Stage four of the UK government’s lockdown exit strategy ends all limits on people attending sports events in this country. We are thrilled to open our gates to over 40,000 supporters once again as the champions of Europe return to action, starting with our Mind Series pre-season fixture against Tottenham this Wednesday 4 August.

Tickets for that game are still available online to season ticket holders and members until 5pm on Tuesday 3 August. A small number of Club Chelsea hospitality tickets remain on sale for our opening Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday 14 August.

Changes at Stamford Bridge

For many of you, this will be your first time back at Stamford Bridge since the pandemic, with a limited number of supporters only present for three games last season, against Leeds United, Krasnodar and Leicester City.

Therefore, you may notice some changes since your last visit, which are set out below.

Face masks

Supporters will be required to wear masks in all indoor areas of the stadium, including the concourses, except when they are eating or drinking. Masks are not required when seated or walking outside the stadium.

We also strongly encourage the use of hand-washing facilities and hand sanitisers which are located throughout the Bridge

Bag size restrictions

Chelsea Football Club takes the safety and security of our supporters and colleagues extremely seriously. Together with the police and other partners we continually review our operations to ensure we meet the exacting standards required of a large venue such as Stamford Bridge.Please note we are modifying our entry conditions in relation to bag sizes and will now apply a strict limit on the size of bags which can be taken into the stadium.No bags larger than A4 will be permitted. This equates to 30cm x 20cm x 10cm, about the size of a standard handbag. This will improve security and also reduce congestion during your entry to the site and into the stadium.Please note that due to a lack of space, baggage deposit facilities will not be available so you are strongly advised not to bring any bags to Stamford Bridge.

Cashless payments

Supporters are reminded that Stamford Bridge is now a cashless stadium, with contactless payments available in all areas, including at food and beverage outlets and for matchday programmes, museum entrance and stadium tours, supported by our partner FiServ.

Rail seating

Rail seating has been installed in the Matthew Harding Lower and Shed End Upper and Lower tiers. This improvement enhances supporter safety by replacing the current seats in those sections of the stadium. We have decided to act now in order to be ready and prepared for any future government decision to introduce safe standing in Premier League stadia.

Westview

The biggest development to Stamford Bridge since 2001, Westview is the newly renovated West Stand Upper, which following consultations with supporters has been significantly upgraded ahead of the new season.

There has been a complete refurbishment of the concourse in the upper tier, with two new 360 degree bars and a new food court offering improved range and quality of food and drink, as well as views across London.

In the stand, the matchday experience will be enhanced by three new big screens which ensure all seat locations can view the screen content for the first time, and all seats have been replaced with brand-new padded seating. We have also installed a wheelchair accessible platform with four wheelchair and personal assistant places.

Canoville Suite

Over the summer, Chelsea Football Club has recognised the important contribution made by Paul Canoville in our history by renaming the Centenary Hall, located in the Shed End, in his honour.

The entrance stairwell and area in the Suite will tell Paul’s history with words and images, and Chelsea’s wider diversity story will be in the rest of the Suite, with a celebration of other ground-breaking players for whom Paul paved the way at the club after becoming the first black player to be selected for the Chelsea men’s first team.

Further improvements

With the exception of the few thousand who were able to attend games in December and at the end of last season, the start of 2021/22 will be the first chance to view the two brighter and better big screens that were installed inside Stamford Bridge during the previous season. They have higher resolution and refresh rate than their predecessors, and are 25 per cent larger and widescreen, providing a greater viewing experience for all around the ground.

In addition, a further series of new screens have been installed in the West Stand to give viewing access to screens for all within that part of the ground.

There has also been a change at pitch level during the close season, with the first complete pitch replacement for seven years having taken place. The pitch has switched from a Desso system to a SIS one.

Covid-19 protocols

Supporters attending our home matches this season will be required to provide evidence they are at low risk of transmitting Covid-19. This is to increase the safety and comfort of our supporters, players and staff as we begin hosting capacity crowds for the first time since March.

This can be done through proof of full Covid-19 vaccination (with both doses received at least 14 days prior to the match) or proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT – from age 11 and over) carried out within 48 hours of the fixture kicking off. See here for more information.