Fans' Guide | Ipswich Town (H)

The FA, Premier League and EFL are together introducing new measures and stronger sanctions across the game to tackle the increased anti-social and criminal behaviours recently seen within football grounds and underline the importance of a safe matchday environment.      

The new set of actions, which will be implemented across all English football leagues from the start of Season 2022/23 and backed by the Football Supporters’ Association, will target activity such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects - as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour. 

These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences. They have no place in football, or anywhere.   

From the start of Season 2022/23, all identified offenders will be reported by clubs to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record, which may affect their employment and education, and could result in a prison sentence. The FA will also be enforcing a tougher charging and sanctioning policy for clubs, which will reinforce these measures.  

Furthermore, anyone who enters the pitch and those identified carrying or using pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will now receive an automatic club ban. These bans could also be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who take part in these activities.  

The safety of everyone attending a matchday is the game’s collective priority. We know the behaviours carried out by some fans last season do not represent the majority of supporters and they risk ruining the fantastic experience of a football match for everyone. Therefore, we are working with clubs to highlight the important role that fans, clubs, players and coaches all have to play in helping to create a safe environment.  

Our strong and collective approach reflects how seriously we all view this issue and the severity of the risks. Nobody should be intimidated or assaulted in their workplace. The pitch must remain safe for players, managers and match officials, just as the stands should be for supporters.   

To further support this action, The FA, Premier League and EFL are working with police forces, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), and the Crown Prosecution Service to establish a new principle for cases relating to pyrotechnics and smoke bombs, as well as entering the pitch without permission. This will mean cooperating to achieve a prosecution in these cases will become the default response of the football authorities and criminal justice system, sending a clear and unambiguous message to all who break the law.      

Other measures to be implemented include working with clubs to enhance search regimes and increased use of sniffer dogs at grounds. We will also be working in partnership with our clubs, players and managers, the Government, broadcasters, the police and social media platforms in seeking to discourage the further growth or acceptance of these behaviours across English football.  This includes working with social media platforms to establish new ways of quicker removal of fan-generated videos of illegal behaviour at football matches, including violent offences and pitch invasions. It also includes asking the Government to reform regulations to restrict the supply of pyrotechnics and smoke bombs.   

Following the sad news of the passing of former Argyle manager Dave Smith, a minute's applause will be held in celebration of his life and achievements in advance of kick off.

A special display has been designed by PAFC Displays, which will be unveiled ahead of kick off.

To hear more about the incredible career and achievements of Smith, check out our latest episode of the Argyle Podcast, dedicated to the Ciderman.

Following our successful first uses of the Big Screen at Home Park, we would like to thank supporters for their patience and feedback on their experience.

We continue to make ongoing enhancements to the running programme and operation of the screen, and observations are most welcome through email to feedback@pafc.co.uk

We have a Here to Help team stationed around Home Park on to ensure that all supporters get the answers and help they need to make the most of matchday.

Our Here to Help team are stationed outside Home Park from 10.00am, staffing posts including the information booth in the Park and Ride car park, outside the Home Park Ticket Office and Argyle Superstore, the Family Zone, the top of the steps approaching the Lyndhurst Road Stand and outside of the away end.

Members of the Here to Help team can be identified by their striking purple high-visibility jackets.

Please note that the usual Park & Ride bus services are not running to the Outland Road car park this weekend - but the car park will be open as usual.

The car park will be open as usual, but supporters are advised to arrive early as the fixture is going to be well attended.

 

Tickets remain available to purchase online at argyletickets.com, but the Home Park Ticket Office will also be open up until kick-off for supporters wishing to purchase on the day of the fixture.

Turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off, from 10.30am. Supporters are advised to enter through the turnstile identified on their match ticket. However, if neighbouring turnstiles have shorter queues, supporters are permitted to enter these to speed up access to the stadium.

Supporters seated in blocks 5, 6 or 7 (the Devonport End and Lyndhurst Road Stand corner) are now permitted to enter turnstiles at either the Devonport End or Lyndhurst Road Stand.

As always, we encourage supporters to make use of digital tickets wherever possible, reducing queuing times at the Ticket Office, as well as the impact of ticket production. Click here to read more about digital tickets.

Ipswich Town supporters can purchase from the away turnstiles in the Barn Park End.

Our outstanding Argyle Community Trust team will be providing a whole host of free family friendly sports and games just outside the stadium, beginning at 9am.

Activities include inflatable football, dodgeball, tennis and archery, and the event can be accessed outside of the Devonport End, very close to the entrance to the seated family area in block 6, and adjacent to the main car park.

Families interested in participating in these free activities can simply turn up from 9am and get involved. However, for specific queries or further information, you are welcome to email community@pafc.co.uk.

If it is your first time visiting the Theatre of Greens, please click here to check out our first-time fans guide.

From 10.30am, the popular Mayflower Grandstand Fan Zone is once again open for this fixture, offering supporters access to delicious food and drink.

Located within the gated area behind the Lower Mayflower, the Fan Zone aims to provide the best-ever match-day experience for the Green Army seated on that side of the stadium.

The new catering vendors located within the Mayflower Fan Zone will serve a range of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks, as well as offering fresh and delicious food – including hot dogs, fries, pasties, pulled pork baps and baguettes.

Copies of our award-winning match-day programme, The Pilgrim, are once again available around the stadium for purchase at £3, while a limited number will also be available to purchase from the Argyle Superstore.

The Superstore will be open until 30 minutes after full-time, selling a range of Argyle memorabilia, replica kits, and souvenirs - including the freshly released, limited edition 22/23 third kit.

For any accessibility or match-day support queries, our dedicated Disability Liaison Officer can be contacted on disability@pafc.co.uk.

Sensory packs, which include a drawstring bag, ear defenders, fidget spinners, a sensory ball, an awareness card and lanyard, as well as further match-day information, are now available for children who need them – free of charge. Click here to find out more.

Concession kiosks will be open, serving a range of food and beverages.

There will be a discount of 25% on all products purchased from food and beverage kiosks inside the stadium between 10.30am-11.15am.

Meanwhile, toilet facilities will continue to operate with a one-way system. In order to avoid large queues at peak times (e.g half-time), we advise supporters to plan ahead for toilet breaks, using facilities when they are likely to be less busy.

We encourage fans to pay using contactless methods wherever possible to reduce queuing times. Supporters are advised that the concessions in the Upper Mayflower Grandstand operate on a cashless basis.

Outside the stadium

On your approach to Home Park, you will notice a number of external catering venues offering hot food and refreshments. Please note that prices and menus at these outlets are not controlled by the club, and are subject to change. There is also a food court inside the Mayflower Grandstand Fan Zone, offering a range of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks, as well as offering fresh and delicious food – including hot dogs, fries, pasties, pulled pork baps and baguettes. As above, these kiosks are not operated by the club, and prices are subject to change.

Inside the stadium

Our food and beverage kiosks throughout the stadium serve a range of food, beverages, and alcoholic drinks, stadium-wide. Please see an indicative menu and pricing below.

Snacks

Hot drinks

Cold drinks

Alcohol

Draught alcohol (half pint/full pint)

Meal deals

It's not just team news and ticket information available on the official Argyle App, there are lots of fun ways to enhance your match day and prove your football knowledge to the rest of your family!

Take our pre-match quiz to see how much you really know about the opposition, and don't forget to vote for your Man of the Match from our shortlist of four contenders straight after the final whistle.

Not got the App yet? Click here to download free on Android devices, and here for Apple.

Supporters should be prepared to be searched by our security team as they enter the stadium.

Wherever possible, we will ensure that 'wand' searches are also undertaken by members of the same gender. If that is not the case upon entry, and you feel at all uncomfortable, please raise this with a member of the security team - who will make the necessary arrangements.

As with all major sporting events, bringing bags to the stadium is actively discouraged. However, fans arriving at Home Park with a small personal bag (for example, medical bags or handbags) capable of being stowed under seats is permitted. Please note, supporters should expect this to be searched before entry.

We ask that supporters arrive in plenty of time to avoid queues forming as kick-off approaches.

A reminder that supporters can tune in to our free pre-match show live!

Whether you are in the stands at Home Park, on the way to the game, or watching from home, simply go to our YouTube channel from 11.30am to enjoy live build-up featuring Argyle TV's Erin Black and Charlie Price, as well as former promotion-winning Pilgrim Brian McGlinchey.

Audio commentary of the game is available for £2.50 in the UK, and live video streaming is available for overseas supporters. Click here to see what is available in your region.

The game is being broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports.

The Argyle Superstore, located next to the Home Park Ticket Office by the main entrance to the Mayflower Grandstand, is open until 30 minutes after full-time.

In addition to the Superstore, there is a large pop-up retail outlet located on the corner of the Devonport End, stocking all supporter favourites - this is open until kick-off.

An additional retail kiosk is available inside the stadium, in the concourse of the Lyndhurst Road Stand.

Outland Road Car Park, adjacent to Home Park is a very large – and free! – car park. It is council-run, and is typically a park-and-ride car park into the city. It is free to use on match-days, but will obviously begin to fill up very early for many fixtures, especially local derbies, Bank Holiday fixtures, etc.

Additional street parking is available surrounding Home Park, but please be mindful of local residents, park sensibly, and be aware of any parking restrictions and permit areas.

There are also several large pay and display car parks in the city centre, which is within walking distance of Home Park, but not advised for those who struggle to walk beyond short distances.

As always, we encourage supporters to provide feedback on their experience at Argyle to feedback@pafc.co.uk.

We can’t wait to see you on Sunday, and hope you have a fantastic match-day experience at Home Park.