Match Day Guide

"The essential thing to do is to go see Ulster Rugby play on a Friday night. The team have had their home matches on Fridays since I was a teenager – it was a real rite of passage to go to 'the Fortress'. You’ll be standing there on a cold winter’s night, spilling half your pint because you’re shaking, but the place is packed and the atmosphere is unbelievable. Get a ticket - you won’t regret it."

- Jamie Dornan

Ulster Rugby's match days at Affidea Stadium are among the best experiences in club rugby.

Below is the key information for planning your visit, and what you can expect at a typical match day.

Note that all Season Ticket and match ticket holders will be emailed a more specific match day guide ahead of each game.

Match Day in a Minute

What Ulster Rugby match days look like...

Tickets

The easiest way to browse and purchase Ulster Rugby match tickets is via our Ticketmaster event listings page at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

Full details, including ticket pricing and stadium map, can be viewed at ulster.rugby/tickets/match-tickets.

Getting to Affidea Stadium

For each home fixture at Affidea Stadium, we provide free Park & Ride services, free city centre shuttle buses, plus additional parking and public transport options.

Full details can be found at ulster.rugby/stadium/directions.

Entering & Exiting the Stadium

Turnstiles typically open 2 hours before kick-off.

There are two sets of turnstiles - on Mount Merrion Avenue and Onslow Parade.

Digital Tickets

Ulster Rugby operate a fully digital ticketing system. Follow the five simple steps below to ensure you can quickly and easily enter the stadium on match days:

1. Log into your Ticketmaster account on the device you will be using to access the stadium.
2. Download your digital pass or ticket onto your device.
3. When you arrive at the stadium, please have your Digital Ticket ready to scan entry.
4. At the turnstiles, present the QR code on your device in front of the contactless reader.
5. Make your way through the turnstile and enjoy the match!

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Entertainment

Fan Zone

• Affidea Stadium has a buzzing Fan Zone, located just inside the two main sets of turnstiles. The Fan Zone will be up and running from gates open each match day.
• There will regularly be free giveaways such as Ulster Rugby flags, so you can make some noise for the Ulster men!
• Ulster Rugby's official media partner, Cool FM, will be in attendance with the Cool Crew providing the pre-match soundtrack.
• Often there will also be giveaways and activations from our official sponsors and partners.
• Keep an eye out for our team mascot Sparky, who will be out and about the Fan Zone pre-match and in position around the stadium bowl during the game.

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Build up to Kick-Off

• From approximately 20 minutes prior to kick-off, a pitch-side presenter will warm up the crowd, introducing our official mascots, making any special occasion shout-outs, announcing the team lineups and welcoming both teams to the pitch.
• For evening fixtures during the darker nights, there will be an impressive light show, which will last for around one minute. (The lighting system has been designed and engineered to best-practice standards, to minimise the risk for people with epilepsy.)
• And finally, don't forget to sing the official team song as the Ulster players make their way on to the pitch. It's quite easy to remember: "Stand up for the Ulster men, Stand up for the Ulster men, Stand up for the Ulster men, Stand up for the Ulster men..."

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Also on the Pitch

• At half-time, there are usually exhibition rugby games featuring young players representing the clubs of Ulster.
• Also at half-time, an Ulster player does a live interview on the pitch before helping Sparky to toss signed rugby balls into the AbbeyAutoline Family Stand, so get ready to catch and see which player has signed yours!

Player meet and greet

• Members of the playing squad will meet supporters, sign autographs and pose for photos outside the player’s entrance at the back of the Grandstand, from approximately 15 minutes after full-time.

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Food and Drink

Food Village

• Located within the Fan Zone, supporters have a choice of a variety of cuisines from fish & chips to burritos and pizza. Sweet treats are on offer along with teas, coffees and hot chocolate drinks. Please note all food offerings are subject to change.

Public Bars

• There are six public bars at Affidea Stadium - our giant stretch tent inside the Fan Zone, two at the back of the Memorial Stand, two at the back of the Grandstand and one at the corner of East Terrace / Family Stand. All public bars will be in operation from gates open.
• There will be live music from local artists in the Clubhouse Bar both pre and post-match.
• Drinks can be consumed inside the public bars, within the Fan Zone or in your seats / terrace.

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Ticket-only Bars / Lounges

• The 1924 Bar in the Grandstand is open for pass holders only. Light food provided by The Yellow Door will be available.
• The newly refurbished Spirit of '99 Lounge is also located in the Grandstand, and ticket holders here will be served two-course meals.  There will also be live music from local artists in this lounge.
• Supporters in the A&L Goodbody Lounge, located in the Premium Stand, can avail of exclusive premium dining options before watching the match in style, then dancing the night away with post-match entertainment.
• Full details on match day hospitality packages can be viewed at ulster.rugby/tickets/hospitality.

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Retail

• The Castore Shop is located in the middle of the back of the Memorial Stand, and is open from gates open until 30 minutes post-match.
• The Castore Shop stocks a range of Ulster Rugby merchandise, including official kits, training range and leisurewear.

Payment Methods

• The Food Village, Castore Shop and public bars only accept contactless payments.

Accessibility

• Affidea
• Stadium is fully accessible, offering a limited number of disabled parking spaces, wheelchair accessible turnstiles at both entrances and lifts to optimal viewing places within the Grandstand, Memorial Stand and Family Stand.
• The Memorial Stand is the closest stand to the entrances for spectators with limited mobility. Please contact the ticket team for advice on accessible ticketing via email tickets@ulsterrugby.com or by phone 028 9049 3222.
• Audio descriptive match commentary earpieces to enhance the match experience for people affected by sight or hearing loss are available from the Admin Building reception.
• Accessible toilets are available beside all wheelchair areas. An accessible toilet including changing facility with hoist is available in the Heineken Quarter Bar on ground level.
• There is an Ambulant toilet cubicle available in all of the male and female toilets.
• For more detailed information on accessible facilities visit accessable.co.uk
• Ulster Rugby is a registered JAM Card Partner, meaning we have personnel and processes in place that allows people with a hidden disability or communication barrier to tell others that they need extra time and understanding in a private and easy way.

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Other Facilities

• Public toilets are available in all stands, and are regularly monitored and cleaned.
• Baby changing facilities are available in the Heineken Quarter Bar at the back of the Grandstand.
• If you have any other queries on match day, please feel free to approach a steward or member of our Welcome Team, who will be easily identifiable throughout the stadium in high vis jackets.

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Digital Match Programme

For each home fixture we produce a comprehensive digital match programme, which includes exclusive interviews with Ulster players and coaches, plus all the latest news and information on both teams.

All our official match programmes are available to view for free from 24 hours prior to each home fixture at ulster.rugby/matchprogrammes.