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Beyond the Boundary

Experience the famous players’ walk from the dressing room to the hallowed Lord’s turf in this unique tour hosted by a cricketing icon.

Go ‘Beyond the Boundary’ at Lord’s Cricket Ground

You will be able to recreate one of the most famous walks in sport – from the dressing rooms, through the Long Room and on to the outfield, where the cricketer will share some of their greatest moments and experiences of playing on this famous cricket ground.

This unforgettable experience of going ‘Beyond the Boundary’ is every cricket lover’s dream come true, and includes:

A champagne and drinks reception in the Bowlers’ Bar – situated in the Pavilion – with a cricketing hero

An exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Lord's

The recreation of a player’s walk through the Long Room and on to the outfield

An exclusive Lord's lanyard signed by the cricketing hero

Lord’s branded Tote Bag with copies of Lord’s books

Duration:  3 hours Time:  12 noon Price:  £250 per person

Saturday, 24 August at 15:30hrs (Hosted by Graham Gooch)

Saturday, 23 November at 12:30hrs (Host TBC)

Gift Vouchers for the Beyond the Boundary can be bought online making them the perfect gift for a loved one.

For private group inquiries, please get in touch with our sales team at 0207 616 8595 or send an email to  [email protected] . 

Please note that we require a minimum of 15 guests to arrange a private experience.

Lord's Cricket Ground

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Gift vouchers.

Please select which tour type you require then click Continue. E-vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

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Experience the famous players’ walk from the dressing room to the hallowed Lord’s turf in this unique tour hosted by a cricketing icon.

Upon arrival, enjoy a drinks reception where you will meet the cricketer, before undertaking a fully guided tour of the MCC Museum, home to the Ashes Urn, historic Pavilion, including the Home and Away Dressing Rooms.

Guests will make the celebrated walk through the Long Room and out onto the outfield, where the cricketer will share some of their greatest moments and experiences of playing at Lord’s on the hallowed turf. The tour concludes in the iconic J.P. Morgan Media Centre.

This unforgettable experience of going beyond the boundary is every cricket fan’s dream come true.

Innings include:

• Champagne reception with a hero of cricket on arrival in the Bowlers’ Bar – situated in the Grade II*-listed Pavilion
• An exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour of Lord’s
• Renowned walk through the Long Room out on to the hallowed turf
• Exclusive Lord's lanyard signed by the Cricket hero
• Lord’s branded Tote Bag with copies of Lord’s books

In 1814 Thomas Lord founded what has become the world’s most celebrated cricket ground, renowned for its prestige and history.

It is also home to some of the finest and decorative art in the cricket world, which can be viewed as part of a new tour, this tour introduces the fascinating links to cricket and art, by visiting the famous Pavilion and MCC Museum to focus on the Club’s extensive art collection.

Perfect for cricket fans or art enthusiasts, this special tour offers a unique insight into the original paintings, which have connected the Club, Ground, and game to the wider world.

You will be treated to the following:

• Champagne reception with your Tour Guide in the Pavilion Bowlers' Bar
• An exclusive look at some of the Club’s most famous art pieces, and the history behind them
• A copy of the MCC Magazine

Meet, dine and walk with a hero of cricket in this hat-trick of experiences at Lord's.

Follow in the footsteps of the most famous names in cricket by handling objects and artefacts, having lunch in the Players' Dining Room, and embarking on the journey through the Long Room and on to the outfield, hosted by the player who will share their stories along the way.

Enjoy a meet-and-greet with the cricketer, before entering the world-famous Pavilion and sitting down to a spectacular three-course meal in the very room that the players take lunch and tea on a match day.

Guests will make the renowned walk through the Long Room and out onto the hallowed turf for a truly VIP experience. The tour concludes in the iconic J.P. Morgan Media Centre.

This exclusive and fantastic experience for any cricket fan will be as treasured as taking a hat-trick at Lord's.

• Champagne reception with a hero of cricket on arrival in the Bowlers’ Bar – situated in the Grade II*-listed Pavilion.
• An exclusive truly unique handling of precious objects and artefacts in the Museum (possibly handling WG Grace bat, Ben Stokes boots and MS Dhoni’s Wicket keeping gloves)
• Behind the scenes Tour of the Ground
• Three-course lunch includes homemade soup, a choice of four main dishes, and two dessert options plus drinks.
• Renowned walk through the Long Room out onto the hallowed turf.

Ever wanted to find out what's it like when you're playing a match at Lord's? Well, now you can experience the best bit of it yourself with the new Hosted Players' Dining Room Experience Tour. This special experience will allow guests to get up close and personal with cricketing heroes from the past, including socially distanced one-on-one time, photograph, and signing opportunities.

Alongside a full guided tour of the Ground, the day includes lunch in the same room where Joe Root, Sir Donald Bradman, and Sachin Tendulkar have each dined.

As well as visits to the Grade II* listed Pavilion, legendary Long Room, Committee Room, Writing Room, MCC Museum, home to the iconic Ashes Urn and the Pavilion Roof Terrace, which offers a breath-taking view of the Ground, including the new Compton and Edrich stands which are now taking shape a year into construction., guests will make the walk from the Dressing Rooms to the Players' Dining Room, to sit down for a delicious three-course meal.

Serving the same menu players select from on a match day, the lunch includes a homemade soup, the choice of three main dishes, and a dessert option. A glass of wine, beer, and soft drinks are all included too.

"Every cricketer will tell you that Lord's is a special place to play and I'm no different. The history, the atmosphere, all that stuff is great, but for me, the best thing about playing at Lord's is the food. Lord's makes me hungry. The grub in the Pavilion just can't be beaten “Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and England)"

Visit the most famous cricket ground in the world and go behind the scenes at 'The Home of Cricket'.

Join one of our expert guides who will lead you through iconic parts of the ground including the Grade II*-listed Victorian Pavilion, the world-famous Long Room, the Players’ Dressing Rooms, the dramatic J.P. Morgan Media Centre, and the MCC Museum, home of the Ashes Urn – cricket’s best-known artefact.

With extraordinary architecture, a fascinating collection of art and memorabilia, a Tour of Lord’s is not only a must for all cricket fans, but for everyone looking for a quintessentially English experience.

Ever wanted to find out what's it like when you're playing a match at Lord's? Well, now you can experience the best bit of it yourself with the new Players' Dining Room Experience Tour.

Alongside a full guided tour of the Ground, the day includes lunch in the same room where Joe Root, Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar have each dined.

As well as visits to the MCC Museum, the famous Long Room and the iconic J.P. Morgan Media Centre, guests will make the walk from the Dressing Rooms to the Players’ Dining Room, to sit down to a delicious three-course meal.

Serving the same menu players select from on a match day, the lunch includes a homemade soup, the choice of four main dishes and two dessert options. A glass of wine, beer and soft drinks are all included too.

“Every cricketer will tell you that Lord’s is a special place to play and I’m no different. The history, the atmosphere, all that stuff is great, but for me the best thing about playing at Lord’s is the food. Lord’s makes me hungry. The grub in the Pavilion just can’t be beaten” Matthew Hoggard (Yorkshire, Leicestershire and England)

The tour and lunch together will take approximately 3 hours and this exclusive view of the inner world of Lord’s is priced at £120 for adults and £60 for children.

Regarded amongst the players as one of the highlights of playing at Lord’s, make sure you don’t miss out on this special experience.

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AT THE HOME OF CRICKET

Enjoy a personalised, escorted tour of Lord's Cricket Ground for you and a group of your family, friends, or colleagues.

You, and up to four of your guests, can enjoy a private Tour of this historic ground. Tours can be tailored to your specific interests and will include viewing (and possibly handling) artefacts connected to your favourite players and teams. For the cricket-mad people in your life, this is the ultimate gift.

Tours are led by one of our expert Tour guides who will take you to places not usually open to the public to ensure that you have a truly memorable day.

KEY INFORMATION

Duration: 2 hours Cost: £345.00 for up to five persons

This truly special experience provides a glimpse into the world of cricket legends, allowing you to create lasting memories and become a part of the storied legacy at Lord’s.

You will be treated to the following.

• Indulge in a champagne reception on the famous Dressing Room Balcony
• Enjoy a private behind-the-scenes tour guided by an MCC Tour Guide
• Participate in an exclusive handling and photo session of priceless objects and artifacts in the Museum, including items such as Ganguly's shirt, Dhoni's wicket-keeping gloves, Kohli's shoes, Mithali Raj's World Cup shirt, and more.
• Arguably, the highlight of the experience, to get your hands on the first world cup Prudential Trophy lifted by Kapil Dev in 1983 when India won the world cup for the first time.
• A visit to the Archives to view famous Indian items. Photo opportunity under the futuristic Media Centre, set against the backdrop of the Pavilion.
• Cement your place in history at Lord’s by owning a personalised plaque on the iconic Father Time Wall (Installation in spring 2024)
• Receive a replica plaque packaged in an MCC box, along with a personal card, delivered to your home address.

Key Information

• Duration of the experience: 2.5 hours
• Personalized plaque: 1 x Supporter plaque, regular, standard position (size-161mm x 60mm)
• Inscription- 3 x lines of text, 14 characters* per line
• A detailed email will be sent following the purchase explaining information and requirements for your personalized plaque.
• Cost: £1,375.00 for up to five persons

Tours switchboard: 020 7616 8595

Area Closure

For more information on Closures please visit our dedicated Tour Closures page.

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Taylor Swift Adds 3 Opening Acts to London Eras Tour Shows: 'I Chose Artists Whose Music I Love Listening to'

On Monday, May 27, the pop megastar announced that she would be adding three opening acts to her Wembley Stadium shows in June

The Eras Tour just got even better!

On Monday, May 27, Taylor Swift announced on her Instagram Stories that she would be adding three opening acts to her Wembley Stadium Eras Tour shows in London — Mette on Friday, June 21, Griff on Saturday, June 22 and Benson Boone on Sunday, June 23.

"I just found out Fortnight is #1 on the UK airplay chart!!!!" the "Cruel Summer" artist, 34, said alongside an Eras Tour poster. "Thought this might be a fun time to announce the first group of opening acts I'll be adding to the London shows, going on before Paramore . I chose artists whose music I love listening to, and I can't wait for them to add an extra jolt of excitement to our shows."

Related: Taylor Swift Pens Heartfelt Note to Portugal After 2 Sold-Out Eras Tour Shows in Lisbon: 'Muito Obrigada'

Her new opening acts all replied to the news with excitement on social media.

"It’s a new ERA for ya girl… Opening the “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” on June 21st at Wembley Stadium in London. Thank you @taylorswift13 - Never been so excited in my entire life!!! #TSTheErasTour ," wrote the "DARLING DRIVE" artist, 32, on social media alongside the tour poster.

The "Vertigo" performer, 23, shared a photo of the tour poster and a shot of her and Swift eating French fries together at the 2021 BRITs on social media : "TAYLOR SWIFT HAS INVITED ME ON THE ERAS TOUR!!!!!! 8 yr old me who had fearless on repeat wouldn’t believe this. So unbelievably grateful to Taylor for all the love she’s shown me and my music. See you at Wembley on June 22nd. Ly 📷 📷 📷 #TSTheErasTour ."

Swift previously gave Griff a shout-out in September 2023 on her Instagram Story, writing “Damn Griff I love this one,” as she shared her single "Vertigo."

“Her popping up the other week and posting ‘Vertigo’ is the most crazy thing because it's like — she never posts and she really doesn't have to do that. So it's really kind of her to be so generous with promoting that,” she told PEOPLE. “It's really cool.”

After she saw the post, Griff thought “What the f---?” and then, “How do I even thank her?”

The "Miss Me Too" singer said that while they don't "have a constant point of contact," Swift has become "this fairy godmother that pops up and makes things amazing for me."

The "Slow It Down" musician, 21, reshared the 14-time Grammy winner's Instagram Stories with the caption, "@taylorswift so excited to be a part of the show thank you for having me 😭❤️."

Related: Griff Talks Writing Vertigo Vol. 1 and the Special Shoutout from Her 'Fairy Godmother' Taylor Swift (Exclusive)

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Swift is currently in the midst of the European leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed in Paris, Stockholm and Lisbon.

Next, she'll be performing in Madrid before heading to the U.K. and Dublin in late June.

Swift plays Wembley for eight shows in London: June 21 to June 23 and Aug. 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20.

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Read the original article on People .

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Taylor Swift ‘s Eras Tour is expanding. The multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has announced three opening acts she has added to her Wembley Stadium Eras Tour shows in London — Mette on Friday, June 21, Griff on Saturday, June 22 and Benson Boone on Sunday, June 23.

Mette thanked Swift on X (fka Twitter). “It’s a new ERA for ya girl… Opening the “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” on June 21st at Wembley Stadium in London. Thank you  @taylorswift13  – Never been so excited in my entire life!!!  #TSTheErasTour ,” she wrote alongside the Eras Tour poster.

Benson Boone shared Swift’s Instagram Stories with the caption “@taylorswift so excited to be a part of the show thank you for having me 😭❤️.”

Swift is currently performing in Europe on her Eras Tour, most recently in Paris, Stockholm and Lisbon. She next heads to Madrid, followed by the UK and Dublin.

Swift’s Wembley shows run from June 21 to June 23, and August 15-20.

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Liberty University remembers longtime supporter and Board Member Emeritus Duke Westover

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May 22, 2024 : By Office of Communications & Public Engagement

Westover faithfully served many of the ministries started by his close friend and Liberty’s founder, Jerry Falwell, Sr. Through his construction business, he built two iconic structures, the Vines Center and the sanctuary of the original Thomas Road Baptist Church on Thomas Road.

“On behalf of Liberty University, please join me in praying for Carlene, Kim, and the entire Westover family. Duke was a remarkable man whose life and ministry made an impact all around the world. He was one of my dad’s best friends for nearly 40 years. In the early days of Thomas Road and Liberty Baptist College, wherever my dad went Duke was there also,” said Liberty Chancellor Jonathan Falwell. “Duke will be missed but never forgotten, his legacy lives on. I am grateful to know that he is now in the presence of our Lord and that he has been reunited with so many friends.”

“Liberty would not be the university that it is today, without the faithful friendship of Duke Westover. For so many of us, Duke was a servant and an encourager whose footprints closely followed Dr. Falwell,” said Liberty Board of Trustees Chairman Tim Lee. “Duke devoted his life to following Christ and for many of us, he was our personal guide to Israel and the holy land. He was even recognized by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism in 2016 for his lifetime achievement. I will always be grateful for Duke Westover.”

Westover spent several years as an executive assistant and personal advisor to Falwell. In 2010, he published the book “WOW! What a Ride,” detailing his personal relationship with Falwell.

Westover had served as a member of the Liberty University Board of Trustees since 2016, where he oversaw enormous growth for the university. The board recently voted him Board Member Emeritus.

Westover is well known for the touring business he founded, DuCar International Tours, which has been responsible for taking thousands of individuals on guided tours in Israel, including many Liberty students, faculty, and staff, as well as multiple major political figures and media personalities.

Prior to his work in construction, Westover served in the Naval Reserves and worked in the mechanical engineering and sheet metal industries.

He is survived by Carlene, his wife of 70 years, and daughter, Kim.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Thomas Road Baptist Church, 1 Mountain View Road.

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Taylor Swift's Squad Assembles for Her Madrid Show

By Kase Wickman

The squad has assembled, this time in Madrid. Taylor Swift ’s friends and frequent dinner companions Blake Lively and Haims Este, Alana, and Danielle were spotted dancing in the audience at Swift’s Eras Tour stopover in Madrid on Wednesday night.

The group braved the crowds for the first of Swift’s two-night run at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, making good on Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds’ promise earlier this month that he and Lively would be attending.

Reynolds appeared on Today with Hoda and Jenna earlier in May to promote his new movie If , where he admitted that though he hadn’t yet seen what he dubbed “the best concert on planet Earth,” Lively and some configuration of the couple’s four children have been to “five or six” of the performances already.

“They love it, they’re obsessed,” he said.

The group including Lively and the Haim sisters were seen dancing energetically throughout the show. In the segment of the concert reserved for “surprise songs,” Swift played two mashup arrangements of her own songs, beginning by combining “Sparks Fly” with “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”, then “Snow on the Beach” with “I Look In People’s Windows.” A stage cue during the latter led the crowd to believe that a surprise guest performer may be joining Swift mid-song—say, “Snow on the Beach” featured artist Lana del Rey ?—but, as Swift said apologetically to the shrieking crowd, “It’s just me, guys, sorry!”

Lively and Reynolds are close friends of Swift’s, and Lively notably joined the singer in the VIP box at this year’s Super Bowl to watch Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs clinch their second-straight title. The Haims, too, have stepped out on the town with Swift, like when they joined her and Sophie Turner for dinner in New York City in the midst of Turner’s divorce drama with Joe Jonas in September 2023.

Of course, the Madrid show would have been the perfect opportunity for Swift to somehow reveal the name of Lively and Reynolds’s fourth child , who was born sometime early this year , and whose name and sex remain a mystery to the public. Swift’s Folklore track “Betty” served as a sneaky name reveal of the couple’s third child back in 2020, when lyrics featured references to a “James” and “Inez”—the two elder offspring—and then “Betty” completing the set.

In that same appearance on Today , Reynolds joked that “we always wait for Taylor to tell us what the child's name is.” Baby No. 4’s name, however, does not appear on Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department . “I’ll say this: We’re still waiting,” Reynolds joked.

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Luke Combs is coming to Phoenix. So is the traffic. How to minimize the aggravation

Like Metallica and Taylor Swift before him, country superstar Luke Combs is popular enough to need two nights at State Farm Stadium to meet demand for tickets to his Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.

The two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year will play 25 U.S. stadium shows this year, including  two in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1.

And he’s bringing in completely different slates of special guests each night.

Friday's concert features Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin, Hailey Whitters and the Wilder Blue. Saturday's concert finds him joined by Jordan Davis, Drew Parker and Colby Acuff.

State Farm Stadium concert capacity

When Swift launched the Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium in April 2023, more 69,000 people attended the opening night . And Metallica drew more than 133,000 over the course of two concerts.

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That’s a lot of people headed to the same place at the same time, which means you will be dealing with traffic as you inch your way along the roads to State Farm Stadium.

This is especially true if you’re timing your arrival to when Combs is just about to hit the stage, avoiding the opening acts and the price of dinner at a stadium.

This is how bottlenecks happen.

If you're going Friday, you're creeping through rush hour traffic. Saturday, you've got road closures slowing you down. Here are ways to manage the traffic stress of driving to State Farm Stadium.

The earlier you get to State Farm Stadium for Luke Combs, the better

Get there as early as you can. Parking lots open at 3 p.m. Doors open at 4 and the concert is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.  

When the Rolling Stones played the stadium in early May, we spoke to Moroni Mendez, a public information officer with the Glendale Police Department.

“Our advice would be to try to get there early so that you can beat the traffic or do anything you can to avoid being stuck in all that congestion,” Mendez said.

Tony Abbo, a city traffic engineer for Glendale, says to expect congestion on the freeways as well as Glendale Avenue and Cardinals Way.

Tailgate party at Luke Combs State Farm Stadium concert

If you get there early, there are things to do.

Heritage at Sportsman’s Park, on the Great Lawn outside State Farm Stadium, will host a two-night tailgate party with live music, specialty drinks and dishes to get the crowd excited.

Friday, May 31:  From 3-7 p.m., enjoy $8 margaritas and items ranging from homemade pizza to pulled pork sandwiches.

Saturday, June 1: The official Luke Combs Bootlegger Tailgate Party promises live music from up-and-coming artists selected by Combs and Whiskey Jam. Fans can also take advantage of the early access merch sale.

For more info, go to www.heritageatsportsmanspark.com .

And if you're not the tailgate type? As Abbo says, "There’s a lot around the Westgate area that you can enjoy before the concert."

Four opening acts is working in your favor

The fact that the first of four opening acts will take the stage at 5:40 p.m. and Combs isn't scheduled to start until 9 p.m. is definitely working in your favor.

"When you have four acts and the main act doesn’t take the stage until later on in the evening, we have more of an even distribution of traffic for a longer period, versus when there’s only one act or a football game where everybody starts coming in between two hours before and one hour before," Abbo says.

"This one is more spread out."

Phoenix road closures before the Luke Combs concert

The Arizona Department of Transportation has issued a weekend freeway travel advisory for Friday, May 31-Monday, June 3, that may affect your travel time to State Farm Stadium.

Here's what you're up against:

• Interstate 17 southbound will be closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday. I-17 southbound on-ramps at Pioneer Road, State Route 74/Carefree Highway and Dove Valley Road will be closed. Use the posted detour route on westbound Loop 303 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and eastbound Happy Valley Road to reach I-17. Or consider staying on Loop 303 southbound to I-10 eastbound in Goodyear to travel toward Phoenix. Avoid using local streets including southbound North Valley Parkway. 
•  I-10 westbound will be closed between U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) and the I-17 ("Split" interchange) from 10 p.m. Friday-4 a.m. Monday. State Route 143 northbound will be closed between Broadway Road and Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). U.S. 60 westbound on-ramps at McClintock Drive, Rural Road and Mill Avenue will be closed. Consider using U.S. 60 eastbound to Loop 101 (Price Freeway) and Loop 202 westbound (Red Mountain Freeway) to reach SR 143 or I-10 beyond the closure. Details:  i10BroadwayCurve.com .
• Loop 101 northbound  (Price Freeway) will be closed between Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Warner Road in Chandler from 9 p.m. Friday-5 a.m. Monday. Loop 202 ramps to Loop 101 northbound will be closed. Consider detouring via U.S. 60 or using northbound Dobson Road or McClintock Drive to travel beyond the closure.
• Loop 202 southbound  (South Mountain Freeway) will be closed from 9 p.m. Saturday-5 a.m. Sunday between I-10 and Van Buren Street in the West Valley. Traffic will detour along southbound 59th Avenue.

Figure out your parking for the Luke Combs concert in advance

Mendez recommended visiting statefarmstadium.com to figure out the parking situation in advance.

“I always try to tell people to try to research ahead of time just so that they know approximately which area they want to park and what route is best to take,” he said.

This map should help.

Follows signs directing traffic outside State Farm Stadium

Roadways will be closed as you approach the stadium with traffic barriers and signs directing cars to go a certain way.

“It’s kind of hard to guess or know ahead of time how the roads are going to be set up,” Mendez said. “That’s why we advise people to try to get there earlier so they can try to beat the rush.”

General parking (blue) access points are available via Glendale Avenue or Cardinals Way from Loop 101 and from surface streets, including 91st and 99th avenues. Follow the guidance from message boards and parking staff.

Stadium staff will direct vehicles into lots according to capacity and traffic flow. Follow the instructions from Glendale police and stadium parking staff.

“When entering the entertainment district, just pay attention to traffic signs directing cars and obviously drive with caution,” Mendez said. “There’s going to be a lot of traffic, a lot of vehicles. Maybe you can focus on the driving and have a passenger available to keep an eye out and kind of lead you.”

The stadium will provide updates on Instagram , Facebook and X .

Use the Waze app for State Farm Stadium parking info

Road closures around the stadium will be included in the Waze app both days.

Fans with Red Preferred Parking can search Waze for Red Lot - State Farm Stadium for navigation to the Red Preferred entry. 

Fans using general parking can arrive from any direction to be guided into the closest available lot.

Have your parking ticket QR code ready to scan

Traffic will move faster if you upload your parking permit QR code in advance and have it open on your phone for the parking attendant to scan. 

Taking Lyft or Uber to State Farm Stadium

Mendez also recommended using Lyft or Uber.

“If you use rideshare, you don’t have to worry about the driving,” he said. “And it’s maybe a little simpler as far as being dropped off and not having to worry about finding a parking space.”

The drop-off and pick-up area is south of the stadium in the Black Lot.

Abbo recommends carpooling as well.

"It manages congestion a lot better when more people are packed into a single vehicle, he says.

Be mindful of pedestrians

As you approach the stadium, be mindful of pedestrians.

"There will a lot of pedestrians walking along the perimeter of the stadium so take your time and be cognizant of not only the other vehicles, but the pedestrians and workers out there, also Glendale police," Abbo says. "There’s a lot of personnel managing this event, so be vigilant, drive slowly and be patient."

State Farm Stadium bag policy for concerts

Mendez also suggested reviewing the stadium’s clear bag policy and the list of prohibited items, both of which you can find in  our ultimate guide to Luke Combs at State Farm Stadium,  before you head into the concert.

“There are lockers, but they fill up quickly,” Mendez said. “So just avoid the things that are not allowed in the stadium.”

That being said, he added, be careful about leaving valuables in your car.

“When it comes to stealing or taking things out of vehicles, a lot of times these criminals seek crimes of opportunity,” he said. “And what I mean by that is unsecured vehicles, objects in plain sight, things like that.”

Don't drink and drive

Mendez encouraged fans who like to drink to have a plan in place for getting home.

“Obviously with any event like this, there’s gonna be drinking,” he said. “It’s not worth it to even question if you’re good enough to drive or not. Just don’t do it. Make those plans to get home safely, whether it’s using rideshare or taxi services or even just having a designated driver.”

Traffic after the Luke Combs concert

There will, of course, be traffic after the concert as well, with so many people leaving State Farm Stadium at the same time.

"We try to get everybody out and our track record is good," Abbo says. "At most events, the egress is done within an hour, so we have an efficient way of getting everybody out of the area."

Reach the reporter at  [email protected]  or 602-444-4495. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter)  @EdMasley .

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Tennis crowds and etiquette: How should fans behave and how should players react?

Let’s start with the brass band.

That’s what caught Ben Shelton off guard when he walked onto court Sunday to face Hugo Gaston of France. The venue was Court 14: a sunken stage that can very quickly become a suffocating cauldron of noise and mayhem when the opponent is a native son.

“This is the first time that I’ve come out to a tennis match and had a band playing in the stands on my court,” said Shelton. Shelton, the 15th seed at this year’s French Open, is no stranger to rowdy crowds; he played two years of college tennis at the University of Florida. Away matches at Kentucky Tennessee and Georgia were especially nasty, he said.

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“You play in the SEC (Southeastern Conference) all bets are off.”  

If the bets are off on campus, then at Roland Garros, they’re somewhere in the Seine. All match long, the band played on, a bass drum thumping and summoning the rhythmic clapping, the trumpets and horns tooting and rousing the standing-room-only crowd of thousands to its feet to shake Shelton into as many faults and errors as it could.

This is how tennis rolls at the French Open, turning a genteel sport known for its etiquette-obsessed fans into the frenzies of soccer matches. 

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The lords of Wimbledon would have none of it, and the All England Club has long set the standards for much of the sport. But these are two of just a handful of weeks during the tennis season when a tournament reminds a sport that it does not have to abide by the norms of Victorian-era Great Britain.

Players and fans alike might enjoy themselves a tad more.   

What's the one thing you would change about tennis?

“T hey’re really into it and I felt like they really love tennis,” said Denis Shapovalov, a Canadian who got similar treatment later that evening when he took on France’s Luca Van Assche a few hours later on the same court. Shapovalov, a massive Toronto Maple Leafs fan, is no stranger to the boozy and brazen throngs at sporting events — just not the ones he’s playing in.

“Pretty fun as a tennis player, even though it was against me.”

After a series of pressure-cooker clashes in the early rounds, tennis players and fans are being forced to re-engage with the current rules of the game. At its best, tennis is a sport that inspires uncontrollable emotions, from awe and ecstasy to desolation and pain. Fans going through those emotions are expected not to show them — at least until a point is over — and even then, not to show them too much.

Lines do get crossed and in Paris, players not from France bear the brunt. Belgium’s David Goffin was plenty salty after his five-set win over France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday night, taunting the crowd with a cupped ear for mere seconds after it spent more than three and a half hours taunting him.

The Parisians have form. Taylor Fritz ran around the court with his finger on his lips after toppling Arthur Rinderknech of France last year, screaming, inaudibly beneath the din of boos, that he wanted them to “let me hear it!”

Goffin was a little more unnerved.

“It goes too far, it’s total disrespect,” the mild-mannered Belgian told reporters from his country following the match. He claimed a fan had spit gum at him.

“ Soon there will be smoke bombs, hooligans and fights in the stands.” He compared that behaviour to that of soccer fans — the implication that it simply has no place in tennis. 

World No 1 Iga Swiatek then gently scolded the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd on Wednesday for making noise in the middle of points as she prevailed in three sets over Naomi Osaka in a gripping duel.

How should a world No 1 be? Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka have an idea

Swiatek understands the enthusiasm of the French crowds, she said, but there is decorum in tennis, an expectation of silence in the audience, though plenty of her peers, namely Frances Tiafoe, think that concept should have gone away long ago. Reading between the lines, Swiatek, though addressing the topic in general, was only really talking about one point: as she moved on to a regulation drive forehand volley deep in the third set against Osaka, someone screamed out as she addressed the ball. She missed the volley.

If tennis players were constantly exposed to noises of varying pitch and intensity, mapped to the contours of their rallies — just like in almost every other sport — this kind of thing wouldn’t be a problem.

When a gasp emerges from a vacuum, it is much more jarring.

“I just wanted to point out that it’s not easy for us,” Swiatek said. “French crowds can be kind of harsh, so I don’t want to be under the radar right now. I don’t know if that was a good decision or not, but I hope they can treat me as a human.”

This has all caused quite the stir at the French Open, and tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said Thursday that she would no longer permit spectators to drink alcohol in the stands. Umpires and security officials have been put on alert to snuff out unruly behavior.

But fans getting emotional in the middle of a point, as long as it’s not intentionally done to put off a specific player, is not a punishable offense.

“If you throw something at a player, that’s black and white, you’re out,” Mauresmo said. “Expressing emotions, during a point, isn’t the same thing.”

Given the singular nature of the French Open, it’s also hard to tell whether all this is a genuine referendum on the nature of spectatorship, or more of an occupational hazard of being in the City of Light for a fortnight. Home advantage is as old as sports and warfare, and there is something inherently unfair about it in tennis. Players from only four countries — Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States — can experience a home-court advantage in the Grand Slams, the most important events in the sport.

Everyone else has to make do with the extra oomph of a home crowd ( and its proven effects on umpires and referees ) at tournaments that don’t mean nearly as much and offer far less prize money. The circumstances at this year’s tournament are also a little strange.

Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev and Swiatek vs Osaka aren’t your typical first- and second-round matches; they’re the kinds of occasions fans are used to seeing in semi-finals and finals, when the jeopardy is at its peak and emotions run highest. When Andy Murray won his first Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic in 2013, the entire Centre Court crowd let out a pealing screech on match point, when Djokovic’s first ball flew high and deep in the air, and an awed gasp when it landed not out, but in. He sent the ball back to Murray. Murray returned the favor.

Djokovic put the next ball in the net.

The venue exploded.

Petar Popovic, the coach of Corentin Moutet, put house money into full effect for a first-round match against Nicolas Jarry, a powerful Chilean coming off a run to the final in Rome. In February, a partisan crowd in Chile, where they do rowdy tennis as well as anyone, had made life fairly miserable for Moutet. Popovic told the press he wanted the French crowd to exact some revenge. And they did, razzing Jarry for every fault and error, breaking his concentration and his spirit, turning Court Simonne-Mathieu into a Roman amphitheatre. Moutet prevailed in four sets, including 6-0 in the last.

This rousing support can also only do so much. The last French woman to win the French Open was Mary Pierce in 2000. A French man hasn’t won since Yannick Noah in 1983. Other players are simply better.

Let’s get back to the band. 

They are part of La Banda Paname, a collection of roughly 50 musicians who provide spirit and entertainment at various sports events throughout the region. BNP Paribas, the international bank that is one of the biggest sponsors of tennis and the French Open, has them on the payroll here, under the name “We Are Tennis”. They are decked out in all white, with matching logoed polo shirts. 

“We started at Queen’s Club for the Davis Cup against Great Britain in 2015,” said Vincent Raymond, who was part of the five-man crew on Tuesday.

“Andy Murray punished us.”

Raymond was joined by bandmates, Julian, Brice, Nicholas and Yohann: two trumpets, drums, a trombone, a flugabone, and an emcee/conductor. Their mandate, he said, is to create noise, support France and support the sport. They have seats reserved all over the grounds, so they can bounce from court to court.

The way it’s been going for French tennis, that means going wherever France needs them during the first week. Generally, the French players are out of the tournament after that. “Then we shift our strategy,” Raymond said. “We want to provide a fair play atmosphere. It’s tennis after all. The key is to stop playing before the umpire says no more.”

The band, however, can only control what they can control. Once they get the crowd going, all bets are off, especially on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the 10,000-seat gem of an arena, where Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry took on Arthur Cazaux, the rising 21-year-old Frenchman in the first round. 

Cazaux won the first set in a hurry then fell off a cliff, losing the next two. He was still getting pounded midway through the third, down a service break and seemingly minutes from defeat. His shoulders slumped, his legs dragged. 

Then, as Cazaux, came back out onto the court after a change-over, the crowd grew louder than it had been all day, with plenty of help from that band. A collection of Cazaux’s friends, seated just above the back of the court, traded chants and arm pumps with fans on the other side of the stadium, like they had been practicing for months. 

Etcheverry took a few deep breaths, and served.

More chants. More screams. A brief chorus.

Another fault.

Within minutes, the crowd had manifested a break for Cazaux. He couldn’t hold his serve, so they manifested another for him. 

“I had a second breath due to the crowd, so thanks to them,” Cazaux said later. “I love this kind of atmosphere.”

Then that refrain: “It’s like a football match.”

Etcheverry said the atmosphere was as tough as it gets.

“ I play a lot of times against French guys,” he said. “It’s tough, every moment.”

Alas, it was not tough enough. Cazaux fell in four sets, the crowd screaming until the dying moment, and then for a few more after. 

The band checked the schedule, and moved to another court.

(Top photo: AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

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Matthew Futterman is an award-winning veteran sports journalist and the author of two books, “Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed” and “Players: How Sports Became a Business.”Before coming to The Athletic in 2023, he worked for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Star-Ledger of New Jersey and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is currently writing a book about tennis, "The Cruelest Game: Agony, Ecstasy and Near Death Experiences on the Pro Tennis Tour," to be published by Doubleday in 2026. Follow Matthew on Twitter @ mattfutterman