Almost 27,000 fans descending on Ashton Gate in Bristol for the all-conquering England Lionesses finale of the Arnold Clark Cup are being advised to plan how they are going to get there well in advance.
For the stadium in South Bristol is already sold out - and was weeks ago - for the double-header event. Organisers are expecting the streets around the ground to be packed, and because many of those venturing into BS3 might be making their first trip to Ashton Gate, they are urging people to work out public transport routes before they set off.
The climax to the Arnold Clark Cup - a four-team tournament being played this month across the country - is taking place on Wednesday, February 22, six days before another sell-out, when men’s champions Manchester City come to play Bristol City in the 5th round of the FA Cup, on February 28. And because of crowd segregation, security and stewarding, it’s expected there will be slightly more people attending the women’s matches than the men’s.
Read next: England Lionesses game at Ashton Gate already sold-out
England’s European Champions, complete with Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly, are playing a four-team competition alongside Belgium, South Korea and Italy, and both final matches are being played at Ashton Gate on the same afternoon and evening.
Ashton Gate are laying on park and ride shuttle buses, but they are already sold out. Ashton Gate Stadium’s managing director Mark Kelly said it was great to welcome the England Lionesses back to the ground where they last played in 2015 - at a time when half the ground was a building site.
“It has been incredible to watch the Lionesses’ journey and we’ve followed their success since hosting them here back in 2015. During that time, we completed our stadium redevelopment and we’ve been proud to host a number of high-profile international sporting and entertainment acts,” he said.
“Most recently, having the Red Roses play here, in their final warm-up match ahead of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand was incredibly poignant. To see them now about to compete in another World Cup Final is truly inspiring.
“I look forward to us playing our part in the Lionesses’ World Cup preparations and hopefully the perfect send-off, in front of what I’m sure will be another record crowd,” he added.
Read next:
- Three-week legal battle begins for the future of housing plan on Brislington Meadows
- New youth club in South Bristol opening in 2025 as millions approved
- Council apologises for 'incorrect' Clean Air Zone advice which saw Asda shoppers fined
- South Bristol tower block 'not affected' by river bank erosion
- 'Feral, savage' mob of 100 youngsters run amok in spree of violence at Cabot Circus
To keep up-to-date with the latest South Bristol news, join our community of subscribers with my South Bristol newsletter here.
