Bulgaria vs England – Travel Advice

Fixture information

Passports and visas

Please check your passport and visa details:

• you don’t need a visa to travel to Bulgaria if you have a British Citizen passport; but your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country
• if you have a different type of British nationality (other than ‘British Citizen’), check entry requirements with the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel
• remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• make sure you take out good travel insurance even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties
• carry a copy of your passport biodata page at all times; you’ll need this (and your match ticket) to gain entry to the stadium
• if you lose your passport, or have it stolen, contact the British Embassy on +359 (0)2 9339 222 or online to book an appointment to apply for an Emergency Travel Document

Getting to National Stadium ‘Vassil Levski’

• Vassil Levski National Stadium is located in the city centre; you can find a map showing the location of the stadium here.
• the stadium can be reached by bus, tram, trolleybus or metro on the following lines: Bus lines: 9, 72, 76, 84, 284, 94, 204, 604; Trolleybus lines: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8; Tram lines: 10, 12, 18; Metro: Vassil Levski Stadium station
• you can find full details of parking and public transport in Sofia here
• there will be a ticket collection point at the National Palace of Culture opened 15:00-20:00 on Sunday 13 October and 10:00-21:00 on Monday 14 October

• it’s around 20 minute walk to the stadium from the National Palace of Culture; you can find a map showing the location of the National Palace of Culture here

• from the FSA Fans’ Embassy is around 25 minute walk to the stadium and 10 minute walk to the National Palace of Culture; you can find a map showing the location of the Fans’ Embassy here

• taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards, although some vehicles may not be in very good condition most taxis are metered and yellow taxis are generally considered reliable
• avoid taxis parked outside hotels or in tourist areas; ask your hotel to call a taxi or flag down a passing taxi with a green ‘available’ light in the window
• check the tariffs on the window before getting in as they can vary considerably
• at Sofia airport you should use a taxi from OK Supertrans at the official rank by booking at their desk in the arrivals hall

At the match

• England fans are seated in blocks 42, 43, 44 and 45 Sector G and should enter through gates 22, 23 and 24 (‘Gate’ is Вход in Bulgarian); the disabled entrance is through Gate 20, Sector G which is reachable from street level via a ramp. The disabled supporter spaces are pitch side and some way from the main England support.
• access to the stadium can be slow, there will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the stadium and at the turnstiles
• to avoid missing the start of the match, you should get to the stadium early – gates will open at 20:00
• anyone who is obviously drunk won’t be allowed into the stadium
• weapons, flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, bottle tops, containers over 0.5l, umbrellas and large bags/suitcases aren’t allowed into the stadium
• food and soft drinks will be available at kiosks near the stadium gates
• smoking is allowed at the stadium; lighters will be permitted
• England supporters will be kept behind for up to 40 minutes after the match to allow the Bulgaria fans to disperse

Helpful tips for local area

You should leave your passports in a hotel safe and use another form of ID: e.g passport photocopy. Driving licences are not considered IDs in Bulgaria.
You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport – only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.
Tap water in Sofia is drinkable.