PFC Ludogorets vs Liverpool FC
Travel advice for Liverpool fans travelling to Sofia for the Ludogorets vs Liverpool match on Wednesday 26 November
British Embassy Sofia
Advice for fans travelling to Sofia, Bulgaria for Liverpool FC’s match with PFC Ludogorets on 26 November 2014
Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Venue: National Stadium ‘Vassil Levski’, Sofia
Kick off time: 9:45pm (local time); 7:45pm (UK time)
Meeting point: Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral from 7:30 pm local time
As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Bulgaria - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria
Passports and visas
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you don’t need a visa to travel to Bulgaria; your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country.
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if you have a different type of British nationality (other than ‘British Citizen’), check entry requirements with the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel
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remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) but 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
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carry a copy of your passport with you at all times - you’ll need this and your match ticket to gain entry to the stadium
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if you lose your passport, contact the British Embassy on +359 (0)2 9339 222 to book an appointment to apply for an Emergency Travel Document
Getting to the stadium
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Vassil Levski National Stadium is located in the city centre; you can find a map showing the location of the stadium here.
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The stadium can be reached by bus, tram, trolleybus or metro on the following lines:
Bus lines: 9, 72, 76, 84, 94, 204,604; Trolleybus lines: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8; Tram lines: 10, 12, 18; Metro: Vassil Levski Stadium station
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you can find full details of parking and public transport in Sofia here.
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there will be a meeting point on the day of the match at the Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral for Liverpool supporters from 7.30pm; the police will escort fans to the stadium for your safety.
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it’s 15 minute walk to the stadium from Alexander Nevski Cathedral; you can find a map showing the location of the cathedral here.
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taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards, although vehicles may not be in very good condition, most taxis are metered and yellow taxis are generally considered reliable.
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avoid taxis parked outside hotels or in tourist areas; ask your hotel to call a taxi or flag down a passing taxi with a green ‘available’ light in the window.
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check the tariffs on the window before getting in as they can vary considerably.
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at Sofia airport you should use a taxi from OK Supertrans at the official rank by booking at their desk in the arrivals hall
At the match
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Liverpool fans are seated in block 44, Sector G and should enter through entrances 23 and 24 (entrance is Вход in Bulgarian); the disabled entrance is through entrance 1
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access to the stadium can be slow, there will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the stadium and at the turnstiles
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to avoid missing the start of the match, get to the stadium early - entrances will open at 7:30pm or join the meeting point at Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral
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anyone who is obviously drunk won’t be allowed into the stadium; any banners bearing political slogans, or with handles longer than 1m and wider than 1cm will not be permitted inside the stadium.
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no flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, bottle tops or containers over ½ litre are allowed in the stadium
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visiting supporters may be kept behind for up to 30 minutes after the match to allow the home fans to disperse
Tips
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as in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport - only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits
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tap water in Sofia is drinkable
Contact the British Embassy in Sofia in case of a consular emergency:
British Embassy Sofia, 9 Moskovska Street, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
Telephone +359 (0)2 9339 222 (also for out of hours emergencies) Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm For more information please visit www.gov.uk/world/bulgaria
Emergency services number
Public emergency line: 112
Further information
Follow the British Embassy and the British Consul on Twitter for up to the minute travel advice: @UKinBulgaria and @HMCinBulgaria
Tourist information about Bulgaria
Information about the city of Sofia