Birmingham City Football Club is improving the matchday experience for junior supporters with the introduction of sensory packs.

The free-of-charge bags are designed to make home games at St. Andrew’s more comfortable and enjoyable for supporters who may find the atmosphere at live football more challenging, particularly those with autism. The packs include a Blues-branded drawstring bag, a fidget spinner, a stress ball, earplugs, a pen and a gameday bingo card.

Each item has been included following consultation with the club’s equality, diversity and inclusion advisory group, which is made up of independent supporters and community figures.

Sensory toys like the ones included in the new Blues bag can help supporters with autism to relax, focus and remain calm in a busy setting, and therefore provide a more stress-free day out.

The launch of the sensory packs coincides with the Football Association-backed Unite for Access for Access campaign, which is led by Level Playing Field every March. Alongside the packs, the club will be carrying out a number of independent audits to build a robust strategy for improving the matchday experience for disabled fans.

Blues supporters will be able to pre-book their sensory packs for upcoming games, with more information on the booking process available here.

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