England: Middlesbrough confirms Riverside Stadium safe standing plan

source: StadiumDB.com; author: StadiumDB.com

England: Middlesbrough confirms Riverside Stadium safe standing plan Middlesbrough FC introduced safe standing at the Riverside Stadium. The strategy is to check all the strengths and weaknesses of the licensed area in the South Stand till the end of the season.

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The location of the safe standing area and the timeline for implementation are not set in stone. There can be changes after the trial period. Just like in the case of using a reliable essay writing service where you get free revisions and can ask your assistant to make the required changes. It’s important to evaluate the results and make adjustments if necessary.

Everyone visiting the Riverside Stadium to see Millwall on Saturday, December 14, saw the new installation of independent barriers in two rows. Club officials expect to get objective feedback from visitors on this relatively new approach to visiting stadiums. They have been researching the risks of standing areas for the past three years and consider all the details.

The outcome of this experiment will decide the club officials' long-term decision. If the system works, great. If it doesn’t, the club will have to try other approaches and learn from past mistakes. The examples of Sunderland, Leeds, Derby, and QPR show that standing areas work and become more and more popular among visitors.

Safe standing is a system of seating in which fans can stand up and watch the game. It is becoming increasingly popular in Europe because the tickets are usually cheaper. At the same time, such areas require less infrastructure and maintenance. On top of that, they can accommodate more fans in a smaller space.

It is a win-win situation for both fans and clubs. The only thing left to do is find the most convenient form of its implementation worldwide. However, not all stadiums are suitable for safe standing. The safety requirements can be very strict, which leads to impressive investments needed to retrofit a stadium.

Riverside Stadium© julia eckley /alan hooper

Some of the most crucial requirements include:

  • There must be a clear separation between standing and seating areas.
  • The same rule applies to the space between the standing area and the playing field.
  • The standing area must be level.
  • It should be possible for fans to stand safely.
  • The stadium must have a good evacuation plan in place.

Many fans and clubs believe that safe standing would create a better atmosphere and make matches more enjoyable. However, there are also those who remain concerned about safety issues.

The key factors that will determine the future of safe standing might be public opinion, safety regulations, and club initiatives. If fans are strongly for this way of attending their favorite games and concerts, it will put pressure on authorities to support this approach. Also, the possible changes to safety regulations could pave the way for the reintroduction of safe standing. Clubs that are willing to invest in these facilities could help drive the change and transform the standards of stadium seating.

Riverside Stadium© Mark Lee

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