TheCable

The Euro Cup 2020 was postponed last year until this summer. However, with 12 nations set to host matches between 11th June and 11th July this year, the situation regarding fans in stadiums is still unclear. Ongoing global events affect host nations differently, and while some have confirmed fans may attend, many others are yet to state their intentions.

Which countries currently have plans to host fans in stadiums?

There are 12 host cities for the tournament. The deadline for respective associations to inform UEFA of their intentions for minimum fan numbers in each stadium is this week. However, some may request extensions to uncertainties related to ongoing global events.

Nine of the host countries compete in the tournament, including England, Germany, Russia, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Scotland, Hungary, and the Netherlands. To date, Italy, Denmark, Russia, and the Netherlands have specified their plans to allow between 25% – 50% capacity.

The Italian FA has confirmed their stadium will welcome at least 25% of its capacity safely. Italy’s Stadio Olimpico venue can host just over 72,000 at full capacity. The Dutch FA has similarly confirmed their intentions to welcome 25% capacity, which equates to around 12,000 fans, at their Ajax Amsterdam Arena.

Around 13,000 fans will attend matches at Romania’s Arena Nationala in Bucharest, where three group C games will be hosted.

Will the UK be hosting fans in stadiums?

Seven matches will be played in England’s Wembley Stadium, which includes the semi-finals and the final. The UK government has authorised several test events to go ahead with spectators beforehand. There will be thousands of fans present at these events. They include the FA Cup semi-final on 18th April, the FA Cup final on 15th May, and the Carabao Cup final on 25th April.

Four games are scheduled to be played in Dublin, but the Irish government cannot confirm anything relating to the minimum numbers of fans in stadiums. However, the matter is under review, and officials will continue to work with UEFA on this.

The situation in Scotland looks slightly more promising at this stage. Glasgow is set to host four games at Hampden Park, and the government has said it is ‘hopeful’ these will go ahead.

What is UEFA’s view?

Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA, has stated that it is not an option for matches to be played behind closed doors. Each game must have supporters present. However, the exact capacity for stadiums will vary depending on the epidemiological situation.

No association has yet stated that they will be unable to host any fans, although the situation remains uncertain in many regions. However, the main issue at present is the variation in numbers. Some associations are only able to provide around 10% stadium capacity; it has been reported. The question remains whether this will be sufficient to make the hosting of games there viable from a financial perspective.

At this time, UEFA has confirmed that St. Petersburg, Baku, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Glasgow and London will host games with spectator’s capacity between 25% and 100%. Munich, Rome, Bilbao, and Dublin have until the end of April to give information and decide how they want to organise spectator attendance.