Guide to the Gardens: Loughborough Lightning vs Sale Sharks

Below are the opening hours for Lightning vs Sale Sharks Women.

• 10.30am: Car Park D open
• 11am: Ticket Office windows open
• 11:30am: Stadium open, Lightning Clubhouse open, Village Store open
• 1pm: Lightning vs Sale Sharks KO
• 1.15pm: Ticket Office closes
• 1.40pm: Lightning vs Sale Sharks HT
• 1.55pm: Village Store closes
• 2.30pm: Lightning vs Sale Sharks FT
• 3.15pm: Rodber Bar closes
• 3.30pm: Lightning Clubhouse closes
• 8pm: Car park closes

• The first 700 people who arrive through the turnstiles at Gate 2 for Lightning’s first home game of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season against Sale Sharks on Sunday 2 November (kick-off: 1pm) will receive a Lightning trading card.
• The cards avaliable at the game against Sale are completely unique, one-time only editions of Lightning’s World Cup heroes.
• The official Saints x Lightning Trading Cards are not yet available to purchase, and the only way to get your hands on the first Loughborough Lightning limited edition cards is by coming along to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for the game.
• The cards include an intricate design including information on the player’s number, player position and nationality.
• From December, supporters will be able to purchase official Northampton Saints and Lightning trading card packs – including a mixture of supporters’ favourite players from both squads.

• Fans attending Sunday’s fixture will be able to get a photo with the Rugby World Cup trophy inside the Rodber Bar.
• As a polite notice, we want to remind fans please do not touch the trophy.

• For the 2025/26 PWR season, Loughborough Lightning will have a brand new fan-zone located between the Gate 2 turnstiles up to the South Stand Reception.
• Make sure to check out our Family Zone inside of Heroes Bar, and have a go at sign making, face painting, trading card exchanging and the passing cage!
• Have your photograph taken with the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy in the Rodber Bar.
• There will be live music from Hannah Faulkner inside Rodber Bar before the game and at half-time, alongside DJ Carly Wilford inside the stadium bowl!
• Make sure you’re pitchside after the final whistle for your chance to receive a signed ball from a Lightning player.
• Watch out at half-time for the young rugby players who have participated in our Under-7s festival, who will be parading the pitch.
• Don’t miss the Little Saints race which will be happening on the pitch at half-time.
• Club of the Match, Northampton Casuals RFC, will be providing the guard of honour as the teams run out onto the pitch.

• Make sure to get to the Village Store to get your hands on our brand new Loughborough Lightning home and way kits for the 2025/26 season and show your support!
• You can also order the kit and other Lightning merchandise HERE.

• Loughborough Lightning’s matchday programme is available to all supporters, free of charge, via a digital-only format.
• From 4pm on Friday 31 October, the matchday programme for Lightning vs Sale will be available to view HERE.

• Lightning versus Sale Sharks is included in the 2025/26 Lightning Season Ticket.
• Season Ticket Holders should have received their individual match tickets for this fixture – please contact ticketoffice@northamptonsaints.co.uk if you are yet to receive your tickets.

• Car Park D is available for supporters, priced at £3 for Lightning fixtures.
• Car Park hangers do not apply for this fixture.
• Car Park D opens from 10:30am.
• After the Car Parks close at 8pm, there will be no access to any vehicle left behind until Monday morning.
• Given that cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens sits in a residential area of the town, we strongly urge all supporters to use the Club’s Car Parks. Should they choose not to do so, supporters must park with due care and respect for the needs of local residents and businesses.

• Rodber Bar (East Stand) will be open from 11:30am. Hot and cold drinks will be available along with food options.
• There will also be a new Pick & Mix stall in the Rodber Bar.
• Rodber Bar will close around 45 minutes after the final whistle.
• Please be aware that cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is a cashless stadium; all bars and food outlets will only accept card payments.

• This season, Box 1 (East Stand) will be available to use as a sensory room on Lightning matchdays.
• This a designated space to help people, regardless of age, who have sensory processing needs.
• Its purpose is to provide a safe and calming environment for those with neurodivergent needs who may be finding the match atmosphere overwhelming.
• This will include ear defenders, fidget toys, colouring, feelings cards and calming sound/light for people to use.

• ​The Club requests that supporters refrain from standing at the side of the pitch to watch the warm-up to prevent congestion. Please watch the warm-up from your seat.
• There will NOT be an official timekeeper in attendance at the game on Sunday, so the in-stadium clocks will not stop during the game.
• Saints’ Fan Radios will NOT be in use on Sunday.