OLSC TORONTO
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions.
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OLSC is an acronym for Official Liverpool Supporters Club. Liverpool Football Club has over 300 Official LFC Supporters Clubs (OLSCs) in over 90 countries worldwide. Each local club must apply to LFC for review and approval before becoming a sanctioned chapter, which OLSC Toronto is.
OLSCs provide a valuable service to loyal Liverpool Football Club supporters living in the local area. The Supporters Clubs also provide an excellent way of meeting fellow supporters devoted to following Liverpool Football Club, wherever they live in the world.
Official LFC Supporters Clubs are closely affiliated to Liverpool Football Club and enjoy a close working relationship with the Liverpool Football Club.
Member-First Access is a benefit awarded to our Premium Members in a given year.
This can include exclusive or early access to events organized by OLSC Toronto. These are most often seen for events such as LFC Legend visits to our pub, social events (boat cruise, holiday party), or our Red Day Events. Sometimes, this early access is available for a reduced fee (where fees are applicable).
When such benefits are offered, unless otherwise stated, guests who do not have the Premium Membership will not be able to participate or be allowed to enter the event at the same time.
Example: If you the Member-First Access benefit is early access to the pub for a Red Day Event, only those holding the Premium Member card may enter (Exception: Kid Members with a valid Premium Membership holder). If your guests do not have Premium Memberships, they must wait till the General Membership entry time.
Example: If the Member-First Access benefit is first-access or a reduced price to our annual Holiday Party, all ticket purchases must hold the Premium Membership or a non-member ticket must be purchased when available.
Exceptions apply in some cases, at which point we’ll communicate the updated rules on our social media, Events page, and weekly member newsletter.
No, there are no fees charged to enter the pub to watch a match with other LFC fans. However, we do offer free (General) and paid (Premium) memberships that offer value that you may wish to consider before coming down. Memberships are not required (but have benefits). See the membership perks section for more on this.
NOTE: Every match (across all tournaments) – excluding pre-season games – is screened at our official supporter’s pubs.
All tables are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
RED DAY EVENTS @ LFC Toronto Pubs
Throughout the year, several matches are designed as “Red Day Events.” These are often high-interest matches that we know will draw a beyond-capacity crowd, such as Derbies, Cup semi-finals or finals, matches against key rivals, etc.
Please note that for any of our games, reservations are not taken. Also, fees or membership are NOT required to come to watch these games – all our games will always be available to anyone who wishes to come down to the pub(s). However, for Red Day Events, our Premium Members receive an Early Access benefit as outlined below.
Members and non-members, please read the full description of our Red Day entry policy before coming to our matches.
- “Member First Access” is a benefit awarded to Premium Members for Red Day – designated matches. These members get to enter the pub 1.5 hours ahead of kick off. If space permits, General Members and the general public may enter the pub (typically) 30 minutes prior to kick off.
- IMPORTANT: Always check our Events Page and social media posts a few days ahead of the match for specifics before the game. Depending on the time of year, the game, or other factors beyond our control, these times and rules may change. We will always update the Events page with up to date information.
- Please note that for many of these matches, a queue forms outside the pub in advance of the stated opening time. Sometimes the queue begins to form hours in advance of opening, other times it’s only 20 minutes ahead; we never know and cannot answer inquires about “what time to queue” before a game.
- IMPORTANT: Entry is NOT guaranteed irrespective of your membership status. We open the doors at the prescribed time for Premium Members and then General Members/the public, and it’s always first-come, first-served from there.
- Please read our Code of Conduct before attending any event. These rules are strictly enforced.
FOR ELEPHANT & CASTLE
- Due to the popularity of these games, at Elephant & Castle, there are two queues ahead of Red Day matches. When facing the pub, a queue for General Members will be to the left of the main King St. Door. The queue for Premium Members will be to the right of the King St. door and move along Simcoe St. Please see the image below for clarity.
- For Red Day-designated events, the side door on Simcoe St will remain closed before and during the game. Please do not queue at this door.
- OLSC Toronto is not responsible if someone has queued in the wrong section.
- Our club’s Code of Conduct extends to behaviour outside the pub and in these queues.
- Often, these games also include a notice of “Wristband Policy in Effect,” which means that wristbands will be issued on entry and only those with wristbands will be allowed to enter/re-enter the pub during the match. Further, to manage traffic, improve service, and keep in compliance with fire code regulations, we will issue different colour wristbands for different sections of the pub.
- When the pub has hit capacity, wristbands will no longer be handed out and the pub(s) will be closed to additional visitors – members or not. Please follow instructions and be kind to our volunteers. If in doubt, we encourage you to come to the pub well in advance of opening times.
AT THE SLYE FOX
- Only one queue exists for this pub; however, early entry is still granted to Premium Members on Red Day-designated events. Non-Members or General Members will be asked to stay in queue outside till the designated time.
- Please follow instructions by our volunteers at the door.
We understand that for some games, despite screening matches at two pubs with large capacities, we can still run out of space. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes, because of fire code regulations, our pub management must deny entry to fans wishing to attend some of our “bigger matches.” We are working on additional pubs to help accommodate our growing fan base and the demand for LFC matches. It’s not always easy due to the fact that we’re managed by volunteers – not paid staff – and it’s incredibly difficult to run events across multiple pubs. That said, we are working on solutions and will update everyone as soon as we have more news to share on this front.
Thanks for your patience and support.
YNWA
The OLSC Toronto Executive Committee
Every match (across all tournaments) – excluding pre-season games – is screened at our official supporter’s pubs.
Reservations are not required. No reservations are accepted or honoured for areas designated for LFC Supporters in our pubs. All tables are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Memberships are not required (but have benefits). See the membership perks section for more on this.
NOTE: See also, “Red Day Events” in this FAQ for “Member-First Access” benefit for big matches.
LFC Toronto has two home pubs for each broadcasted match:
Toronto Downtown: The Elephant & Castle on King and Simcoe Streets
Toronto West: Slye Fox on New Street in Burlington.
To accommodate the extraordinarily large Liverpool FC fan base in the Greater Toronto area, we’re currently seeking additional permanent home pubs and “overflow pubs” for big games/finals. If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to be a LFC Toronto pub, please contact us here.
Unfortunately, OLSC Toronto is only allocated tickets via Liverpool FC for each half of the season – for up to 6 Home English Premier League games overall. (We are not allocated European games, Cup games, or Away games). Details on how to request tickets for those games are here..
- In terms of resellers, it’s illegal to buy and sell football tickets in the UK. As an official supporters club, we would recommend you avoid this route, *especially* once in the UK. If you do choose to purchase these online before you travel to the UK, please exercise caution.
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Hospitality packages which can be quite costly, are another avenue you can check.
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Some of our members have connections to occasionally get tickets — these are fostered through relationships and is one of the many benefits of being part of the growing OLSC Toronto community.
Best of luck, YNWA!
OLSC Toronto is allocated tickets via Liverpool FC. NOTE: There are NO allocations for European games, Cup games, or any Away games.
For full details on the Match Ticket Request process, visit the Match Tickets page.
From time to time, OLSC Toronto offers fan merchandise, such as Official LFC Toronto fan scarves, special footy tees, hats, mugs, etc. Revenue from these sales supports our club’s operations and annual charity support.
This merchandise can only be purchased at one of our official supporters’ pubs on matchday.
Please find a member of the OLSC Toronto Executive team or a volunteer (usually wearing a name tag). You can purchase them using cash or by sending an EMT to payment@lfctoronto.com (please include the item being purchased in the note section). Sorry, online sales are not available for LFC Toronto specific merchandise.
Official Liverpool FC gear may be purchased locally at our Soccer World Central (online or instore). All LFC swag and footy equipment is available at a special discount for LFC Toronto members. Please have your current digital membership card available when purchasing.
OLSC Toronto Premium Members receive many benefits, including access to allotted tickets at Anfield, discounts to exclusive swag, food, etc., complimentary or discounted tickets to member events, pre-reservation at our home pubs for Cup finals (when seating is often limited due to volume of people), and more! See our Member Perks page or review our Events and Blog pages.
Those are the physical perks but the real value is in the connections, friendships, and memories made with fellow Reds across the GTA!
The easiest way is to become a member online! It’s easy and fast!
You’ll need to create an account on our website by completing the membership registration form. Choose your membership level here.
Once you’ve completed the checkout you will receive a confirmation email (check spam or junk folder if you don’t see it), and have access to your digital member card immediately.
Yes! We’re proud that our fans have made our matches a family affair, creating new traditions of breakfast and a footy match part of their weekend activities. We often see kids and families at the games, especially on weekends. Check out our memberships page for more info on our Lil’ Reds Free Membership.
We have a member and visitor Code of Conduct that we expect all to abide by. And, part of our mission is to provide a family-friendly and inclusive experience for all fans. That said, we do screen matches at pubs. And while most games happen at times when it’s just our members in the pub, it’s still a pub. Please use your discretion when deciding to bring children.
Liverpool FC provides the option for OLSC Toronto to request Anfield tickets twice each season – one at season kickoff, and another around December. Each block of tickets can include one or more games and any number of seats. That said, there are (heavy) restrictions on which matches are in those blocks and how many tickets are in them. Furthermore, we cannot apply for games we have had in the previous season. OLSC Toronto does its best to navigate the rules and obtain as many tickets on behalf of its members as possible. Liverpool FC does NOT GUARANTEE that an OLSC will receive any tickets in their allocation. Selection depends on many criteria, including the status of the OLSC, compliance with OLSC operating rules, size (and participation) of the OLSC, acceptance of past tickets allocated, etc. A reminder that the tickets available for us to bid on are for Premier League, Anfield home games only.
When we receive notification that ticket allocations have been granted to us, we alert Premium members via our normal communication channels (E.g., our member newsletter, social media, etc.). Members submit requests for the games they want, and if requests exceed supply, we run a draw using a randomization program.
Only Premium Members of OLSC Toronto (and their registered Kid Members) who live in the GTA may request. You may request up to 4 tickets for a match, and for all the games in the available block. All adults must be Premium Members of OLSC Toronto.
While you may apply for more than one game available in any block of tickets, only ONE game can be allocated per member in each block. That helps us spread the opportunity across more members. Do not apply multiple times for the same game within the block or all entries will be disqualified.
If you are applying for more than one person, you must include all the names and #s for everyone in the request form. E.g., if you request 3 tickets, you must include the names of everyone you’re requesting tickets for. These are the people, if your request is successful, who will be issued electronic tickets. Once a ticket is allocated to you, you cannot transfer it to someone else, locally or otherwise.
According to LFC guidelines, all members who request tickets must live in the Greater Toronto area (our OLSC’s territory). We cannot provide tickets to non-area residents, so please do not request tickets for your family or friends who do not live here. Tickets allocated to non-GTA residents will be taken back and reallocated to official Members.
If ticket requests don’t exceed the number of tickets provided in our allocation, all valid requests (that meet the rules outlined) are granted tickets. For Toronto, this is rare. When more valid requests are submitted than available tickets (usually the case), we utilize an independent randomization program to determine who is assigned the tickets. We never pick manually.
The randomization software gives every requesting member an entry into the ballot. When selecting members, the algorithm considers factors such as which members have already received tickets in the last year, the completeness/validity of the request form, the length of time someone has been a member, etc. The program has been designed to make the selection draw independent, to give all fans the best chance to benefit from their Premium Membership, and to recognize and reward fans who have been Premium Members consistently over the years. ”
If you have any questions about this process, please email YNWA@lfctoronto.com
Tickets are face value – usually between C$90–100, depending on exchange rates. And per LFC’s rules, they can’t be transferred or exchanged. Please only request if you’re sure you can make the trip. If assigned tickets are not accepted, our ability to get tickets in the future is negatively affected, and it causes our volunteer Executive team a lot of trouble.
Successful requestors get an individual email confirming their allocation by the date we communicated when the request window opened. If you don’t hear from us by that date, unfortunately, it means you weren’t successful this time. When you receive an email notifying you of a successful bid, you will be asked to provide some additional information and have a limited time period to pay for your tickets. Digital tickets are sent to OLSC Toronto (usually) a week or so before the match. We will forward them to you at that time. We have no control over what seats are allocated or when we receive the tickets; however, they are typically grouped with other Toronto members.
A membership fee is not required to attend watch parties at our home pubs. OLSC Toronto charges a fee for Premium memberships to support growth initiatives, offset costs for member events and deliver the best member experience possible.
These include: Support of local and Liverpool-based community groups, hosting fan experiences (eg. our holiday party), sponsoring fan experiences such as hosting ex-Liverpool players in our pub, and, where needed, updating banners and in-pub signage.
NOTE: 100% of funds collected serve the club’s mandate; OLSC Toronto Executives and Chairpersons are volunteers and receive no compensation for their time and effort. No portion of the membership fee collected is paid to Liverpool FC.
Membership cards are digital only and are required to unlock perks available throughout the season – including Member First Access to marquee matches and special events.
Please click on the “Card” link in our navigation. Note: You must be logged in to view your card. Also note that memberships renew at the start of every season and that you must renew them manually – they do not auto-renew.
Regardless of when you purchase your membership, OLSC Toronto memberships are valid from August 1st to July 31st of the following year to coincide with the start of pre-season activities.
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