THST Guide for Spurs fans travelling to Milan

Members of the Trust Board met with Tottenham Hotspur’s Head of Supporter Engagement for a planning meeting ahead of the Champions League Round of 16 match against AC Milan on Valentine’s Day. 4359 Spurs fans will be making their way to the San Siro and we wanted to clarify what they should expect on the day, as well as challenge some of the more draconian measures imposed by AC Milan and the local police. 

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​We’re aware many of our travelling support will be extremely familiar with the city of Milan and the San Siro, but there have been a few changes since our last visit so we’d encourage all Spurs supporters heading to Italy to read the information below, which is designed to supplement the official travel advice published by THFC.
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Before the match

• There are no areas of central Milan that Spurs fans should specifically avoid the night before the game

• On match day, AC Milan has recommended Spurs fans make use of the Arco della Pace, an attractive area with numerous bars and restaurants just six stops on the metro from the San Siro, with no line changes
• There are no planned street drinking restrictions, though they may be applied at the discretion of local authorities
• Fans are strongly advised to avoid Piazza Axum on match day, an area located near the stadium frequented by Milan ultras
• Police will be present around the centre of Milan on the day of the match
• Fans are required to carry original photo ID (passports or identity cards) during their time in Milan under Italian law
• Any fan who requires a duplicate ticket should contact the ticket office on ticket.office@tottenhamhotspur.com and they’ll confirm arrangements for collection in resort
• There won’t be any dedicated transport to the San Siro, so no shuttle buses. Regular metro and bus travel is not included with the price of the match ticket
• The stadium will open at 7pm local time, with kick-off at 9pm. Fans should allow approximately one hour from central Milan to reach the ground and have been asked to arrive at the stadium no later than one hour before kick-off
• The recommended form of transport to the stadium is the metro, exiting at the San Siro Stadio stop. The subway is fully accessible, with lifts at all stations

Arrival at the stadium

• On arrival at the San Siro Stadio metro stop, all away fans (Category 1, Access and General Admission fans) should use Via Federico Tesio (see map below) to reach a dedicated entrance which is accessed through a large car park. Both tickets and passports will be checked in this area, and GA fans will then be filtered via a ‘protected corridor’ through Gates 5 and 6, with wheelchair users using Gate 11
• We have been informed fans will need to be prepared to present original passports for inspection at the ground. THST pushed back on this as there are obvious security risks attached, but Milan are adamant that this is Italian law and, at the time of publishing, won’t relax the requirement to carry original passports to the match. We continue to challenge this requirement via FSE
• Once through the gates, Category 1 and wheelchair using fans will be directed to Level 1 and GA fans will continue to Level 3 via Tower 3
• Ambulant supporters and those with access requirements have been contacted by the THFC to arrange lift access. We are informed all fans requiring lift access must be confirmed in advance with AC Milan so, if fans require it, they should email the Club at supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com. Use of the lift will be at AC Milan’s discretion but Spurs staff will be on hand to assist
• Small bags no bigger than A4 are permitted in the stadium and there is NO bag drop
• A full list of prohibited items has been included in the Club advice. Phone chargers and battery packs will not be permitted. A THFC steward will be collecting phone chargers and battery packs from Spurs fans on entrance to the stadium for return to fans after the game
• Flags and banners need prior approval, details on how to obtain this are included in the Club’s advice
• Drums and instruments are not permitted
• THFC is taking a team of stewards who have extensive experience of European away matches to assist our fans at the San Siro​  

Inside the San Siro

• The GA section of our support will be located in Level 3 at the top of the San Siro, in the Green section
• The rake is steep and fitted with safety bars throughout
• Glass barriers separate the Spurs tier from the one below, and there is Perspex along the front of the allocation, but thankfully no netting
• THFC stewards will be present in the Spurs section, along with local police  
• Basic food and drink will be available from kiosks in the towers to either side of our section
• Low alcohol (0.5%) beer will be served in the away end before and during the match. No fully alcoholic beverages will be available to Spurs fans in the San Siro
• Both cash and card payments are accepted inside the stadium
• Be prepared for less-than-ideal bathroom facilities, especially for the Ladies. There are no “sit-down” toilets anywhere in the away end​ 
  

After final whistle

• There will be a hold back of around 30 minutes at the end of the match. Toilets, food and drink will be accessible during this time
• The metro will be running and is recommended as the best route for those returning to central Milan
• Piazza Axum is to be avoided post-match

 
We hope all those travelling to Milan have an enjoyable trip. Should any supporters need assistance during their time in Italy, please note the number for the Club Travel Line (07917 880445) and the British Consulate in Milan (+39 02 723001).
 
COYS!
THST Board
8 February 2023