There’s been high demand to watch Wimbledon’s return to league action on Saturday – and there’s plenty of incentive to make a day of it with the Dons!
We’ll be opening the turnstiles from 11 am – offering access to our fantastic food park and our By The Horns Phoenix Pub – plus you can catch every kick of the Netherlands versus USA game (3 pm kick-off) afterwards.
Below is a summary of match arrangements for tomorrow’s game, which kicks off at 12.30 pm.
Tickets
We’ve had encouraging ticket sales to watch the Dons take on the Mariners, but there’s still time for you to be a part of what’s shaping up to be an exciting day at our fantastic stadium.
Buy now from our online ticket shop.
Don’t forget that tickets are £2 cheaper for adults and concessions, if purchased in advance. However, you can still buy on the day from the Ry Stand ticket booth (close to gate six).
Man of the Match presentation
We’ll be hosting our traditional post-match presentation for all supporters back in its usual location – next to the Phoenix Pub by the South London Movers Stand. However, the player selected as our Man of the Match will also be taken up to the Silver Lounge afterwards to meet fans up in hospitality and to do an interview.
Our By The Horns Phoenix Pub will be open straight after the game with fans welcome to watch the World Cup last-16 match between Netherlands and USA (3 pm kick-off).
Due to strong hospitality sales, we have limited space for fans to watch this game in the Sliver Lounge, so numbers allowed in will depend upon the amount of supporters that decide to stay on after hospitality.
Food & Drink at our stadium
Situated behind the South London Movers Stand, you can choose from a wide range of culinary delights, as provided by several different cuisines from local businesses, including the following:
- MyPie
- Traditional Jerk Chicken
- All Burgers
- Ding Ding
- Dough Shack
The food trucks will stop serving at 6:00pm with last drink orders on the Movers Stand bar at the same time.
For supporters in the Cappagh Stand, you can get your matchday pint in extra quick time by accessing our new EBAR machines, which we are using on a trial basis. Fans can buy pints of Lager, Camden Pale Ale and Guinness from the EBAR.
Don’t forget though that we’ve also still got SwipeStation! Supporters can get a swift pint of Camden Pale Ale or Stella Artois from designated stations around the ground, including behind the Ry (East) Stand.
For more information, download the SwipeStation User Guide .
Club Shop
There’s plenty of opportunity to get your Dons Christmas presents tomorrow!
Opening hours are from 9am until 12.25 pm, at half-time, and then from 2.30-3.30 pm. Amongst the new arrivals in the club shop is an item that’s well worth including on your Christmas shopping list – our official calendar for 2023!
New Christmas card designs are also available, plus new leisurewear items, so make sure you pop-in tomorrow.
Programme
Make sure you get your hands on our fantastic matchday programme! It includes an extensive interview with our new Managing Director Danny Macklin, plus plenty of your traditional favourites including another historical feature by Stephen Crabtree. There’s also an update from AFC Wimbledon Chair Mick Buckley, plus a Q&A with our England Under-16 goalkeeper Spike Brits, and report from the FA Cup victory for our women.
The programme (usual price of £3) will be on sale from outside the club shop, behind the South London Movers Stand, from the Cappagh (West) Stand and at the away end.
Golden Goals
Tickets will be on sale at the game tomorrow (priced at £1) with the top prize of £100 (all funds raised are donated to the Club), so look out for our Golden Goal sellers on Saturday.
Christmas Toy Collection Appeal
Please answer our Christmas call to bring a smile to the faces of young children at St George’s Hospital during the festive period.
Our Foundation are launching the Christmas Toy Collection Appeal with supporters invited to donate new toys to the Club during the week and at our game tomorrow.
Supporters can drop off items at our club reception or at the Foundation’s Family Zone gazebo (behind the Ry Stand) before this game. Alternatively, you can deliver them to us on week days (9am until 5pm) at reception (until Friday 9 December).
Toys or gifts should be brand new only and in their original packing and be appropriate for the ages 2–14 and in the £5-£10 price range. (please note that we are unable to accept second hand toys or those not in packaging).
White Ribbon UK
White ribbons and stickers will be worn by staff at tomorrow’s game to raise awareness of a campaign that aims to end male violence against women. This is a campaign that’s supported by Merton Council, focusing on the need to engage with men and boys. For more information, access the White Ribbon UK website.
Lifts
There is currently only one lift in reception that’s working, so please use the stairs if you possibly can. We would appreciate your patience until all the lifts are operational. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Kids Zone
This will be open on Saturday. Fans will be able to meet Haydon, our favourite Womble, and there’s also plenty of fun activities for children to get involved with. The Kids Zone is positioned on the concourse behind the Family Section on the corner of the East and South stands. Specifically for kids aged between 5-12, it is open from 1.30pm to 2.45pm with activities organised on a rotation basis. Please note that children MUST be supervised by parents at all times.
Dons TV
Get in the mood for the big game by joining our 9yrs Podcast team from 1.55 pm on Saturday. There will also be a post-match show, starting at 5.10 pm approximately.
Tune in via our official Facebook and YouTube channels.
Dons Trust Board Elections
Members of the Election Steering Group will be at the Dons Trust Kiosk until approximately 12.15 pm before the game to take final paper ballots for the upcoming Dons Trust Board elections.
The deadline for requesting electronic replacements has now passed, but paper replacements for any mislaid ballots can be passed at the kiosk. Following the game, there will still be time to cast your vote as the paper ballot closes at 2.45pm. The electronic ballot will close at 11.59pm on Saturday night. The ESG will be meeting on Sunday morning to do the count and it is hoped that an announcement of the result will be made later in the day.
Dons Local Action Group Food Collection Point
We will once again be organising collection points on Saturday with supporters invited to donate food to those less fortunate in the community. Masterminded by our award-winning Dons Local Action Group (DLAG), fans will be able to drop off tinned supplies – with an urgent need for tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fish, tinned fruit, and tinned pulses. Food collection points will be located at every entrance into the stadium.
Access to the stadium
Turnstiles for home fans open at 11 am for home and away supporters. For fans who have purchased matchday hospitality, please enter the stadium via Gate 1, which will open at 10.30 am.
All home fans will enter via the Plough Lane end of the Stadium only. Please note that fans in the South London Movers Stand or Ry Stand can only enter via Gates 3, 4 and 5. Fans seated in the Cappagh Stand can only enter via Gate 2. Please note that only the left hand side turnstile is working at gate three, but we will have a steward with a handheld scanner, depending upon the queues.
Away fans can only access the Stadium via Gate 7, which can be accessed via St Martin’s Way or Maskell Road.
Reusable Cups
We have a reusable beer cup scheme to replace all single use plastic pint cups around the stadium. Once you’ve finished your beer, please dispose of your cup within the reusable cup bins located around the stadium.
For a map of the stadium, and other information, including details about bringing bags into the ground and our cycle store facility, see our Matchday Guide section on the official website.
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