Hibernian FC faces KAA Gent at Easter Road in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie on Thursday, 27 August. The club has issued detailed supporter information for the 8pm kick-off, with a large crowd of 18,000 fans anticipated, as reported by Hibernian FC. This European fixture comes as the team sits seventh in the Scottish Premiership, having taken three points from their opening two league matches.
What do supporters need to know for matchday?
Turnstiles at Easter Road will open at 7pm, one hour before the 8pm kick-off. They will close shortly after the half-time interval. The South Stand will be open for home supporters, though tickets are limited. The Hibernian Club store will operate from 10am until 8pm on matchday, with a kiosk in the Pat Stanton Stand available before and after the game. All other stadium kiosks will be open from 7pm until 9:15pm. The route around the rear of the South Stand will be accessible before and after the match.
How will travel and parking be affected?
Major congestion is expected on roads including Easter Road, London Road, Leith Street, and the Leith Walk area. This is due to the match coinciding with large numbers of visitors in the city for the Edinburgh Festival and a concert at Ingliston. Temporary bus route diversions avoiding sections of Princes Street will add an estimated 20 to 30 minutes to journey times. Trams will run at 7-minute intervals, but the service is only operating from Edinburgh Airport to the West End. Local streets around the stadium will close one hour before kick-off. Disabled supporters with blue badges can park for free on St. Clair Street and the north side of Hawkhill Avenue, but vehicles must be in place before the road closures take effect. No vehicle movement will be permitted until restrictions are lifted, typically 15 to 20 minutes after the final whistle.
What are the stadium conduct rules?
Hibernian Football Club has reiterated that unacceptable conduct will not be tolerated. Prohibited actions include possession of pyrotechnics, throwing objects, causing damage, entering the trackside or field of play, or bringing bottles and cans into the stadium. The club has stated it will support Police Scotland and the courts in acting against any breaches. Sanctions for such behaviour may include an indefinite club ban, a Football Banning Order, or even a custodial sentence. Supporters are asked to keep walkways clear, take their designated seats, and listen to instructions from Police Scotland, stewards, and club officials over the PA system. The club prides itself on being for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, colour, gender, religion, creed, or sexual orientation.
How has the matchday experience been enhanced?
A significant investment was made in the summer of 2024 to improve the supporter experience at Easter Road. This included a full upgrade of the stadium's floodlight system. Industry specialists were consulted prior to installation to ensure the health and safety of supporters remains paramount. The new lights conform to all accepted standards, and the pre-match lightshows, which also occur when Hibernian scores in selected domestic games, do not contain light sequences of unusual frequencies that would raise photosensitivity concerns.
With the European focus on Thursday, Hibernian's attention will quickly turn back to domestic duties. They travel to face Dundee, who are currently second in the Premiership table, on Saturday, 30 August. You can track the busy schedule on our fixtures page. The squad will be without the sidelined Rocky Bushiri for these upcoming matches, as they look to build on a league record of three goals scored and three conceded so far this season.
