EUROPEAN FOOTBALL SET TO WELCOME FANS BACK INTO STADIUMS AHEAD OF EURO 2020
UEFA has announced that all 11 EURO 2020 host cities will welcome fans back for matches this northern summer, with stadiums running at varying capacities depending on state regulations.
The tournament, to be held in 11 cities in 11 UEFA countries, was originally scheduled to take place from 12 June to 12 July 2020. Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, it was rescheduled to take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021, while still retaining the name “UEFA Euro 2020”. It is being hosted in several nations as a “romantic” one-off event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championship competition. The 11 host cities are: Amsterdam, Baku, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Munich, London, Rome, Seville and Saint Petersburg.
Seville is a new host city for the competition, as the four matches initially scheduled to take place in Bilbao will be moved to the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. The venue will host about 30% of its stadium’s capacity.
The three Group E matches which were initially scheduled for Dublin will now take place at Saint Petersburg Stadium. And the round of 16 match – initially scheduled for Dublin – has been moved to Wembley Stadium in London.
Saint Petersburg and Baku have confirmed capacities of 50%. Budapest aims to host 100% of the stadium capacity, but with strict stadium entry requirements for spectators.
Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Rome and Seville will be hosting 25%-33% of the stadium capacity; London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25% for the first three group matches and round of 16 match.
Munich aims to host a minimum of 14,500 spectators, corresponding to around 22% of the stadium capacity.
Earlier this month, Wembley welcomed 8,000 fans for the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham. Both clubs had 2,000 fans, with a further 4,000 for local residents and NHS staff in what was a test event as the UK Government trials the return of fans.
