If you’re backing England to win the World Cup and fancy watching them alongside 1000s of fans but can’t afford to travel to Russia take a look at what’s been happening in Bristol. Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City, has been opening its gates as a fan village.
WATCH a video from the England v Sweden match at Ashton Gate
The ground is a 40-minute drive from Cwmbran (32 miles). Yes, you have the pain of paying £5.60 to cross the bridge but it is a special atmosphere. Tickets to the ground are free. Fans snapped up the 5,000 tickets for the England v Sweden game.
Tickets for England v Croatia at Ashton Gate
The club will have 5,500 tickets for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final. This tweet from the stadium’s managing director said plans will be announced as soon as possible. Keep a close eye on the website.
Planning @ashtongatestad for Wednesday. Will be ticketed event. 5500 tickets. Just waiting for printer to deliver and will update how and when to pick up ASAP. @BristolCity @BristolBears @MattParsonsBCFC @GeeMacGee @JonLansdown largest fan zone in 🏴 pic.twitter.com/jACbsPwblO
— MKelly@Ashtongate (@MrhKelly) July 8, 2018
My wife is English and was desperate to watch a match in England so we got hold of three tickets and headed for an afternoon in the sun with 4,997 other fans. There was a long queue to watch the game inside on the huge screen (see below for a tweet from inside the sports bar) but we chose to find some shade outside and settle down for an afternoon of World Cup football.
Several bars and food vans kept us fed and watered in the sunshine. Before the match kicked off there were plastic pint glasses being thrown in the air. So choose your spot carefully if you don’t want to get soaked when a goal goes in!
@ashtongatestad Nice view from above of #WorldCup2018 Fan Village #Bristol. #ENG 🏴 v Sweden 🇸🇪 – it is a full house! #ComeOnEngland pic.twitter.com/u7WFDqboRy
— Lisa Knights (@BristolSportLK) July 7, 2018
No beer or cider was harmed in the making of this picture. If you can’t be in Russia, it probably doesn’t get better than watching England’s games at @ashtongatestad #itscominghome pic.twitter.com/KCT4fFmUwx
— JMPUK (@jmp_uk) July 7, 2018
Wow!! #ENG through to the semis!!! Nice to host you @J_Dyer_Official @SkySports @ashtongatestad see you again Wednesday then! 😉 #itsComingHomeRussia2018 pic.twitter.com/OieNekGbz1
— Lisa Knights (@BristolSportLK) July 7, 2018
Well these fans @BristolSportSBG @ashtongatestad certainly think #ItsComingHome #ComeOnEngland #Bristol brilliant!! #WorldCup18 🏴v🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/AyC78qB7Xw
— Lisa Knights (@BristolSportLK) July 7, 2018
Where is Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol?