The Halo Effect: Greener Game

We can all play a part in becoming more environmentally sustainable with the club putting on a range of activities for supporters to get involved with ahead of the game against Arsenal, kick-off at 3pm, including:

- A free park and ride service for supporters driving into Southampton
- A wire fish sculpture to collect supporters’ single-use plastic recycling
- Packets of wildflower seeds being given out to young fans
- Promotions on vegan food options in the St Mary’s concourses
- And much more

Supporters will also have the chance to feature on the big screen by making their own environmental sustainability pledges – find out how to take part and the full list of activities taking place below, all based on key environmental issues highlighted by The Halo Effect:

Travel emissions

To help alleviate the travel emissions that are caused by supporters driving to St Mary’s on a matchday and promote more sustainable travel options, the club has arranged for a free park and ride service at the Ageas Bowl for fans travelling from outside the city.

Supporters will need to pre-book parking spaces at the Ageas Bowl with buses departing at 1pm, 1.15pm, 1.30pm and 1.45pm taking fans directly to St Mary’s.

Fans that live closer to the stadium are encouraged to leave their cars at home with information on how to get to St Mary’s by bus, train, walking or cycling available here.

As part of the Greener Game, Arsenal is subsidising coach travel for away fans with all official club coaches offsetting carbon emissions. The first team coach will also be run on biodiesel fuel for travel to and from St Mary’s.

Waste

Supporters can learn more about the effects of plastic pollution with Final Straw Foundation bringing a giant wire fish sculpture that fans can drop their single-use plastics and bottles inside, highlighting the impact waste can have on our oceans.

Earlier this season the club introduced reusable plastic cups in the St Mary’s concourses with fans asked to make sure they place these in the designated cup collection bins after use.

Arsenal’s travel escorts will collect all plastic bottles accumulated on their coaches, which will then be given to Southampton to add to their waste collection bins.

Biodiversity

Young Saints fans will be able to take home wildflower seeds to plant at home with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust also handing out activity packs and prizes as part of their Wilder Southampton project.

Packs of wildflower seeds will also be sent back to Arsenal for their Junior Gunners young supporters to plant.

Supporters will also be able to take photos in front of a stunning living wall, made up of 192 plants, and upload them to social media using #GreenerGame – you can also submit a pledge using the form at the bottom of this page and it could feature on the big screen on Saturday!

Plant-based foods

Head to the stadium early with vegan tasters available for the first five hundred fans to enter the turnstiles – all vegan food options in the concourses will be 20 per cent off too!

Matchday entertainment

Make sure you pick up the matchday programme for the Greener Game with a special environmental themed edition, printed on recyclable paper for the match against Arsenal, and including exclusive player interviews and activities for young fans – kids can also visit face painters ahead of the game, available between 1-3pm outside St Mary’s.

The Halo Effect ambassador and Southampton FC Women’s player Katie Rood will be taking to the St Mary’s pitch at half-time to talk about her passion for the environment.

The Greener Game is a collaboration between Southampton FC and Arsenal with both clubs being members of BASIS (British Association for Sustainable Sport). You can find out more about how Southampton is living up to its Environmental Responsibility by visiting The Halo Effect website.

For your chance to feature on the big screen at Saturday’s game, submit your environmental sustainability pledge below: