The countdown to the start of Watford’s fresh Sky Bet Championship campaign is almost over, with the Hornets back at Vicarage Road for Saturday’s fixture against Queens Park Rangers (August 5, 3pm KO).
All at the club are delighted to welcome fans back once again for 2023/24, however it is vital that everyone works together to keep matchdays safe. Ahead of kick-off, below is a list of everything stadium visitors need to know…
Family Zone
With the weather forecast suggesting heavy rain during the build-up to Saturday’s match, the decision has been made to cancel our Family Zone, scheduled to take place ahead of the QPR fixture.
Providing conditions allow, the Family Zone will be back up and running for the following week’s game with Plymouth Argyle (Saturday August 12, 3pm KO).
Located at our neighbours, Cornerstone Church, directly opposite the Ann Swanson Family Stand turnstiles, family-friendly activities and games will be available from midday on Saturday August 12, along with the chance to be selected to choose and award the Junior Hornets Hero of the Match.
Getting To The Ground
Stadium address:
Vicarage Road Stadium
Vicarage Road
Watford
WD18 0ER
By Train Or Tube
The nearest station is Watford High Street, a 10-minute walk away from the ground. Watford Junction train station is about a 20-minute walk.
Watford has its own London Underground tube station, which is on the Metropolitan Line and is situated just under one mile from Vicarage Road.
By Car
Due to the club’s partnership with Event Support Team (EST), fans are able to reserve parking spaces in the Field Junior School, Ascot Road Primary School or Holywell Primary School car parks on a match-by-match or seasonal basis, by clicking HERE.
There is no parking available at the ground and street parking is restricted for local residents with matchday permits. Watford General Hospital ensure that their security and parking staff monitor the entrances to the hospital car parks to prevent people from parking on-site.
Accessibility
All accessible entrances will be open as detailed in the stadium map below:
Full details of the club’s provision for supporters with all types of disability, including visiting supporters, can be found in our Access Statement HERE.
For any access queries please email disabled.supporters@watfordfc.com or call 01923 496262.
Ticketing
All tickets during the 2023/24 campaign will be issued as NFC (Near Field Communication) Mobile Tickets.
Fans can use Apple Wallet or Google Wallet to store their NFC (Near-Field Communication) matchday and season tickets. Click HERE for all information relating to NFC mobile ticketing and entering the stadium.
We encourage anyone who experiences difficulties downloading or using their tickets to get in touch with the club directly by emailing supporters@watfordfc.com or calling 01923 223023, so these issues can be resolved.
Dedicated ticketing staff will be on hand at the turnstiles, as well as at the Ticket Information pods, to provide further assistance on the day to anyone who needs it.
Security
Early Arrival
In order to reduce the potential for delayed access into the stadium, supporters are asked to arrive as early as possible. Turnstiles will open 90 minutes before kick-off, and the clock-style graphic above gives a visual representation that the ideal latest arrival point to the stadium is over half-an-hour before kick-off time, please.
Searches & Bag Checks
There continues to be an increase in our security operation this season, in particular with searches and bag checks at the turnstiles. Bags will be checked at an outer cordon before entering the stadium, and those larger than A4 size (height: 297mm width: 210mm depth: 210mm) will not be permitted entry.
We Campaign
The We campaign - which sees dedicated club staff working with the hate crime unit at Herts Police to investigate and take appropriate action with all discrimination and abuse incidents reported - moves into its fifth season having received over 100 complaints since its inception in Autumn 2019. We thank those supporters who have used the We campaign to date.
If you hear discriminatory abuse, excessive anti-social behaviour or see safeguarding issues, please text ‘We’, followed by seat numbers and details, to 66777 straight away.
The same details will be used at all Watford FC men’s and women’s matches, and Community Trust events, so please work with us to make our stadiums and events enjoyable for all supporters.
Click HERE for more information.
Use of the ‘G-Word’
During last season, the club started to raise awareness of the use of the ‘g-word’ in stadiums, which is the derivative of ‘gypsy’ used at the end of a popular chant about our local rivals.
We are fully aware that our supporters have used this chant for several years, and we’re also aware that many of our supporters consider the word to be ‘football banter’ and ‘part of the game’. The word in question is racist, its use can be classed as a hate crime and we will no longer ignore its use at our matches.
Everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, should feel truly welcome to be part of or associated with our club, so please help us ensure Vicarage Road remains free of racial abuse.
Love Football. Protect The Game.
The Hornets have backed the introduction of strong measures across the professional and grassroots game to help improve the behaviour of players, managers and coaches on the pitch, and address the unacceptable issue of football tragedy abuse in the stands.
Click HERE for more information.
Smoking
Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is not permitted in any area of the stadium.
Prohibited Items
The following articles are prohibited and must not be brought to the stadium:
Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the ground.
Further, you may not bring into the ground any sponsorship, promotional or marketing materials save in respect of official merchandise. Any flags or banners larger than those maximum dimensions permitted by the club (or, in the absence of such stipulations, 2m x 1m) and/or of an offensive nature are also prohibited.
Further Questions?
Our Supporter Services team are here to help with any queries you may have.
You can get in touch by emailing supporters@watfordfc.com, or via Twitter (@WatfordFCHelp).
On matchday, fans can seek assistance from the team of Vicarage Roadies. The team are dressed in green and are armed with the tools and knowledge to answer all the common queries we receive. They are here to help their fellow Hornets, so if you see a member of the team, please take the time to say hello!
Can’t Make It To The Vic?
Domestic and overseas supporters can access live coverage of Watford v QPR, via the Hornets’ Hive Live streaming service.
Click HERE for more information on how to follow the Sky Bet Championship clash from home.
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