England Supporters Club

Information for fans travelling to Lens and Lille for Euro 2016

Posted by Team England at 15:37 on Friday 27 May 2016

French authorities have issued advice to supporters planning on travelling to Lens next month for England’s Euro 2016 fixture against Wales.

Ahead of the first fixture between two Home Nations sides at a major tournament in 20 years, Lens is set to be a name on the lips of every Three Lions fan in the coming weeks.However, due to limitations within the city, authorities are keen to stress several restrictions in place and, more importantly, urge those without a ticket not to travel.

England Supporters Travel Club members should therefore note the following important points:

Due to the official fan zone in Lens only being able to accommodate 10,000 people, supporters without a ticket are being encouraged to head to nearby Lille which has a fan zone capacity of 25,000.

Supporters travelling to Lens by train from Lille are advised to purchase return tickets in advance. Tickets can be booked online via the SNCF site : uk.voyages-sncf.com (Menu - Train and Passes - Book Your Train Ticket).

Supporters travelling to Lens by car are advised to use the park and ride areas around Lens on 16 June. These will be signposted on all main roads. Free shuttle buses will be available from 11am on match day to transport fans from the car parks to the city centre where the stadium and fan zone are situated.

Coach parking areas in Lens are available for use by supporters travelling from the UK. Supporters wishing to use these areas must register online in advance via the reservation service run by the tournament organiser Euro 2016 SAS.

The sale, transport and consumption of alcoholic drinks will be banned in the car parks, shuttle buses, coach parks and in all public areas in Lens city centre. The consumption of alcohol will only be permitted in bars (either inside or on the concourse) and inside the fan zone. This ban will cover the period from 6am on 16 June until 6am on 17 June. Anyone failing to respect this ban will be fined and all alcoholic drinks will be seized . Furthermore, the sale, transport and use of pyrotechnics (fireworks, smoke canisters etc) will be banned within the same perimeter and during the same period.

No large bags will be allowed into the fan zone. Only bags under 10 litres in size will be allowed in (handbags, small rucksacks).  We have been advised that lockers will be available for the storage of any bags above the 10 litre limit, bags are left at your own risk and the FA will not be responsible for any lost items.

If ESTC members have any further questions relating to Euro 2016 then they are advised to email englandsupportersclub@thefa.com