The Trust Board met with Tottenham Hotspur’s Head of Supporter Engagement for a planning meeting ahead of the Europa League group stage match against Ferencvaros on Thursday 3 October. 1200 Spurs fans will be making their way to the Groupama Arena in Budapest and we want to clarify what they should expect on the day.
Budapest is probably familiar to many, but Tottenham have never played Ferencvaros, probably the most famous Hungarian football club, in UEFA competition – nor indeed have many other English teams, apart from Liverpool who met them several times in the 1970s. The last English team to play Ferencvaros was Millwall in the old UEFA Cup in 2004, so there’s little by way of shared experience to inform this trip. We’d encourage all Spurs supporters heading to Budapest to read the information below, which is designed to supplement the official travel advice published by the Club, which can be found here.
Before the match
- There is no specific guidance or warnings for fans congregating the night before the game. Traditionally, the Pest side of the Danube (also the same side as the stadium) provides more entertainment options than the Buda side.
- A meeting point/fans’ park is being organised at City Park, close to Heroes Park, for before the match, opening at 3pm. Fans are recommended to use this Food and drink will be available and there are bars and restaurants in the vicinity. It’s not particularly close to the stadium but shuttle buses will run between the two before and after the match, taking about 30 minutes for the journey.
- Both the fans’ park and the stadium are close to the metro and not that far from the city centre (two metro stops).
- The shuttle buses from the fans’ park will take supporters to another meeting point close to the stadium, where match tickets will be issued in exchange for the vouchers previously supplied. A further mandatory short bus ride will take fans directly to a sterile part of the stadium and the away fan entrances.
- There will be a body search at the mandatory meeting point (when tickets are issued) and ID will be checked. This needs to be formal photo ID but does not have to be a passport i.e. a driving licence is acceptable.
- There will be another body search at stadium entry and possibly a further ID check.
Inside the stadium
- The stadium can best be described as utilitarian – do not expect the same level of facilities as at THS. Access is adequate, but neither the best or worst in class.
- General admission fans will be placed in Section E of the stadium, , while Cat 1 admission will be in the VVK section. Ambulant and non-ambulant disabled access ticket holders have been contacted directly by the Club with specific advice.
- Netting will separate home and away supporters and there will be netting in front of the pitch. There is a large safety rail in the front row which may slightly impede the view for some supporters.
- Space on the concourse is adequate but food and beverage facilities are limited, with just one small concession. Alcohol will be served at half-time.
- Toilets are basic with one small men’s and one women’s facility with a handful of cubicles in each.
- Small bags will be permitted with essential items. Small phone chargers are permitted. Flags are permitted but no drums.
- There will be a team of THFC stewards and officials in and around the away sections to assist Spurs supporters.
After final whistle
- There will be a holdback of approximately 30 minutes after the game. The shuttle bus will be available to take fans back to City Park after the match.
- Otherwise, public transport inc. the metro will operate as normal and the earlier kick-off (18.45 local time) should ensure there are no problems returning to the city centre.
We hope all those travelling to Budapest have an enjoyable trip. Should any supporters need assistance during their time in Hungary, please note the number for the Club Travel Line (07917 880445) and the British Consulate in Budapest (+36 1 429 6200).
After the match we will be putting out a survey from Football Supporters Europe (FSE) which we encourage all fans attending this match to complete. The results will be used to inform the work of FSE in improving the matchday experience of travelling supporters and provide guidance for fans of other clubs that will visit Ferencvaros in future. THST would also welcome details of any specific experiences, particularly if they are negative, so that these can be fed back to the Club and the FSA.