Wembley fan zones: FA Cup semi-finals

The FA Cup semi-finals are set to take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 April, and while a visit to the national stadium is nothing beyond the norm for Chelsea and Man City fans, excitement is very much in the air among Leeds and Southampton supporters.

For fans with tickets for either semi-final, fan zones will be provided around the stadium in the build-up to kick-off. Continue reading our guide for all the information you need on the fan zones, including opening times, locations, prices and more.

FA Cup semi-final fan zones

While pubs are perhaps the more traditional setting for a pre-match drink, fan zones are an excellent location to soak in the atmosphere in the hours before kickoff.

Whether you are travelling with friends or by yourself, they are also a great way to meet fellow supporters, with fan zones often promoting social activity more so than pubs near Wembley Stadium.

East Side fan zone

Fans allocated the east side at Wembley are invited to visit the fanzone located on the East side of the concourse at Wembley, known as East Village. This fan zone typically opens four hours before kick-off and includes a resident DJ, food vendors and a bar.

Anyone looking to attend this fan zone will need a valid match ticket to enter.

Arena Square fan zone

Fans allocated the west side at Wembley can visit a fan zone called Arena Square. This fan zone is near identical to the one on the east side in terms of what to expect and opening times.

Boxpark Wembley

Boxpark Wembley is often open for supporters before a match at Wembley. You will need a valid matchday ticket to enter and will need to purchase a general admission ticket for the venue, which is priced at £11.52.

The match won't be screened here, but considering you need a match ticket to enter, this shouldn't be much of an issue.

What are the rules for the Wembley fan zones?

As the alcohol will undoubtedly flow, BoxPark has some strict rules that must be followed.

Banners cannot be displayed at the venue, although you can keep them in bags. Children are allowed as long as they are accompanied, so BoxPark asks that nothing be thrown in the air and that fans refrain from standing on tables.

Laser devices, knives/weapons, flares/fireworks, air horns, alcoholic beverages, unsealed bottles, and illegal substances are all banned from the venue, and there is a zero-tolerance policy on racism, anti-social behaviour and inciting hatred or abuse.

Bags will be searched upon entry, and tables cannot be reserved in advance. Bar service will end one hour before kickoff, and once you leave, you cannot re-enter unless you rejoin the entry queue.

All fanzones will be open from 11am and will stop serving alcohol approximately one hour before kickoff.

Are the Wembley fan zones free?

Tickets for Boxpark cost £10 plus a small booking fee. Please note that this only grants you entry into the fan zone, so you will also need to consider the cost of food and drink once you are inside.

The cheapest pint at Boxpark Wembley is £5.80 for a Carling, while the most expensive is £7 for a Blue Moon. They also offer other popular lagers, including Madri, Staropramen and Prahva.

Future ‘away' fanzone planned

Plans for a new Wembley fan zone for visiting fans have been submitted, with the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Limited hoping to get it approved soon. The new fan zone will be placed near the current Wembley Arena site, though suggestions have been made that it would be moved if Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena events were to clash.

The new fan zone will only be available to fans with a ticket. Plans also revealed that the venue will close at least 30 minutes before matches at the stadium start. Alcohol sales will stop one hour before, but will not reopen afterwards.

For now, the plans are surrounded by some controversy, with the Wembley Arena owners not happy with the location and how it might impact the safety of events at their venue.

The main issue is centred around whether Wembley Stadium will utilise the fanzone for all events at the stadium (54 per year), or if it will be just for football and related activities.