Going to the game?: Palace v Hoffenheim matchgoers' guide

Information

1 day ago

Crystal Palace's UEFA Europa League adventure continues at home to Hoffenheim on Thursday (17:45 GMT).

If you're going to the game, please check this guide – which will be kept up-to-date with the latest matchday information – before travelling.

Arrival Time

Supporters attending on Thursday should be aware that Selhurst Park turnstiles will open at 16:15 GMT (90 minutes before kick-off).

Due to the early evening kick-off (17:45), nearby road closures, and school and business closing times, supporters will only be able to enter the stadium from 16:15.

Guests attending through a Premium Matchday Experience will be able to access their Experience two hours before kick-off, with lounges closing two hours after full-time.

We anticipate that many supporters will arrive later than they normally would. If you are therefore able to arrive early, we encourage you to do so to avoid queues.

We also encourage fans to visit our Fanzone from 15:45 to enjoy the pre-match buzz surrounding Selhurst Park.

Travel Advice

We are currently not aware of any expected train issues on matchday.

Supporters are, as always, advised to check the latest information via TFL before they depart for the ground, and leave plenty of time for your journey.

Tickets

Tickets remain on general sale, with prices starting from as little as £25.

With an early evening kick-off, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring friends, colleagues, family, or young supporters, who will be home earlier than normal for a regular night-time kick-off.

Alongside watching Europa League football beneath the Selhurst Park lights, fans of all ages will be able to enjoy a variety of pre-match entertainment, as well as enjoy refreshment offers from our enhanced menus this season.

Please note that only supporters who had registered their Palace account prior to Friday, 28th August will be allowed to purchase tickets for this fixture.

Full details around ticket pricing can be found here.

Buy Tickets

Before travelling to the stadium

As always, all ticket holders are kindly reminded to please download your match tickets as soon as possible to your iOS, Google or Android ticket wallet to ensure smooth access to the stadium, and to arrive early. You can find out how to download your ticket here.

Once your ticket is stored in your mobile device's digital wallet, you will not need internet access for it to work at the turnstiles, but your device will need to be switched on.

Palace for All - Conduct

Crystal Palace would like to remind supporters that acts of discrimination, including inappropriate chanting, violence and entering the field of play, are criminal offences – which can result in criminal convictions and banning orders.

As a club, we are clear that everyone is welcome at Palace. We will not tolerate racial or homophobic chants or discriminating comments towards a particular individual, or group of individuals, at Selhurst Park.

If you witness any such behaviour, please report it to the club by emailing customer.service@cpfc.co.uk and inclusion@cpfc.co.uk with details.

For the safety of all supporters:

It is illegal to use flares, flash bangs and other pyrotechnics at the stadium.
Strong measures remain in place to tackle antisocial and criminal behaviours within the ground, including throwing objects, drug use and discriminatory behaviour.
You must keep off the Selhurst Park pitch at all times. Perpetrators may be prosecuted. Recent pitch invasions have resulted in football bans (both domestically and abroad); police prosecution; and criminal records, which can impact employment, education and international travel.
Supporters are also reminded that smoking and the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited inside Selhurst Park.
Please respect our staff at all times. Abuse of staff will not be tolerated.

From fans, to stewards and players, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on matchdays – so please be mindful of your fellow fans.

How to Report Abuse

Crystal Palace urge anyone who witnesses abuse to report it, either to the nearest steward, police officer or to our confidential text service on 07507 477 669.

Please include as much relevant information as possible, for example: RACISM, SMOKING, HOMOPHOBIA etc. Please include the stand, block, row and seat number you are in, and also identify the location of the anti- social behaviour, being as precise as possible. Please state if you wish to remain anonymous in your message.

Security staff will make every effort to deal with the issue. If they are unable to resolve the issue, each text will be followed up and investigated by a club staff member. You can also contact your nearest steward to report issues, who will do their best to help.

Anybody found guilty of discriminatory abuse towards any club employee, player, match official or supporter will receive an automatic club ban and may face criminal prosecution. The League and clubs are committed to working with the authorities to bring offenders to justice.

A safe matchday environment for all is vital for protecting the game we love. Thank you for your continued support.

Entering the Stadium

Turnstiles at Selhurst Park will be open at 16:15 GMT – 90 minutes before kick-off.

Supporters in certain parts of the ground might notice a new kind of turnstile in operation at their usual entrance to Selhurst Park.

These new turnstiles have a screen with the below instructions:

As per the above diagram, should your ticket be in your digital ticket wallet, you can simply tap your mobile device at the top of the screen before entering.

Bag restrictions

A reminder that supporters can only bring a bag that is no larger than A4 into the Stadium:

Height 297mm (11.7 inches)
Width 210mm (8.27 inches)
Depth 210mm (8.27 inches)

Supporters should be aware that all bags will be subjected to a physical and/or visual search at the stadium entrance. Fans are advised that it is one bag (within the restrictions) permitted per person.

Items larger than the size criteria must be left at the bag drop facility. This is located in the main car park at the information point. This facility will be managed by the Crystal Palace staff and following feedback from supporters will be free of charge.

The facility opens 3 hours before kick-off and closes 45 mins after final whistle.

Crystal Palace FC accepts no responsibility for loss or damage, items left at owners’ risk and all bags will be subject to security search.

Power Bank Stations

Four low battery power bank stations have been installed at the ground, ensuring supporters can stay connected at Selhurst Park.

The stations are located at:

The Main Stand (Glaziers)
Holmesdale Stand (Upper)
Holmesdale Stand (Lower)
Arthur Wait Stand

Battery power banks will be priced at £4 per hour, up to a maximum of £20/five hours.

Any power banks not returned following use will be automatically charged to the supporters’ credit/debit card that they used when paying at the machine.

Whilst initially four stations will be introduced, we are planning for additional weatherproof units to be introduced in other areas in due course.

Supporters should note that the power banks will not work on mobile devices that have no battery charge at all.

The Fanzone is back

Opening from 15:45 GMT, make sure you get down early and soak up the atmosphere in our Fanzone ahead of kick-off.

Supporters will enjoy a range of pre-match entertainment, including live music, skills games, appearances from Pete & Alice the Eagle, and much more!

There’s also some great food and drink offerings throughout the zone and our retail truck. Please note that all vendors are cashless.

Make sure you head down early and enjoy a proper South London atmosphere ahead of the game – the Fanzone opens two hours before kick-off (15:45 GMT).

Welfare team

Palace this season will have a welfare team on matchdays, fully trained and here to support any fan who needs someone to talk to.

You can spot them by their lanyards (soon to be baby blue bibs) or ask a steward or stand manager to connect you with one.

Alongside them, a welfare hub, located in the corner of Park Road and Holmesdale Road, staffed by Mind in Croydon, offering fans a confidential space at every Premier League fixture if support is required.

As a reminder, every season ticket holder aged 16 and over now has access to 24/7 mental health support through Mind Over Match, a service created by Life and Progress and built specifically for football fans.

To learn more about these services, please visit here or email inclusion@cpfc.co.uk.

Ticket Reprints

If supporters require a ticket reprint on matchday, dedicated reprint stations are available to use – they will open two hours before kick-off.

The Entrance 9 and Entrance 4 reprint stations will be available for this fixture.

Accessibility

The club will continue to offer audio descriptive commentary for supporters across the entire stadium, in order for visually impaired fans to follow the match.

For the 2026/27 season, supporters can request audio descriptive commentary and Give Vision Headsets in advance and collect them from the Information Point on matchday, which opens three hours before kick-off.

Requests must be made at least two days before the fixture.

We will be able to update you during the season if any changes should occur.

Keep up-to-date on WhatsApp

We highly recommend following our WhatsApp Channel, a dedicated matchday service for our fans to receive important updates.

To follow Palace on WhatsApp Channels, simply click the link here on a device which has WhatsApp installed.

The Channel will serve as the home of matchday information, ensuring match-going supporters are kept as up-to-date as possible, as well as being sent the latest matchday content, including press conferences, team news and results. Find out more here.

Match Details

Crystal Palace v TSG Hoffenheim

Thursday, 5th November
17:45 GMT
UEFA Europa League
Selhurst Park
Tickets available here.
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.

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