Charlton Athletic has published a complete matchday guide for their upcoming Sky Bet Championship fixture against Preston North End. The club's official website detailed all the key timings and supporter information for the 3pm BST kick-off at The Valley this Saturday.
What time do things open on matchday?
Supporters can begin their day early with the club shop opening at 10am. The West Stand Ticket Office follows at 10:30am. From midday, the Fans' Bar, Bartram's, and the free Fan Zone all become accessible. The Covered End Ticket Office and the SLO desk in Valley Central also open at 12pm. Hospitality lounges welcome guests at 12:30pm, with stadium turnstiles opening for all fans at 1:30pm. The club shop will remain open for one hour after the final whistle.
What is the new bag policy for 2026/27?
A revised bag policy is in effect for the new season. Only transparent bags are permitted inside The Valley. Reusable clear bags are available for purchase at the club shop for 80p. Supporters requiring a medical exemption must email safetyteam@cafc.co.uk by 6pm on Friday before the match. For future games, an online exemption form will be available at least 48 hours before kick-off. A temporary bag storage facility will be ready for the next home game against Queens Park Rangers, with a permanent solution planned for later in the campaign.
How can fans travel to The Valley?
The Valley Express service offers travel to home league matches from Kent and Sussex. A seasonal pass for the 2026/27 campaign costs £299, a price which has been frozen for a second consecutive year. This works out to approximately £13 per match. Passes can be purchased until the Saturday morning of a 3pm fixture. For those driving, JustPark provides additional pre-bookable parking spaces for men's first-team games. Floyd Road, Harvey Gardens, and Valley Grove will be closed to traffic from 2pm until just after kick-off.
What other matchday activities are available?
The Charlton Athletic Museum, run by volunteer trustees in The Valley's Covered End, is open from 11am to 1pm on home matchdays. Matchday programs, featuring defender Lloyd Jones on the cover, are priced at £4 and are card-only purchases. At half-time, the Valley Gold Crossbar Challenge offers a £6,000 prize. The renovated Valley Superstore will be open, selling the latest home and third kits, training wear, and other merchandise.
Charlton Athletic Football Club provided this comprehensive information. The Addicks head into the match sitting third in the Championship table with six points from two wins. They have scored four goals and conceded two, giving them a positive goal difference. Their next fixture is an away trip to face second-placed West Brom on September 2nd. Fans can track the team's progress on the official standings and fixtures pages.
