City will welcome 2,000 supporters back to the Utilita Energy Stadium on Saturday, when taking on Doncaster Rovers in their first home pre-season friendly.
We have compiled a handy Matchday Guide - packed full of helpful information ahead of the fixture, including COVID-19 restrictions and stadium entry details.
Firstly, we would like to extend a warm welcome to Saturday's Big Match Sponsor, AE Spinks!
TICKETS
Supporters are reminded Saturday’s encounter is an ALL-TICKET affair, and there will be no admission available on turnstiles.
Supporters will have either received a physical ticket in the post or by visiting the Utilita Energy Stadium ticket office - or will have received an e-ticket, which can be printed at home and brought along to the game, or simply displayed on a smartphone or mobile device at the turnstile.
Supporters MUST enter the ground using their own ticket, in order to help the club record track and trace figures in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19. Each supporter will be admitted into the stadium through the scanning of a barcode - either on their physical ticket or e-ticket.
E-tickets are still available for Saturday’s encounter. To purchase, please CLICK HERE.
The ticket office at the Utilita Energy Stadium will remain open on matchday in order for supporters to both purchase tickets and collect physical tickets which have been ordered online.
Those who have experienced any issues with tickets, or have not yet received their tickets ahead of the game, are asked to contact the ticket office - by e-mailing ticketingsupport@bradfordcityafc.com or phoning 01274 770012 - in order to find a solution, BEFORE 5.00PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 16).
COVID-19
Various COVID-19 restrictions will be in place on matchday. Each supporter with a ticket will be e-mailed these prior to matchday, while updates will continue to be posted on the club’s official website and social-media channels.
For full details on COVID-19 restrictions to be in place on matchday, please CLICK HERE.
To read the club’s COVID-19 Spectators’ Code of Conduct, please CLICK HERE.
TURNSTILES AND ENTRY
Only the bottom tier of The Kop and the Midland Road Stand will be open for Saturday’s clash, with a maximum of 2,000 spectators to be admitted attendance.
All turnstiles are set to open from 1.30PM, with supporters asked to arrive as early as possible in order to avoid queueing and large gatherings outside the turnstiles. When waiting to be admitted through turnstiles, supporters are asked to socially distance at all times.
If your ticket means you will be seated in the lower tier of The Kop, you are asked to head for turnstiles N1, N4 and N8. If sitting in the Midland Road Stand, you will be able to enter through E1, E4 and E6.
For ease of access, anyone sitting in Block A, B or C of The Kop is advised to enter through either turnstile N1 or N4, while those in Block D or E should enter through N8.
Similarly, in the Midland Road Stand, those in Block A, B or C are advised to enter through either turnstile E1 or E4, while those in Block D or E should enter through E6.
The designated ‘late’ turnstiles for Saturday’s fixtures, for supporters who are not able to arrive at the Utilita Energy Stadium in time for kick-off, are N1 (The Kop) and E6 (Midland Road Stand). Both these turnstiles are set to remain open until half-time (around 3.45pm).
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 - including those using the stadium’s hospitality facilities - 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.
ROAD CLOSURES
Road closures will be in place around the stadium - from 1.00pm on Saturday until after full-time.
Midland Road will be closed from its junction with Thorncliffe Road - through to its junction with Cornwall Road.
The lower section of Holywell Ash Lane will also be closed from its junction with Lupton Street.
Access to the disabled parking spaces in front of Rear Rock Terrace will still be allowed from the Thorncliffe Road closure point.
ENTERTAINMENT
Due to COVID-19 restrictions still being in place at the Utilita Energy Stadium, no pre or post-match entertainment will be hosted on the day of the match.
There will also be no catering available within the concourses, with all kiosks CLOSED, and all banqueting and hospitality facilities inside the Utilita Energy Stadium also closed.
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.
OUR OPPONENTS
Doncaster Rovers have enjoyed the past four years in Sky Bet League One, having won promotion back from the fourth tier - at the first attempt - on the 2016/17 season.
Rovers are managed by former Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town and Salford City boss Richie Wellens, after former Bantam Darren Moore left the helm in March to take over at Sheffield Wednesday.
THE CITY SHOP
The City Shop will be open from 9.00am until 3.00pm ahead of tomorrow's clash, and will then re-open for a short period of time after the final whistle.
To read The City Shop's full opening hours, please CLICK HERE.
WEATHER
A hot, summer's day is expected at the Utilita Energy Stadium, with blue skies and highs of 26°C in store.
For full details on COVID-19 restrictions to be in place on matchday, please CLICK HERE.
To read the club’s COVID-19 Spectators’ Code of Conduct, please CLICK HERE.