure their place at the encounter as early as possible, to SAVE on matchday admission prices.
For full details on matchday admission prices for the contest, please CLICK HERE.
To purchase your ticket, please CLICK HERE.
COVID-19
The club will continue to remain cautious of the threat of COVID-19, by implementing advisory measures on matchday. To read the club's Spectators Code of Conduct, please CLICK HERE.
These measures WILL NOT be compulsory, though supporters are advised, where possible, to obey the following procedures - to keep themselves and others safe:
- Arrive early to avoid queues. Turnstiles will be open from 1.00pm
- Wash hands regularly (use of sanitising stations throughout the stadium)
- Wear a face mask when in internal and crowded areas
- If not consuming alcohol, head straight to your seat - and avoid congregating in concourses
- Be courteous to others at all times. Maintain social distance from those not inside your bubble
- After the game, please remain seated until it is safe for you to exit the stadium socially distanced
- DO NOT ATTEND if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been ordered to self-isolate
To view the club’s full spectators code of conduct, please CLICK HERE.
‘TAKE ME HOME’ 2021/22 SEASON TICKETS
Supporters should now have received their ‘Take Me Home’ 2021/22 season-ticket cards through the post.
Any supporter experiencing issues with delivery - or who has any other concerns, queries or issues regarding their season ticket or card - is asked to contact the ticket office immediately.
All season-ticket-related enquiries must be brought to the attention of ticket office staff by 5.00PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 13) in order to be resolved in time for the game.
To contact our dedicated ticketing team, please e-mail ticketingsupport@bradfordcityafc.com, phone 01274 770012 or visit the box office at the Utilita Energy Stadium. For any other general enquiries, between office hours, please e-mail helpdesk@bradfordcityafc.com or Tweet @bcafchelp.
To read the club’s full season ticket terms and conditions, please CLICK HERE. To view the club’s full season ticket frequently asked questions, please CLICK HERE.
DIRECT DEBIT
Supporters who have purchased their ‘Take Me Home’ 2021/22 season ticket via the club’s all-new direct-debit scheme are politely advised the following:
- If you are not up to date on your direct-debit payments at the time of the fixture, you will not be admitted entry at the turnstiles
- If your outstanding direct-debit payment has not been settled at the Utilita Energy Stadium ticket office by 12.00PM ON SATURDAY, you will not be admitted entry, and will have to resolve these issues at the ticket office.
To read the club’s full direct debit frequently asked questions, please CLICK HERE.
To purchase your ticket for this Saturday’s game - and SAVE on matchday admission prices - please CLICK HERE.
SMOKING
The Utilita Energy Stadium is a strictly NON-SMOKING venue. Anyone caught smoking on the premises - including the use of e-cigarettes - will be immediately be ejected and not permitted re-entry.
Similarly, any supporter who chooses to leave the stadium to smoke will not be readmitted at any point.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Supporters are politely asked to avoid bringing large bags to the stadium. If bringing food to the venue, smaller, see-through bags sized A4 are preferred.
Only plastic bottles will be permitted inside Valley Parade, with no glass bottles or cans allowed.
PYROTECHNICS & BEHAVIOUR
The club would like to remind supporters the possession or use of pyrotechnics inside a football ground is strictly prohibited.
Those found to be carrying or using pyrotechnics will face a long-term ban.
We would like to remind supporters it is a criminal offence to enter the pitch at any time.
Anyone who does so without permission can expect to face prosecution.
TURNSTILES & ENTRY
Turnstiles are set to open from 1.00pm on matchday, with pre-match entertainment to be provided via the electronic scoreboard inside the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Supporters are politely asked to leave plenty of time to travel, and arrive at the stadium as early as possible to limit queues in the lead-up to kick-off.
All sections of the stadium will be open, and the following is the best way to gain access to your seat:
- THE JCT600 FAMILY STAND (WEST): Turnstiles W3-W15, which can be located in the Directors’ car park either side of the glass doors to the banqueting suites, which can be accessed from Valley Parade or Burlington Street. The turnstiles will give access to season tickets and match tickets only. The late gate (open until half-time) will be W3, which is the turnstile nearest to Valley Parade. Supporters in wheelchairs can gain access to The JCT600 Family Stand (West) via Gate WD on Valley Parade - or via The Yorkshire Payments 1911 Main Reception, using the lift.
- NORTH WEST CORNER: Turnstiles NW3-NW6 - which can be located to the left of the box office as you approach it. The turnstiles will give access to season tickets and match tickets only. The late gate (open until half-time) will be NW6. Supporters in wheelchairs can gain access to the North West Corner through the One In A Million school compound, and then through Gate NWB.
- THE KOP (NORTH): There are two locations to gain entry to The Kop: behind the stand or from Midland Road. Turnstiles N1-N8 (four near to the box office and four near to the Bantams Bar entrance) are situated behind The Kop. The turnstiles will give access to season tickets and match tickets ONLY. The late gate (open until half-time) will be N1. Supporters in wheelchairs can gain access to The Kop through the One In A Million school compound and then through Gate ND. In addition, supporters can also gain entry to both levels of The Kop from Midland Road, using turnstiles N12-N14. The turnstiles will give access to season tickets and match tickets only. There will be no late gate for The Kop on Midland Road; N1 behind the Kop will remain open until half-time. Supporters in wheelchairs cannot access The Kop from Midland Road, and are asked to enter the stadium through the One In A Million school compound and then through Gate ND.
- THE MIDLAND ROAD STAND (EAST): Turnstiles E1-E6 on Midland Road will be open for this stand for this game. The turnstiles will give access to season tickets and match tickets only. The late gate (open until half-time) will be E6. Supporters in wheelchairs can gain access to the (East) Stand should gain access through Gate EA.
- AWAY SUPPORTERS: Away supporters can gain access to The Midland Road Stand Blocks F and G using turnstiles on Midland Road (closest to The TL Dallas Stand, which will be closed for this game). Please enter through E10, E11 or E12 - with E12 staying open until half-time. Please note that this is an all-ticket event with no pay on the day option available.
THE PARADER
Issue One of our matchday programme will once again be available to purchase around the Utilita Energy Stadium, after the club struck an extension to its agreement with Curtis Sport.
On sale for just £3, The Parader sees captain Niall Canavan takes centre stage on the front cover - and in The Big Interview where he discusses how excited he is to lead his team-mates out for the first time at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
The towering defender also outlines his ambitions for the season while speaking of his pride at being named club captain by manager Derek Adams.
Adams himself pens his first 'From The Dugout' column of his reign as Bantams boss, while chief executive officer Ryan Sparks provides an update 'From The Top'.
Sellers can be found outside the 1911 Yorkshire Payments Main Reception, outside The Kop, on the corner of Thorncliffe Road and Midland Road, at the top of Valley Parade, outside the visiting entrance on Midland Road and inside The JCT600 Family Stand concourse - from 1.00pm on Saturday.
THE CITY SHOP
The City Shop will be open right up until kick-off on Saturday, and for a short period after full-time, to enable supporters to get their hands on the club's all-new home, away and third strips, as well as the exciting new 2021/22 training range.
To read The City Shop's full opening hours, please CLICK HERE.
KIOSKS
Refurbished kiosks will be open for the very first time over the weekend, courtesy of the club's official kiosk catering partner, Tiffin Stadium Catering.
Fast-food products available for supporters to enjoy include the beef burger (£3.75), cheese burger (£4), chicken burger (£4) and hot dog (£4), which is also halal.
A renewed partnership also means the popular Pukka Pies (£3.50) will be available in kiosks, while pints of Carling can be purchased on draft for just £3.80, along with a range of snacks, and hot and cold soft drinks.
Meal deals are all available for just £7 from kiosks, with any pie and beer, burger and beer or hot dog and beer being served.
With brand-new EPOS machines also installed in the kiosks, supporters will be able to pay contactless - as well as with cash and chip card.
New and improved kiosks follow feedback from supporters, with Tiffin aiming to deliver quality food, speedy service and reasonable prices.
Refurbished kiosks will be open in Utilita Energy Stadium concourses from 1.00pm on Saturday, when turnstiles open.
ATMOSPHERE SECTION
Saturday will see the debut of the club's all-new atmosphere section, located in the North West Corner.
Expect signing, flags and noise to be coming from that section of Valley Parade, though all supporters heading to the game are encouraged to bring their scarves, flags and signing voices to get behind Adams and the Bantams.
OUR OPPONENTS
Oldham Athletic began their Sky Bet League Two campaign with a late 1-0 defeat at home to Newport County last Saturday.
This came before they advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening - with a penalty shoot-out victory over Tranmere Rovers.
Managed by Keith Curle, the Latics secured an 18th-placed finish last season, having faced the Bantams four times in all competitions.
WEATHER
A cloudy day is in store for those in attendance on Saturday, with highs of 18°C.
To view the club’s full spectators code of conduct, please CLICK HERE.
To purchase your ticket for this Saturday’s game - and SAVE on matchday admission prices - please CLICK HERE.