Apologies for starting a new thread about this here, but I couldn't find the info elsewhere. 

 

I'm taking my Mum to see Chelsea this coming season (her first time, my second) and I would like a bit of advice if possible.  When I went before, my friend sorted everything out so I just kind of 'tagged along' without knowing the procedure.  As I am taking my Mum (she's 68) I want everything to go smoothly (coming from Cornwall, we're not used to the Big Smoke!).

 

Basically, I just wanted to know what time the players usually arrive at the stadium, and is there anywhere where we can actually see them/get autographs/photos?  I don't know when/if we will a chance to go up again as it is quite an expense for us so we definitely want to make the most of the experience, especially for my Mum. 

 

We're going for the Matchday Package that includes the hotel stay for a night, three course meal and tickets to the game.  We are more than likely going to go for the most 'basic' of these packages where I think they seat you in the West Stand Upper?  Is it worth spending a bit more and getting 'better' seats?  If so, which ones would you recommend?

 

I appreciate any information you can give me. 

Thanks a lot, Sophie.

How much is the match day package?  I'm presuming quite expensive.  If I were you, I'd sort out accommodation seperately.  You can find cheap accommodation in an area like Bayswater which is more-or-less equidistant between the Bridge and central London.  That way you'd be able to go into the centre of town (and you're also really close to High Street Kensington, Notting Hill and not far from Knigtsbridge) if you wanted to.  Not sure if that is what you want to do but you may be kicking your heels for the rest of your time.  SW6 is a nice area but the quieter end of Fulham Road/King's Road.  You're a bit too far west there.

 

Where is the three course meal may I ask?  Is it at the Marco Pierre White restaurant at Stamford Bridge?  That is good so I'd recommend that.....not sure if it is at that Frankie's sports grill bar (or whatever it is called).  I presume that'd just be a standard burger and chips affair.

 

You should have a look on the Top Table website.  They do good deals on some really nice restaurants in London.  I'd also recommend The Big Easy on the King's Road.  They do steaks, crabs, lobsters.....that sort of thing.  Live music and always packed.  You can walk to the Bridge from there in 15/20 minutes or jump on a bus.

 

So yeah, I think it'd be best to book them all seperately.  I think you'll get more for your money and a better time.  Oh, and regarding tickets, I've heard the west upper is a bit moribund.  Try the Matthew Harding lower of the Shed End.

 

Hope this helps.

Hi George.  Thank you for your reply, it's very helpful and certainly gives us a few more options!

 

The matchday package is fairly expensive - £400 for the two of us.  The only reason I was edging towards that is that it is all sorted out for us and everything is included.  The meal is in the hotel restaurant (unfortunately not the Marco Pierre White restaurant) - from what I remember the food/wine was lovely but nothing special.

 

How easy is it to buy tickets separately?  From what I gather they are extremely hard to come by.  I remember where we were seated last time was a bit quiet, but I think that would probably suit my Mum better to be honest!

 

Do you have any idea what time players (and manager!) usually arrive at the stadium?

 

Thanks.

A cheaper alternative for tickets and also giving you a wider selection would be to buy memberships x 2 would cost only 50 pound and then the cost of your matchday tickets on top.

A cheaper alternative for tickets and also giving you a wider selection would be to buy memberships x 2 would cost only 50 pound and then the cost of your matchday tickets on top.

 

Ah ok, so this gives you priority for matches?  I am worried I won't a chance to purchase tickets this way as I know the demand will be higher this year...

Ah ok, so this gives you priority for matches?  I am worried I won't a chance to purchase tickets this way as I know the demand will be higher this year...

When we arent able to go we put our season tickets on sale with Viagogo. They are partners with the club so the club send out a matchday ticket I have to speak as I find and have found them really professional . Our seats are in the West Lower It suits us and provides easy access to and from the stadium.If you want to stand for long periods or want to join in with a lot of singing its not the stand for you!

There is a travelodge very close by in North End Road (Travelodge Fulham) and within a 100 yards of the travelodge is a Holiday Inn Express (Earls Court). We have stayed in both and they are ok and are about a 15 minute walk to the ground.

The players arrive quite a while before the game but its always worth hovering around outside the East Stand as you will often see ex players , celebs etc before the game. 

When we arent able to go we put our season tickets on sale with Viagogo. They are partners with the club so the club send out a matchday ticket I have to speak as I find and have found them really professional . Our seats are in the West Lower It suits us and provides easy access to and from the stadium.If you want to stand for long periods or want to join in with a lot of singing its not the stand for you!

There is a travelodge very close by in North End Road (Travelodge Fulham) and within a 100 yards of the travelodge is a Holiday Inn Express (Earls Court). We have stayed in both and they are ok and are about a 15 minute walk to the ground.

The players arrive quite a while before the game but its always worth hovering around outside the East Stand as you will often see ex players , celebs etc before the game. 

 

Thanks terraloon

 

We plan to arrive hopefully between 11am-12pm (have to leave Cornwall at 6pm) and don't mind hanging around at all, so we can all being well catch the players driving in to the ground - I appreciate we have very little chance of seeing any of them, althought I did catch Torres getting out of a Taxi the last time I was there!

 

Thanks guys for all your help

Hi George.  Thank you for your reply, it's very helpful and certainly gives us a few more options!

 

The matchday package is fairly expensive - £400 for the two of us.  The only reason I was edging towards that is that it is all sorted out for us and everything is included.  The meal is in the hotel restaurant (unfortunately not the Marco Pierre White restaurant) - from what I remember the food/wine was lovely but nothing special.

 

How easy is it to buy tickets separately?  From what I gather they are extremely hard to come by.  I remember where we were seated last time was a bit quiet, but I think that would probably suit my Mum better to be honest!

 

Do you have any idea what time players (and manager!) usually arrive at the stadium?

 

Thanks.

 

Ah, yes.....that is reasonably expensive.  There is always that temptation to book it and pay it as it is all sorted for you.

 

I do think it is a tad overpriced for what you can find elsewhere though.  I recently stayed in a hotel in Bloomsbury and I think it was around 60 quid a night for a double room.  The facilities were really, really basic (more akin to a hostel really....although the building itself and the road were really nice) but you can't really argue for that price.  The Hotel was called 'Queen's' and there are loads of others on the same road (Inverness Terrace).  There are two tube stations minutes from the road on both the central line which takes you into town and also the district and circle lines which will take you to the Bridge.  Depends what you want though as they're pretty low budget.  You might want something more salubrious.

 

Then you could look on Top Table (the Evening Standard newspaper also occasionaly do offers for restaurants so check their website...they're top restaurants too....not rubbish ones. They often do deals for a restaurant called The Bluebird on the King's Road which is another recommendation) and try and find something like a three course meal for 25 pounds.  Then your 2 match day tickets (120?).  So that'd be 60 for the hotel plus 50 for the meal plus 120 for the tickets = 230.....as opposed to 400.  Bish, bash, wallop, kerplunk!  170 saved to spunk up the west end!  And you'd be seeing more of the city and not just the Stamford Bridge grounds.

 

If you can find a budget hotel for that sort of price then you could even stay in London for 2 nights.  I would if I was coming all the way from Cornwall.

 

Regarding purchasing tickets seperately, I'm not the best person to ask as I have a season ticket so don't buy them on an individual basis.  I'm sure some of the other people on here will be able to help in that respect.

 

And I think the players arrive pretty early.  I only ever see the team coach leave.

Yeah, I guess if we don't catch them going in we can always see them on their way out.

 

It is too tempting to just pay the money and have it all arranged in one go, but I'll have a think about other hotel options.  The only thing that worries me is managing to get tickets individually!

 

I don't mind personally having to travel through London on tubes, etc. but for my Mum's sake I think it would be easier to be closer.  We can only stay one night unfortunately - work commitments on Friday and the following Monday. 

 

Thank you for your advice, I'll definitely check out the hotels/restaurants you mentioned.

try using Thomas cook they do Match Breaks for all home games where you get a ticket and a hotel and it not that high in price. I have not used the match break don't need to as I live in London but when I used them for away Coach Travel and I saw the prices for the match breaks for the lower games like stoke or Swansea it like £90-£120 or less not 100%sure and for the big games it like £140 or more.

 

have a look here http://www.thomascooksport.com/Football/Premier-League/Chelsea they not got the games up yet as the fixtures are not out yet but you can register and they will email you when they are out

 

hope this helps