Fenway Park Prepares for Rowdy Soccer Crowd by Keeping Fans of Opposing Teams Apart

Fenway Park will be sporting a new look, transforming its historic baseball diamond into a soccer pitch on Wednesday.

While Red Sox fans are known for speaking their mind, soccer fans may have them beat in that category. In anticipation of a rowdy audience, Fenway Park will divide fans for each club into different seating sections for the game.

The Celtic Football Club and the Sporting Clube de Portugal will face off in the Fenway Football Challenge at 8 p.m. ET. The matchup will count as an exhibition game for the two European squads.

The event marks the first soccer match played at Fenway since July 9, 1968 when Pele and Brazil’s Santos Football Club played the Boston Beacons.

For seating specifics and everything else fans need to know before heading out to the game, check out the information below.

What time will gates open on Wednesday, July 21st?
Fenway Park gates will open two hours prior to the game at 6:00 p.m.

Where are the gate locations and access points at Fenway Park?
There are 5 entrances to Fenway Park:

• Gate A: Corner of Yawkey Way and Brookline Avenue
• Gate B: Corner of Van Ness Street and Ipswich Street
• Gate C: Lansdowne Street across from the House of Blues
• Gate D: Corner of Yawkey Way and Van Ness Street
• Gate E: Lansdowne Street near Brookline Avenue

Which sections are for Celtic fans and which sections are for Sporting fans?

Are there any rules about fan behavior?

• Fenway Park does not allow pass-outs. There is no re-entry on a ticket stub. 
• Respect other guests’ ability to enjoy the game. Loud or obnoxious fans could be asked to leave the ballpark if their behavior is deemed to be offensive to guests around them.
• Please do not bring balloons, beach balls, nets, laser pointers or noise makers of any kind into Fenway Park. These items are not permitted at any time.
• For the safety of all fans, do not interfere with the progress of the game or go onto the playing field.
• Please sit in your assigned seat and be prepared to show your ticket to an usher or ballpark supervisor upon request.

What is the alcoholic beverage policy for Football at Fenway?
Alcohol is served at Fenway Park at various Aramark vending stations throughout the ballpark.  Fans must be of legal drinking age and must produce valid Government-issued identification to be served.  Guests will not be allowed to bring alcohol into and out of the ballpark. Beer will be served beginning from 6:00 p.m. and will last till 10 minutes into the second half of the match, or will be shut off at management’s discretion.
 
What items can fans bring into the park? What is not permitted? Is there a bag check?
Each entry gate has designated bag search lines for all patrons carrying items needing inspection. There will be express lines for patrons not carrying a bag or item needing inspection.  To ensure fan safety, the Boston Red Sox reserve the right to refuse admittance of any item deemed hazardous or suspicious. As for beverages, no glass bottles, plastic bottles or cans are permitted into Fenway Park. Only those used for infant feedings will be allowed. Here is a complete list of prohibited items:

• Aerosol Cans
• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals (with the exception of guide dogs for the disabled)
• Bags or items larger than 16″x16″x8″
• Balls (beach balls, footballs, etc.)
• Bottles, cans, thermoses and other beverage containers
• Cameras with lenses longer than six inches or any commercial audio/visual equipment.  Cameras and video cameras are permitted but cannot be used to reproduce the game and must not interfere with other fans’ enjoyment of the game.
• Chairs or seat cushions with arms or backs (other than those approved for persons with accessibility needs requirements) larger than 15″x15″
• Clothing with profane or abusive language, obscene graphics, or material considered to be indecent by ballpark management
• Coolers and ice chests
• Firearms
• Fireworks
• Flagpoles
• Headwear or clothing/items that may impede the view of fans
• Illegal drugs and substances
• Inflatable devices (balloons, etc.)
• Laptop computers
• Large, professional style camera bags
• Laser pointer devices
• Monopods and tripods
• Noise makers of any kind
• Promotional materials advertising organizations or companies not affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Major League Baseball, Celtic FC or Sporting CP
• Radios or handheld TV’s larger than pocket -sized
• Strollers
• Sticks or poles
• Umbrellas
• Video Cameras
• Weapons (knives, box — cutters, firearms, etc.)
• Any other items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate by ballpark management may be prohibited. Fans will not be able to store any prohibited items at Fenway Park.

Are we allowed to bring any food or drinks into the game?
Food and beverages will be available throughout the ballpark at concession stands and carts managed by Aramark. Visitors may not bring any food or drink items into the ballpark.

Are we allowed to bring a banner or sign to mark such a fun and historic occasion?
The entry and display of banners and signs in Fenway Park is permitted within certain guidelines to protect the safety and enjoyment of all patrons. The times of display are limited to before the game, commercial timeouts, halftime, and after the game. Management reserves the right to confiscate banners or signs with an inappropriate message, causing a disturbance and/or obstructing sightlines.  Banners and signs may never be mounted on sticks, wooden frames or any similar apparatus and may not be attached to any railings.

Will Yawkey Way be open?
Yawkey Way will be closed to vehicle traffic two hours prior to the gates opening through the conclusion of the game.  During this time it will be considered part of Fenway Park as it is for Red Sox Games.

Where can I buy Football at Fenway merchandise in Boston?
Team merchandise will be available at the Red Sox Team Store on Yawkey Way and also in their new in-park store inside the ballpark adjacent to Gate B.

Is there re-entry into the game?
There is no re-entry into Fenway Park on a ticket stub.

Are kids of a certain age allowed in free?
All fans must have a ticket regardless of age.

What is the Football at Fenway ticket refund policy?
Football at Fenway will be held on July 21, 2010 at Fenway Park, in Boston, MA.  The event may be postponed for any reason.  No refunds unless the event is cancelled and not rescheduled.

If postponed, the Event will be held at the same location on July 22, 2010.  Event tickets issued for July 21, 2010 will be honored for the postponed event on July 22, 2010.  Start time for July 22 is TBD.

Is there smoking at Fenway Park?
Smoking is strictly prohibited in all areas of Fenway Park.

Is Fenway Park ADA accessible?
Yes.  Wheelchair spaces are located in the Grandstand, Bleacher, Green Monster, Right Field Roof Deck, Loge Box, Infield and Right Field Roof Box and -EMC areas. Wheelchair Escorts are also available for guests that need assistance to and from their seats.

For more information, go to redsox.com.