Minister makes major safe standing announcement at the Tottenham stadium

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston announced at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday that clubs would be permitted to introduce safe standing areas at their stadiums from next season, the club’s official website have revealed.

Tottenham’s state-of-the-art 62,850 capacity ground, which officially opened in 2019, has been future-proofed for safe standing in its iconic South Stand as well as in the away end.

The safe standing design at the venue provides the same leg room as in all other areas of the stadium, with the bar set at 900mm for clear sightlines.

Spurs were one of five clubs that were chosen to take part in the Early Adopter Scheme, which saw safe standing trialled at grounds from the start of this calendar year.

In fact, the club’s FA Cup fixture against Morecambe on 9 January was one of the first matches where standing was allowed in the UK for nearly 30 years.

Following the trial, research commissioned by the SGSA has concluded that licensed safe standing areas have had a positive impact on spectator safety and improved the matchday experience.

On his visit to Tottenham’s home ground on Sunday, Huddleston recommended that clubs be allowed to implement safe standing from the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking from the South Stand, the Sports Minister said: “Based upon what I have experienced, and we have learnt through the pilot programme, safe standing is set to deliver an electric atmosphere at our football stadiums.

“Fans have long campaigned for its introduction and we have worked carefully with supporters’ groups, including the families affected by the tragic Hillsborough football disaster.

“I am proud of the work that has gone into this rigorous process and that we have delivered on our manifesto commitment to get fans back on their feet in stadiums.”

Spurs Web Opinion

This is a fantastic development and one that has been a long time coming. Not only will this improve the fan experience at grounds next season but it will also lead to much-improved atmospheres during matchdays.

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