Rangers unveil plans to boost fan experience at Ibrox

Scottish Premiership football club Rangers has revealed plans to improve the fan experience at its Ibrox home stadium ahead of the new season.

The club will host a revamped fan zone experience at the Ibrox Football Centre at the first Premiership home game of the season against St Mirren on August 11.

Rangers expects approximately 2,000 fans to visit the zone, which, according to the Herald newspaper, will feature a bar, kiosks and various entertainment such as activities for kids.

The free-to-visit zone will open at 11am, with activities due to start at 12pm and a Rangers legends question and answer session to take place at 2pm. The zone will close during the match but reopen after full time and remain open until 6pm.

Acting on behalf of the club, licensing agent Stephen McGowan said: “Rangers want to create a better matchday experience for the fans. A decision has been taken to proceed with a one-off event.

“The driver here is a wider aspiration from the football club to demonstrate that they can operate a fun facility which is safe and in which families can come and enjoy themselves. The club wants this to be a civilised experience.

“The next steps for us are to look at other similar events we might be able to hold.

“This is dipping our toes in. Thereafter there’s a long-term vision. But that’s some months away at least.”

The Herald said that the club has secured the appropriate licence to sell alcohol in the zone, while Ranges has also lodged an application for a temporary public entertainment licence.

A Ranges spokeswoman added: “This area will be significantly larger than the current test site and will create a new family-friendly environment where supporters can gather before and after the game to participate in a variety of activities, meet ex-Rangers players, listen to live music and enjoy a range of food and drinks, including alcohol, from local suppliers.

“It will be carefully managed by stewards to ensure a safe and secure environment for supporters and their families to enjoy the pre-match entertainment.”

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