Bears Women are back at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday night (7.45pm KO) as we welcome Loughborough Lightning to BS3 – here’s everything you need to know!

We have a packed matchday schedule for Friday Night Lightning including a wide range of activities in our South Stand concourse Fan Zone from 6.15pm, such as fun games with the Bears Community Foundation and the Bears Den Q&A from 7pm.

This game will also be our annual ‘Go Green’ fixture and we will be shining a light on the Bristol Sport Group’s sustainability initiative Project Whitebeam with lots of green and sustainable activations ahead of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby clash.

Supporters can win a signed Bears jersey thanks to our friends at Pledgeball, get minor repairs at the Dr Bike workshop, try our new plant-based pie and pasty, meet Sandy the rescue kestrel and learn about local biodiversity with the Ministry of Eco Education.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for Comet Cheerleaders, who will be out and about in the build-up to the game to get you in the mood before kick-off as well as putting on a special half-time performance, while we also have an in-bowl DJ set from Downsy!

Please note, Digital Season Tickets will not be in use for this fixture. Bears Women Season Ticket Holders can claim a free print-at-home ticket for this match.

MATCHDAY RUNNING ORDER

Here’s what you can expect on the day:

WIN A SIGNED JERSEY WITH PLEDGEBALL

We have teamed up with our friends at Pledgeball for this Friday’s clash against Loughborough Lightning, inviting our fans to join us in protecting where we play.

In addition, by participating in Pledgeball, you enter the draw to WIN a signed Bears jersey! So, what is a Pledgeball fixture, and how can you get involved?

Pledgeball gives fans a platform to take a stand on sustainability. It is a movement that highlights the power that fans can have when they come together with a purpose. This works through Pledgeball fixtures. In each Pledgeball fixture, fans pledge to reduce carbon emissions by choosing from a list of actions.

Getting involved is simple. Fans can pledge (up until midnight on matchday) to take actions that reduce our impact on the planet. Pledging also enters you into a prize draw to win a signed Bears jersey. For your chance to WIN, click here.

ST MUNGO’S CHARITY COLLECTION

Supporters attending Ashton Gate for Friday Night Lightning are also being encouraged to donate items for St Mungo’s to help the homeless and those less fortunate.

St Mungo’s is a homelessness charity that runs hostels and emergency accommodation which gives people the space they need to recover as well as helping people to learn new skills, find jobs and reconnect. They provide food, clothing and shelter for people who are sleeping rough.

We are encouraging fans to bring with them any of the following to donate:

  • Cold Weather Sleeping bags
  • Thermal Gloves, Leggings, Long Sleeved top, hat, new socks
  • Underwear [New medium sized]
  • Toiletries – new toothbrushes & toothpaste, body wash, deodorant, hairbrush etc
  • Hand Warmers
  • Sanitary Products
  • Tesco or Greggs £5 – £10 vouchers
  • Hand sanitiser, face masks, anti- bacterial wipes

The donation point will be set up in the South Stand concourse next to where the Foundations will be set up and will be available to drop donations from when the turnstiles open until kick off. It won’t be available to drop at half time/post-match.

SOUTH STAND FAN ZONE

The South Stand concourse will be our fan activity zone for the evening, with a whole host of activities for supporters to get stuck into from when turnstiles open at 6.15pm.

Bristol Bears Community Foundation will have games such as Higher or Lower and Pass Targets for you to enjoy as well as face painting and much more. The Ministry of Eco Education will also be roaming the concourse with a rescue kestrel Sandy talk to fans about local biodiversity!

BEARS DEN Q&A

Bears Women star Sarah Bern joins us for another live Q&A with supporters.

The England international will answer supporters’ questions in the Bears Den – our new matchday Q&A stage located in the South Stand concourse – from approximately 7pm (subject to change).

BUY YOUR HOME OR EURO SHIRT!

Our O’Neills 2023/24 Home Kit, European Kit and Training Wear range are all available to buy online and in-store, so visit the Store to purchase yours on matchday.

You can now get 20% off our Home shirt and 25% off the Euro jersey in-store and online. When shopping online, avoid postage fees by selecting Click & Collect* at the checkout or spend £100 and get free delivery on your order, straight to your door!

(*Collection is from Ashton Gate during regular opening hours).

DJ SET IN BOWL

Get into the party mood with our live in-bowl DJ set from Downsy in the build-up to kick off. We also have a special performance from Comet Cheerleaders at half time, along with an interview with Katie Cross from Pledgeball.

GETTING TO THE GATE

Here’s everything you need to know about Getting to the Gate on Friday night!

BIKE

For fans cycling to the stadium, we will be hosting a free Dr Bike workshop in partnership with the Bristol City Council. Fans will be able to get free minor repairs on their bicycles at the stadium. The Dr Bike will be at the bike stands, near the South Stand turnstiles. Please see here for more information on where to go.

BY FOOT

For fans travelling on foot from around the city, check out the Ashton Gate walking map to make your trip to the stadium more interesting. For the map, please click here.

Fans walking or cycling from the city centre and harbourside are advised that Vauxhall Bridge is closed for repairs. Gaol Ferry Bridge and Bedminster Bridge remain open. Full details visit Restoration of New Cut bridges (bristol.gov.uk).

PUBLIC BUS

We will not be running matchday shuttle bus services (AG1, AG2, AG3), however Ashton Gate is well connected to Bristol and surrounding areas by an extensive public bus network.

The easiest way to plan your route is the TravelWest Journey Planner. Many services across Bristol are operated by First Bus – you can find more information on their routes, timetables and fares here.

The following routes all drop within walking distance of the stadium:

RAIL

Ashton Gate is well served by local and national rail services. For the latest information, journey planning and tickets visit www.gwr.com.

Bristol Temple Meads

Mainline station with trains running directly to most parts of the UK, including Wales and Scotland. 40 minute walk from Ashton Gate Stadium.

Parson Street

Serves much of Somerset, South Wales and Bristol (journey time to Temple Meads approximately 5 minutes). Please note Parson Street does not have step-free access. 15 minute walk from Ashton Gate Stadium.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Those travelling by car should be aware that central Bristol, including many of the roads around Ashton Gate, is now part of the new clear air zone (CAZ) where non-compliant cars will be charged between £9 and £100 per day to drive. For full details please visit CLEAN AIR FOR BRISTOL | Clean Air Zone.

Further information on all travel options are available at Getting Here – Bristol Bears Rugby.

GETTING HERE