Fenerbahçe supporter guide

Aston Villa supporters intending to travel to Istanbul for the club’s UEFA Europa League Matchday Seven meeting with Fenerbahçe on Thursday, January 22 (ko 5.45pm) should familiarise themselves with the guidance below before purchasing match tickets or making travel arrangements.

This guide includes important information on travel requirements, stadium access, accommodation advice, local laws and British Embassy guidance to help ensure a safe and smooth trip.

Kick-off time: 8.45pm local time (5.45pm GMT)

British Embassy Guidance

The British Embassy and Consulate in Turkey will be on standby to assist travelling supporters, and strongly encourage all fans to stay informed ahead of departure.

Supporters are advised to:

• Read the latest Foreign Office travel advice for Turkey and sign up for email alerts via GOV.UK website, here: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey
• Ensure their British passport is valid for at least 150 days to enter Turkey
• Take out appropriate foreign travel insurance, as EHIC and GHIC cards are not valid in Turkey

Please note:

• It is illegal to consume alcohol in public places in Turkey
• Alcohol should only be consumed at licensed bars and restaurants
• It is a legal requirement to always carry valid photo ID; supporters are advised to carry their physical passport

Mandatory Meeting Point and Transport to the Stadium

Following instructions from local police, all Aston Villa supporters must travel to and from Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium using a designated shuttle bus service.

Supporters are required to meet at Sultanahmet Square, adjacent to the Blue Mosque, no later than 3pm. Full details are as follows...

• Buses will arrive at the meeting point at Sultanahmet Square from 2pm
• All supporters must arrive at the meeting point at Sultanahmet Square no later than 3pm
• All fans will be subject to ticket checks, body and bag searches by local police and security officers prior to boarding the buses, with all prohibited items to be confiscated
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited on the shuttle buses
• Public toilets are available in Sultanahmet Square, but there are no toilets on the buses
• The buses will depart in convoy escorted by police and local security officers no later than 4pm
• Buses will arrive at the stadium at approximately 5pm (please note journey times may vary)
• All supporters will be required to board the buses to return to the meeting point at Sultanahmet Square post match
• Supporters should not leave any personal belongings on the buses

Supporters who miss the buses will not be collected later. Access to the stadium by any other form of transport will not be permitted, and police will turn away supporters who do not follow the mandatory travel arrangements.

Accommodation Advice

Supporters are strongly advised to book accommodation on the European side of Istanbul, ideally close to Sultanahmet Square.

Booking accommodation near Taksim Square is not recommended, as it is expected to be a gathering point for Fenerbahçe supporters.

Stadium Arrival and Entry Procedures

Turnstiles at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium will open approximately three hours before kick-off. Entry is expected to be slow due to security procedures.

Supporters should expect:

• Initial ticket checks and soft body searches by Fenerbahçe stewards
• Further queuing through narrow lanes
• A full body search and ticket scan at the turnstiles

Fans are strongly advised to bring only essential items, as local police have confirmed that anything deemed throwable or usable as a missile will be confiscated without exception.

There will also be restrictions on medical items. Supporters who require essential medical equipment should contact accessibility@avfc.co.uk in advance for further guidance.

Visiting Supporter Areas and Facilities

Aston Villa supporters will be seated in:

• Blocks O & P (lower tier)
• Blocks G & H (upper tier)

The away section includes Perspex screening at the sides, metal fencing at the front and protective netting overhead. Local police will be present throughout the match.

Accessibility notes:

• Wheelchair users will be located within a small, enclosed area with wire mesh and a steep access ramp
• Personal assistants will be seated directly behind, outside the enclosure
• Upper tier access involves more than 100 steps, no lift access and very steep, uneven stairs

Facilities:

• Lower tier: one shared female/accessible toilet and one male toilet
• Upper tier: one female and one male toilet block
• Facilities are basic

Each tier has one catering kiosk offering hot and cold food and drinks. No alcohol will be sold inside the stadium. All major debit and credit cards are accepted, and prices are in Turkish Lira.

Post-Match Arrangements

After the final whistle, supporters will be subject to a mandatory holdback of 90 minutes to two hours, as instructed by local police.

All supporters must return to Sultanahmet Square using the official shuttle buses. Catering kiosks will remain open during the holdback period to allow supporters to purchase refreshments.

Medical Exemptions

Local police have advised that items such as inhalers, medical syringes and epi-pens will not be permitted and will be confiscated on entry.

Supporters requiring tablet or liquid medication can request a medical exemption and should contact accessibility@avfc.co.uk before travelling.

Prohibited Items

Supporters are urged to travel light. Items likely to be confiscated include, but are not limited to:

• Coins
• Power banks and portable chargers
• Cameras
• Vapes and e-cigarettes
• Lighters
• Umbrellas
• Bottles and cans
• Fireworks, flares and smoke bombs
• Laptops
• Air horns and megaphones
• Flag poles
• Weapons or tools
• Musical instruments

These restrictions also apply to certain medical items. Please contact the club in advance if clarification is required.

Alcohol and Bag Policy

• Alcohol is not permitted on shuttle buses or inside the stadium
• Public consumption of alcohol is illegal in Turkey
• Only small handbags will be allowed into the stadium
• There is no bag storage facility, and larger bags may be confiscated

Phone Chargers

Power banks and portable phone chargers are not permitted inside the stadium. Supporters are advised to fully charge their phones before travelling to the meeting point.

Flag Policy

Supporters wishing to bring flags must seek approval in advance. Requests must include:

• An image of the flag
• Flag dimensions
• A valid fire certificate

These details must be emailed to supporters@avfc.co.uk by 9am on Monday, January 12. Late submissions will be rejected.

Flags must comply with Aston Villa’s flag policy and must not display political, sectarian or religious messaging.

Regional risks

There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:

• Read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• Monitor local and international media for the latest information
• Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
• Stay away from areas around security or military facilities

British Consulate Contact Details

British Consulate General Istanbul
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No:42
Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu
34435 Istanbul, Turkey

Emergency telephone
+90 212 334 64 00 (24/7)

The AVFC Fenerbahçe Supporter Information WhatsApp channel will be used to communicate live information to supporters attending the game. Follow the channel by clicking below.