During the European Championship, at least eight of the twelve host cities will be played with supporters in the stands, the European Football Association confirmed on Friday. UEFA has imposed a deadline on the remaining four host cities to clarify whether fans are welcome in the stadiums. These are Munich, Rome, Bilbao and Dublin.
In Budapest, the stadiums will probably even be full, provided the fans can meet the strict entry requirements. Saint Petersburg has confirmed a capacity of no less than fifty percent, with the possibility to increase the capacity even more. Baku will also allow half-full stadiums, provided spectators can provide a negative corona test.
Amsterdam, Bucharest, London, Copenhagen and Glasgow estimate that they can achieve a minimum of 25% and a maximum of 33% of the capacity during the European Championship in July. In addition, the development of the coronavirus determines whether that number can increase or decrease. The Johan Cruijff Arena will be 25 to 33 percent filled during the European Championship. The Dutch national team, which will take action for the first time on June 13 and then play against Ukraine, will play all its group duels in Amsterdam and will therefore be supported by at least 13,000 fans.
UEFA announced in a statement on Friday that it is not yet certain that European Championship matches will be played in Munich, Rome, Bilbao and Dublin. These cities refused to promise that there are one hundred percent sure fans are allowed to be present at the European Championship duels. “These four cities have until April 19 to come up with clarity and based on the information with which they come, it will be decided whether matches will be organized in those stadiums.”
“At the moment, eight of the twelve host cities have confirmed that part of the stadium will be open to the public, as the corona situation is expected to improve in June,” UEFA continues. “This has to do with the vaccination programs in these countries, the plans to reopen the economy and the delay of the virus due to warmer weather.”
The Dutch national team will compete in the group stage against Ukraine (June 13), Austria (June 17) and North Macedonia (June 21). In addition, a match in the eighth final (June 26) of the European Championship in Amsterdam will also be played. All visitors who plan to visit the matches of Oranje must comply with the strict security protocols surrounding the corona virus. Supporters will only be granted access upon presentation of proof of a negative corona test. On March 27, an experiment was already conducted in the Johan Cruijff ArenA with 5,000 spectators at the World Cup qualifying match between the Dutch and Latvia (2-0).