The Riverside Stadium safe standing trial has begun and will remain in place for the remainder of the season. When the trial ends, Middlesbrough will make a long-term decision on the future of the safe standing section in the South Stand.
At Middlesbrough's game against Millwall on 14 December, fans were greeted by a new safe standing section in the South Stand.
The independent barriers appeared in two rows on the stand, with the club now seeking feedback from fans. If all goes according to plan, a fully opened safe standing section could be available for the 2025/26 season.
Riverside Stadium Safe standing trial ahead of 2025/26 season
The outcome of this trial will significantly influence the club's long-term vision. If the system proves successful, it would be a positive development; however, if it falls short of expectations, lessons learned will guide the exploration of alternative strategies.
The experiences of clubs such as Sunderland, Leeds, Derby, and QPR indicate that standing areas can be effective and increasingly popular among fans. Middlesbrough will now trial the feature for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
The next step away from Middlesbrough is to identify practical methods for implementing this system globally. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all stadiums are equipped to support safe standing; stricter safety regulations may necessitate considerable investments in retrofitting existing facilities.
Many supporters and club officials believe that safe standing could significantly enhance the matchday experience. While safety concerns remain, fans' enthusiasm and passion are crucial factors. Public opinion, tighter safety regulations, and proactive measures from clubs will ultimately influence the future of safe standing.
Some key aspects of the trail, and safe standing in general, are that it must adhere to clear rules:
- A clear separation between standing and seating areas of the stand
- The area where fans stand must be level
- Evacuation plans must be in place
- A clear separation between the standing section and the pitch
FGG says: Safe standing is a positive change
We all know why standing sections in stadiums were outlawed in the UK. In 2024, we are finally starting to see a shift in momentum toward allowing these sections. Middlesbrough join a growing host of clubs that have either fully implemented solutions or are currently looking to trial such solutions.
While these standing sections often remain small and crucially do not currently increase stadium capacity, they are an important first step.
The crucial next decision will come in the form of FA regulation on safe standing and if they would require clubs to have a section. For now, it's an optional extra for a stadium, with very strict regulations around how and where it can be implemented. We suspect 2025 will see more stories of safe standing sections coming to a stadium near you.