Yahoo Finance More than 60,000 fans to attend Wembley for Euros semi-finals and final
More than 60,000 fans will be allowed to attend the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium, the government have confirmed.
After attempts from other nations, including Italy and Hungary, to move the final three games from London, it was confirmed on Tuesday that capacity would be increased to 75 per cent at the national stadium for the final three games of the tournament.
England’s three group stage games at Wembley Stadium, which come to an end with the match against Czech Republic on Tuesday night, have had a capacity of around 22,500, with that figure rising to around 40,000 for the round-of-16 ties staged under the arch.
The government are thought to have struck a deal with Uefa over how many overseas fans, sponsors and VIPs will be allowed to attend the games, ironing out potential issues over the final three games of the tournament.
The semi-finals and July 11 final will form part of the Events Research Programme, with culture secretary Oliver Dowden saying: “We are thrilled that more fans will now be able to walk through the Wembley turnstiles and enjoy the finals of Euro 2020.
“As we continue to make progress on our roadmap out of lockdown, keeping the public safe remains our top priority.
“We have worked extremely closely with Uefa and the FA to ensure rigorous public health measures are in place whilst allowing more fans to see the action live. The finals promise to be an unforgettable moment in our national recovery from the pandemic.”
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin says he is "grateful to the prime minister and the UK government for their hard work in finalising these arrangements with us."
“It is great news that so many fans will be able to watch the final three matches of Euro 2020 at Wembley,” he said.
“The last 18 months have taught us - both on and off the pitch - how integral fans are to the fabric of the game.
“This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that road.”
Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the Football Association, added: “It is great that the government has agreed to allow over 60,000 fans in Wembley for the final three matches of the tournament. It’s amazing how much atmosphere fans have been able to generate so far, so to have three times as many will be fantastic.
“We have always said that fans are the lifeblood of the game, so it’s brilliant that so many will get a chance to see the tournament finale. We hope that this programme lays the foundation for the safe return of fans in stadiums all across the country next season.”
Uefa are expected to announce further ticketing details, with the government confirming: “It is expected ticket holders in the UK who lost their tickets for the semi-finals and final in the re-ballot will be at the front of the queue to be at the games.”
No details around quarantine requirements have yet been confirmed, but European football's governing body said last week that it was in talks with the government over allowing fans into the country without restrictions on the condition they were in the UK for less than 24 hours and stayed within bubbles.
Of all the non-British nations involved in the tournament, only Turkey were on the UK's travel red list. Turkey are now out of the tournament after finishing bottom of Group A.
Read More
Denmark’s Euros victory over Russia hailed as ‘redemption’ after Christian Eriksen trauma
Uefa block Allianz Arena rainbow lighting due to ‘political context’ of Euros request
