Ipswich Town promotion charge: A final game guide
- Published
The town of Ipswich is abuzz with energy after Kieran McKenna's team took a big step closer to the Premier League on Tuesday, thanks to a 2-1 win at Coventry.
Ipswich Town have one game left of the season and the team need just one point to be automatically promoted, without having to go through the play-offs.
Fans from across the town and beyond are nervously waiting ahead of Saturday's home game at Portman Road against Huddersfield Town, who are all but condemned to relegation to League One.
But are match tickets still available? Where can you watch the game if you don't have a ticket? And are any events planned for Saturday or beyond?
Are tickets available for Saturday's game?
Non-season ticket holders were able to buy tickets for Saturday's game back in April, on a priority basis depending on how many games supporters had been to previously.
These sold out quickly and those hunting for a ticket will be unable to get hold of any through the Ipswich Town website.
The BBC has heard from many fans who are desperately trying to source tickets ahead of the game.
BBC Radio Suffolk spoke to Simon Nolloth, whose son Ed Nolloth has planned to fly back from New Zealand where he lives just for the match - but he needs a ticket.
Mr Nolloth Snr said they had been watching Tuesday's game together via WhatsApp when his son decided to book a flight to come over.
"He's a big Town fan," Mr Nolloth Snr added.
"We're hoping someone will take pity on us hopefully, we'll give it a good go."
Where can I watch the game if I don't have a ticket?
BBC Radio Suffolk's build up to the match starts at 11:00 BST and will be followed by full commentary.
Kick-off is at 12:30.
Sky Sports will be broadcasting live from Portman Road, with their coverage starting at 11:30.
A number of pubs across the town will be broadcasting the game live, including The Thomas Wolsey on St Peter's Street, The Brewers Arms on Orford Street and The Curve Bar on Princes Street.
Isaacs on the Quay has shared on social media that it will be showing the game "across all areas of the venue with full sound".
However, a family zone will be set up for those who want to enjoy the game "in a slightly calmer environment", the pub has said.
Are there any pre-match events planned?
Fan group Blue Action is encouraging supporters to gather ahead of the game to welcome the players' coach to Portman Road.
Posting on Facebook, the group asked people to 'roar them on to the Premier League', external.
The message says to meet at Sir Alf Ramsey Way at 11:00.
Blue Action provided a raucous welcome to the players ahead of the final home game of last season's campaign, and also before the derby with Norwich in December.
What do Ipswich Town need to do in order to secure promotion?
Ipswich need just one point against Huddersfield in order to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League for next season.
They currently sit in second place, three points clear of Leeds, but with a worse goal difference.
If Ipswich achieve their goal it will be back-to-back promotions for McKenna's side.
If they lose on Saturday and Leeds win against Southampton, Town will finish the season in third place and head into the play-offs.
Huddersfield, meanwhile, travel to Portman Road second from the bottom of the league, on 45 points.
They are two points behind Birmingham and three points off Plymouth, who will start the weekend above the relegation zone.
However, Huddersfield's inferior goal difference (11 worse than Birmingham and 15 behind Plymouth) means the Terriers would have to beat Ipswich by several goals, and hope the two teams above them lose, to earn themselves a miraculous reprieve from relegation.
What is the plan to 'turn Ipswich blue and white'?
Ipswich Central has called on businesses in the town centre to "turn Ipswich blue and white".
Chair of the group and Town supporter, Terry Baxter, said the gesture would "show the team we're behind them".
"Let’s show the team we are behind them by dressing shop windows and shop fronts blue and white, waving flags in support, put up bunting and balloons and of course urging staff to wear the club colours on Saturday," he said.
Mr Baxter added the potential promotion could "be a massive boost" for the town and its town centre businesses.
"Ipswich Central is fully backing the Blues and their bid for promotion to the Premier League as the icing on the cake for a fantastic season - Come on You Blues," he added.
What is planned if Ipswich Town are promoted?
At the moment, no news on promotion celebrations have been shared.
Last year's promotion to the Championship saw a large celebration event in Christchurch Park.
Can I get season tickets for the 2024-25 season?
It is more bad news if you are looking to get season tickets for the 2024-25 campaign.
Last Friday the club announced that the full allocation of season tickets had been snapped up by existing holders, with 20,000 renewals.
Chief executive Mark Ashton said the support had been "incredible".
"Season ticket holders are incredibly important and for such a high number to have renewed for the new campaign is another example highlighting the loyal support the club is fortunate to have," he said.
The club has previously said it wants to keep some tickets available for supporters who cannot commit to every match.
It also has plans to develop the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road, which could result in season ticket holders having to be temporarily housed in other parts of the ground.
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