We have put together a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) ahead of the potential return of fans for our Sky Bet League One game against Gillingham on Saturday 19th December.
PARKING
The car park will be closed to all spectators, with the exception of wheelchair disabled supporters who can purchase a space at a cost of £5 per game. These will be sold on a first come, first served basis and there are 12 available in total. For more information please contact the Ticket Office directly, either by calling 01706 644648 (option 1) or by emailing tickets@rochdaleafc.co.uk
ARRIVAL TIMES
The turnstiles will open one hour and 15 minutes (11:45am) before kick-off for the Gillingham fixture (1pm kick-off).
Whilst we ask fans to arrive in plenty of time, please ensure you arrive no earlier than 11.45am. This will help ensure time spent waiting around pre-match is kept to a minimum.
HOW TO ENTER THE STADIUM
Season Card holders and those in possession of a match ticket will have their relevant turnstile marked clearly on their Season Card / match ticket. It is important that supporters use their designated turnstile. If you attempt to gain access through a different turnstile to that which you have been designated, it will not accept your ticket. Signage is place or you can ask one of our stewards for guidance.
Cash turnstiles are no longer in operation at the Crown Oil Arena. These have been replaced with a barcoded entry system. Season Card holders should scan their card, while those in possession of a match ticket should scan the bar code on their ticket.
Please use the social distancing markers outside the turnstiles whilst waiting to enter. Ensure that your ticket is ready for scanning and that you are at the correct turnstiles before attempting to scan your ticket.
WILL THERE BE PRE-ENTRY CHECKS?
Supporters are asked to bring a minimal amount of belongings. We encourage fans, where possible, to avoid bringing any bags. If you do, you may be asked to show the contents of this to our stewards. This is in order to help keep everyone inside the Stadium safe.
WHERE ARE THE SANITISING STATIONS
Please use the hand sanitisers provided.
Sanitising stations will be placed at every entry to the turnstiles. You will also find them positioned next to the toilets, in addition to the hand wash facilities in there.
FOOD & DRINK
Kiosks will not be open.
Supporters are welcome to bring their own food and drink into the game. However, please note that alcohol is not permitted, nor are any drinks in glass bottles or cans. Any supporter found with a glass bottle or a can will be requested to leave them at the turnstiles and collect them when leaving the stadium.
TOILETS
All toilets within the ground are open.
There is a restriction on the number of supporters allowed in each toilet block at any one time, to ensure they remain Covid-safe. These restrictions are clearly signed on the entrances to the facilities.
Please maintain social distancing when queuing and plan to use such facilities at less busy times (i.e. during the game, rather than at half-time).
FACE COVERINGS
Unless you are exempt, everyone is required to wear a face covering in all areas, both indoor and outdoor, whilst at the stadium.
It is a condition of entry that you have a face covering in your possession in order to be admitted to the stadium.
Government guidance regarding masks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
MOVING AROUND THE STADIUM
At all times and in all parts of the ground, please observe social distancing and avoid close contact with others not in your social bubble. Take safety measures including remaining in your seat at all times where possible, covering your mouth/nose with the crook of your elbow if you need to sneeze or cough, avoiding hugs or high fives and taking extreme care when shouting, singing or celebrating. Have consideration for all of our fellow supporters who are seated near you.
If you do need to leave your seat, wait for a time when the route is clear. When moving past other spectators, to and from your seat, please avoid face to face contact with other spectators.
If you need to access any of the ground’s amenities, such as toilets, check to see if any of them are not in use, and plan accordingly. There will be social distancing queues at toilets, including at half-time.
There will be no gathering within the concourse at any time. Please return to your seats as quickly as possible to reduce the number of people on the concourse.
SANDY LANE TERRACE
The capacity of the Sandy Lane terrace has been reduced in accordance with Sport Ground Safety Authority guidance and recommendations.
Supporters will notice that certain steps in the stand have been painted either red or green.
The green steps are to be used by supporters to stand and watch the match from.
The red steps are to be used when entering or exiting the stand.
Whilst watching the match, please keep a safe distance from spectators who do not belong to your social bubble, as with the seating areas of the stadium.
We request that face coverings at to be worn at all times whilst inside the stadium, unless exempt from wearing one.
MATCH BALL
Should the match ball enter the stand at any point during the game, supporters should not throw this directly back on to the playing surface. Please pass it to a member of our ball crew who will sanitise it before it is used again in play.
LEAVING THE STADIUM
Consider your journey when leaving the stadium. If you do not need to leave straight away, consider allowing the rush to ease before leaving. Stewards have been instructed and are prepared for you to stagger your journeys home.
Supporters should not gather at the perimeter fence around the pitch at the end of the match. No matter the result, the players will not meet and greet supporters at the end of the game.
When exiting the Stadium, you must follow instructions in relation to exit routes.
Please observe social distancing at all times.
TRAVEL FROM TIER 3 LOCATIONS
When restrictions are reviewed by the Government, should Rochdale be placed in Tier 2, any supporters living in a Tier 3 area not able, nor will they be invited to, attend the game.
Travelling to watch a football match is classed as non-essential travel and is therefore not permitted.
I AM A SEASON CARD HOLDER OR HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED A TICKET BUT CANNOT OR DO NOT WISH TO ATTEND, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
All Season Card holders will receive an email from the Club this Thursday/ Friday.
Please only reply if YOU DO NOT wish to attend the Gillingham game. Those who do not wish to attend will receive a free iFollow code.
If you wish to receive an iFollow code, it is important that you reply to this email and let us know.
Please do not contact the Club until you receive this email and only reply if you do not intend to attend.
IF I DO NOT ATTEND, WILL MY SEASON CARD SEAT BE SOLD?
Please be assured that your seat will not be sold. Due to Season Cards having been sold in bubbles on our Covid secure seating plan, seats cannot be re-sold.
CAN I PURCHASE A TICKET ON THE DAY OF THE GAME?
No. All tickets must be purchased in advance of matchday. Tickets for the Gillingham game can be purchased up until 3pm on Friday 18th December. These can be purchased online HERE or over the phone by calling 01706 644648 (option 1) between the hours of 10am-1pm on Friday 18th.
Please do not visit the Ticket Office in person to purchase a ticket.
I HAVE A SEASON CARD BUT HAVE YET TO COLLECT IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
All Season Cards must be collected in advance of match day. There will be no collections available on the day of the game. The Ticket Office external window will be open the following days / times for Season Card Collections.
Friday 11 December - 9am - 2pm;
Monday 14 - Friday 18 December - 9am - 5pm.
Please note the Crown Oil Arena is currently closed therefore you will not be able to access the Main Entrance. All collections must be made from the external Ticket Office window.
WILL THE BARS BE OPEN?
The Carlsberg Lounge, including Desmond’s Den, will be closed.
Meanwhile, the Ratcliffe Bars and the 1907 Lounge will be open to hospitality guests only. Further details regarding our hospitality packages will be announced soon.
Please note unfortunately due to Covid restrictions any of our Executive Seat Holders will be unable to access the 1907 Lounge unless upgrading to hospitality and must access the Main Stand via the turnstile rather than the Main Reception. We would like to apologise for this inconvenience.
WILL THE CLUB SHOP BE OPEN?
The Club Shop will be open from 9am-1pm at the Gillingham game. Please remember that only four supporters are permitted entry to the Club Shop at any one time and that face covering should be worn. It is card payment only.
MATCH PROGRAMMES
Match programmes will not be produced.
CAN I BUY A SEASON TICKET?
There will be no further Season Card sales this season.