Lille LOSC v Chelsea: travel advice
Travel advice for British nationals travelling to Lille for the Lille LOSC v Chelsea football match on Wednesday 16 March, 2022.
Date: Wednesday 16th March 2022
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve d’Ascq
Kick off time: 9pm (local time)
Along with this advice, read our travel advice for France carefully and follow us on Twitter at @BritishinFrance
Planning your trip
- see Entry requirements to find out what you will need to do when you arrive in France and for details on France’s current entry requirements and restrictions
- you can travel to France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Make sure that your passport is less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’) and valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
- remember your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You should also take out travel insurance, even if you’re only going for one night. It could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties
- carry your ID with you at all times
Getting to the stadium
From Lille city centre (main underground stations: Rihour and Gare Lille Flandres) take the Yellow M1 line towards 4 Cantons Stade (Stade Mauroy) in Villeneuve d’Ascq.
There are car parking facilities near the stadium.
Lille airport does not have direct flights to the UK. If you are arriving from another country, there is a shuttle service to Lille city centre. From the city centre, you can take the underground (Metro) as explained above.
At the stadium
- tickets will be available at a collection point on presentation of your voucher and your passport. Details and specific instructions will be given by Chelsea Football Club to voucher holders. Metro tickets will also be on sale at this collection point
- all official Chelsea supporters (except VIPs and sponsors) will enter the stadium via Gate I
- full body searches will be carried out by French police. The process will be thorough and time consuming
- the stadium opens 2 hours before kick-off. Arrive well before the start of match as ticket and security checks can take up to a good hour to complete before admittance to the visitors’ section
- no left-luggage facilities available. Leave your articles on the coaches or at your hotel.
- alcohol is banned inside the stadium
- if you appear drunk, you may be refused entry to the stadium
- please note that Chelsea fans will be held back for a time while the home supporters disperse
Tips
The following items are banned in the stadium and will be confiscated (and are unlikely to be returned):
- banners and flags displaying anything which can be construed as racist or homophobic
- flagpoles, sticks
- fireworks and flares
- alcoholic drinks, bottles, glasses, and cans
- megaphones and drums
- knives, belts, chains or any objects which can be thrown or used as a weapon
Smoking is not permitted in the stands.
Possession and use of recreational drugs is illegal in France and any infringement may result in arrest and imprisonment.
Help and support
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy Paris.
If you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad, contact the FCDO in London by calling +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (24 hours).
If you have lost your passport you can apply for an Emergency Travel Document
Emergency services number: 112
Useful links
Chelsea FC Important info for fans attending Lille away game