Arsenal have confirmed the phased introduction of licensed standing in the lower tier at Emirates Stadium.
As we reported in December, the club will install rail seats in the Clock End next summer, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the move from Highbury, and has committed to doing the same in the North Bank in time for the 2027/28 campaign.
“Safe standing” has long been a topic at the club, with former manager Arsene Wenger and ex-CEO Ivan Gazidis both backing the idea before leaving in 2018.
Supporters’ groups have also pushed the concept for years. In 2017, the Arsenal Supporters Trust, AISA, REDaction and the Black Scarf Movement surveyed over 7,000 fans – 96% were in favour, with 76% saying they would use it.
The club’s own 2022 survey of 16,000 supporters showed backing remained strong, with 70% in favour, although only 40% said they would want to be in such an area. It also highlighted operational concerns around relocating existing season ticket holders, preventing free movement into standing zones, and the potential impact on overall capacity.
Interestingly, none of those issues have proved insurmountable, with sustained lobbying from fan groups ultimately persuading the club to move forward.
By the 2027/28 season, around 13,500 supporters – including away fans – will be located in safe-standing areas, while the overall capacity, just over 60,000, will remain unchanged.
There had been concerns that capacity might fall and that lower-tier concourses would need to be restricted to stop those without standing tickets from entering those zones. However, the club believe the areas can be managed through stewarding rather than physical barriers.
Earlier this month, Arsenal trialled rail seating for Chelsea supporters in the Clock End upper tier during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Its temporary use there is seen as a potential long-term solution for FA Cup ties against major clubs, who are entitled to 15% of the Emirates’ total capacity.
A statement from The Arsenal Supporters Trust reads:
Arsenal fans have long wanted this so it is great news that safe standing is to be introduced at the Emirates Stadium.
We have campaigned for more than ten years to secure this outcome and hope it will further enhance fans’ match day experience, the atmosphere and ultimately support for the team.
It will also clarify arrangements for supporters when they buy a ticket by setting clear expectations on whether they can expect to primarily stand or be seated.
It shouldn’t have taken this long and some of the reasons Arsenal have put forward over the years for not introducing safe standing have been obstructive. But we give credit to Rich Garlick and his executive team who have recognised the importance of the issue to fans. Club and fans can now move forward together.
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In other news, the club have confirmed that general admission and club level season tickets will be increasing for a fifth year in a row.