Get to the ground early

With two home friendlies coming up very quickly, we asked Wigan Athletic SLO Jason Taylor what we will await us as we enter the stadium for the first time in over 15 months. Here is a few observations ahead of the Stoke City game on Tuesday and Friday’s visit of Preston North End, both games kick off at 7.30pm:

As you would expect, there are less restrictions compared to a couple of weeks ago, for instance masks are now not compulsory though advised. For the last few weeks they were needed to get I to watch the game.

Another thing that has changed is the wait to get into the ground, prior to last Monday tickets were time banded, but now you can turn up at any time you wish to get into the ground with your prepaid ticket.

I will say, that when I have been down to ground for the rugby home game on Friday, the queues were not to bad up to 40 minutes before kick-off, but they became bigger from 30 minutes prior to the game starting.

This is due to the turnstiles not yet being synchronised with the ticket office, and this will more than likely be the case for our home friendlies, and maybe the first League home game.

Those who purchased and printed their tickets off before arriving at the stadium just had the one queue into the ground, those that rocked up on the night also had the added queue at the ticket office, as there is no pay on the gate.

The concourses are functioning as before, I understand only the Springfield and Boston Stands will be open for the friendlies. I also know the South Stand Bar will be open before and after the games too.

My advice is to get there early to avoid waiting as long to get in, definitely buy your tickets before arrival if you can to avoid queuing twice (once at the ticket office, once at the gates).

If you have any specific questions, please email on jason@wiganathleticslo.co.uk and I will do my best to find the answers.

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