Travel advice: Lille LOSC vs Chelsea

Advice for fans travelling to France for Chelsea’s match with Lille LOSC on 2 October 2019.

Date: Wednesday 2 October 2019

Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve d’Ascq

Kick off time: 9pm (local time)

You should also read our travel advice for France and follow us on Twitter at @BritishinFrance.

Passports and visas

• you don’t need a visa to enter France. Make sure that your passport is valid until you return to the United Kingdom

• remember your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but also take out travel insurance, even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties

• you should carry your ID with you at all times

• if you lose your passport, you will need to get an Emergency Travel Document

Getting to the stadium

From Lille Europe Eurostar Terminal, walk to Gare Lille Flandres take the Metro M1 (yellow line) direction 4 Cantons Villeneuve d’Ascq to 4 Cantons Stade Pierre Mauroy terminus.

By road, cars, minibuses and coaches must use the A1 and C2 stadium car parks.

Lille airport does not have direct flights to the UK. If you are arriving from another country, there is a shuttle service to Lille city centre from where you can take the Metro as explained above. Shuttle details are available on the Lille airport website.

At the match

• tickets will be available at a collection point on presentation of your voucher and your passport. Details and specific instructions will be given by Chelsea Football Club to voucher holders. Metro tickets will also be on sale at this collection point

• all official Chelsea supporters (except VIPs and sponsors) will enter the stadium via Gate I

• full body searches will be carried out by French police. The process will be thorough and time consuming

• you should expect to go through different check points before entering the stadium

• the stadium opens 2 hours before kick-off, you are advised to arrive well before the start of match as ticket and security checks can take up to one hour to complete before admittance to the visitors’ section

• supporters with disabilities are advised to arrive at the stadium as early as possible and will enter via Gate I

• no left-luggage facilities available. Leave your bags on the coaches or at your hotel

• alcohol is banned inside the stadium

• if you appear drunk you may be refused entry to the stadium

• please note that Chelsea fans will be held back for around 30 minutes while the home supporters disperse

Tips

The following items are banned in the stadium and will be confiscated (and are unlikely to be returned):

• banners and flags displaying anything which can be construed as racist or homophobic

• flagpoles, sticks

• fireworks and flares

• alcoholic drinks, bottles, glasses, and cans

• megaphones and drums

• knives, belts, chains or any objects which can be thrown or used as a weapon

Smoking is not permitted in the stands.

Possession and use of recreational drugs is illegal in France and any infringement may result in arrest and imprisonment.

Before and after the match the French authorities invite fans where possible to remain within the city centre and train station areas. The French authorities also advise visiting fans to avoid the Old Lille district (Place Louise de Bettignies) where possible.

Telephone: +33 1 44 51 31 00

Emergency services numbers

Emergency number: 112

Further information

Websites for: