SAINTS have confirmed that Japanese premium lager Sapporo will be available everywhere at St Mary's this season as part of huge stadium changes.

The club remain in contract with Kingfisher, which is still available at all bars in the stadium - but supporters will now have increased choice.

The club also confirmed details of 'The Dell' bar set to open on matchday and non-matchdays, as well as new retail units and fan zones.

A Saints statement said: "We’re delighted to be welcoming fans back to St Mary’s Stadium as the 2024/25 season soon gets underway.

"As you’ll be aware, the stadium and our footprint have undergone significant upgrades this summer.

"We have introduced safe standing in the home-fan-only Northam Stand, a new Kids Zone and moving the away fans to the Chapel/Kingsland corner, as well as three new fan zones and general improvements to the concourses. 

"So, ahead of the new season kicking off, here’s what you’ll need to know so far. We will have further updates coming so please keep an eye on our news pages for details."

Getting to the stadium  

By foot

With the introduction of a new away end, now located in the Chapel/Kingsland corner, the usual route getting into the stadium may have changed.

Access into the stadium is best reached via Marine Parade, Britannia Road or via the Railway Footbridge off Northam Road.

If fans are sitting in the Chapel Stand, the club would advise entering the stadium via Marine Parade. 

Away fan coaches will now be parked on Melbourne Street, so access for home fans on a matchday will be limited via Melbourne Street.  

By shuttle bus

Information will be coming soon on new pick-up and drop-off points for anyone taking a shuttle bus from Southampton Central Station or Town Quay to the stadium.

Parking at St Mary’s Stadium

Only seasonal pre-booked accessibility parking is now available at St Mary’s stadium on matchdays.

Saints say they will be contacting those who had accessible parking last season shortly to confirm the next steps.

Due to limited space, there are no new spaces available for the pre-booked accessibility parking so please don’t contact us to enquire. 

The club will be launching some paid-for seasonal parking spaces in Ocean Village, with full details to be announced on their website next week.

Digital Tickets

The Saints Tickets App is new for the 2024/25 season and is available to download now. Fans are encouraged to download the app before arriving at the stadium. 

They must register using their ‘MySaints’ email address that they used to purchase their season ticket or match ticket.

Tickets will be available in the app a week before each match. However, for the first game against Nottingham Forest, these have been added a month out.

This allows supporters to check their tickets and ensure everything is set up correctly for this new process.

Safe Standing

All safe standing has now been installed. It is one of the largest in the country, with over 7,000 home fans standing in the new Northam Stand.

There will also be safe standing in the new away End in the Chapel/Kingsland corner, as per safe standing rules in the UK.

Saints have issued a reminder that there will be no home standing allowed in the Chapel/Kingsland. Anyone repeatedly standing will be asked to leave. 

New Kids Zone

Supporters will notice that the old family stand has moved due to the new away fans area. A new kids zone can be found between the Chapel Stand and Itchen Stand. 

The kids zone is the place to be for all Junior Saints fans. Saints say: "Keep an eye out for activities in the family-themed concourse."

New Food and Drinks Offerings

Guinness and Saporro will now be available in all parts of the ground, and Saints will also be offering Robinsons fruit drinks and Yazoo Milkshakes.

Saints have announced that they have increased their range of food available by nearly 40 per cent across the stadium.

Several items, including burgers, have been replaced by a higher quality range and they have added loaded fries, chicken strips and strombolis to the matchday offering.

The range of confectionary has also been increased by 100 per cent, with a whole new range of sweets, crisps and chocolate on offer.

Perimeter Fence

When supporters approach St Mary’s, they may spot a new red fence that goes all the way around the footprint.

The perimeter fence allows fans to be able to enjoy the outside spaces before kick-off and to soak up the pre-match atmosphere.

Those fans who sit in the Chapel, Northam and Kingland Stands can also go outside at half-time in a safe environment. 

The perimeter fence also allows Saints to create dedicated fan zones and areas on non-matchdays, where they will be able to host a variety of events.  

All new fan zones

Northam fan zone – opening on August 24

Located in the North Car Park, the Northam fan zone will open for the first home game in the Premier League at 12pm on Saturday, August 24. 

A new 700-capacity covered structure with more bars and food on offer than ever before offers the perfect place to grab a pre-match pint or celebrate. 

There will be a stage for entertainment. Fans can expect live music, pre and post-match interviews with ex-Saints, current players and the manager.

There will also be a new 7m screen showing the early and late kick-off games. 

New retail unit 

The Northam fan zone will also include a new retail unit, located on the Northam/Kingsland Corner, with all the latest merchandise and new season kits on sale.

Family fan zone – opening on August 7

Located just opposite the Chapel Stand and kids zone, in the old South Car Park, is the new family fan zone. 

The family fan zone will be open for the club's first pre-season friendly against Lazio on Wednesday, August 7.

On matchday, this area will offer supporters fun for the entire family to enjoy, with games, competitions and great entertainment from special guests.  

You can expect a visit from Sammy and Mary Saint here as well as a range of food and drink outlets and bathroom facilities.  

Kingsland fan zone – Will be ready for the August 10

Outside the Kingsland stand you’ll find the new Kingsland fan zone. The Kingsland fan zone will first open on Saturday, August 10, for the game against Getafe. 

There will be a wide range of food and drink offerings, a big screen to watch the early game as well as new covered outdoor seating areas.

The Gasworks Bar will still be open on matchdays.

Ticket office moving and The Dell Bar

The current ticket office is still open; however, it will be moving to make way for a new bar called The Dell.

The ultimate Saints tribute, The Dell will be a new bar open on matchdays and non-matchdays. More details on The Dell's opening will be announced soon.

The ticket office will be moving to a new home, with a temporary location set up at the Chapel End of the stadium.

Saints will give an update with full details of the current ticket office closure and the temporary office in due course.

CHAMPAGNE BAR - coming soon! 

Saints will be converting six of the executive boxes on the top floor of the Itchen North end of the stadium into a new Champagne Bar.

This lounge will be available for matchdays and can also be used on non-matchdays as a celebration space for birthdays, anniversaries and much more.

More details and the full launch will come later in 2024.