Arsenal and Manchester City supporters heading to this month's Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium could notice a significant change in how they watch the match.
A major stadium upgrade means thousands of fans will be able to stand safely during the game – the first time the system has been used at such a scale at the national stadium.
Wembley Stadium will implement safe standing for Carabao Cup final
Both sets of fans will be the first to experience the newly installed safe-standing areas at Wembley on March 22.
The Football Association installed around 10,000 licensed rail seats over the winter, creating the largest safe-standing section in British football.
The seats are positioned in the upper tier on the east and west sides of the stadium and feature waist-high rails designed to allow supporters to stand safely during matches.
The installation follows a successful trial of safe standing in the lower tier and comes after the UK government revised the long-standing all-seater policy in 2022.
The rail seating will also be used for upcoming England international fixtures, including World Cup warm-up matches against Uruguay and Japan later this month.
FGG says: A proper matchday experience for Arsenal and Man City fans
For several decades, Wembley Stadium has been the epitome of the modern era of sports venues, with the majority appearing as all-seater bowls – much like the Emirates Stadium and the Etihad Stadium.
The chance for some supporters to revert to a way in which they used to watch a game will be particularly exciting.
Safe standing represents a shift back towards the sort of atmosphere that many will associate with football, so this news is certainly encouraging, whether you are an Arsenal or Man City fan or not.
If this potential trial game proves successful, then it could further encourage the rollout of such areas across many more stadiums in England.