AST welcomes introduction of Safe Standing within Emirates Stadium

- Decision is culmination of more than a decade of campaigning -

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) welcomes the decision by Arsenal to implement safe standing (rail seats) at specified locations across the Emirates Stadium over the next two years.

This decision is the culmination of more than ten years of campaigning by the AST as we acted on one of the core policy aims in our mission statement:

• To work for the introduction of safe standing at Emirates Stadium, as supported by the majority of Arsenal fans and now in place at most other Premier League Clubs

This has included the following activities:

• Supporting the FSA campaign for safe standing across football
• Lobbying of Government and then-Sports Minister Tracey Crouch MP to change the regulations and allow safe standing in football grounds
• Working with the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) on how safe standing could be introduced
• Organising the largest ever survey of Arsenal fans on safe standing that provided us with the vital evidence to show fans overwhelming support to the club
• Repeatedly raising safe standing with Arsenal Board members and executives in supporter liaison meetings and then at the Arsenal Advisory Board (AAB)

AST said:

‘Arsenal fans have long wanted this so it is great news that safe standing is to be introduced at the Emirates Stadium.

We have campaigned for more than ten years to secure this outcome and hope it will further enhance fans’ match day experience, the atmosphere and ultimately support for the team.

It will also clarify arrangements for supporters when they buy a ticket by setting clear expectations on whether they can expect to primarily stand or be seated.  

It shouldn’t have taken this long and some of the reasons Arsenal have put forward over the years for not introducing safe standing have been obstructive. But we give credit to Rich Garlick and his executive team who have recognised the importance of the issue to fans. Club and fans can now move forward together.’

Notes/Background information

• AST Safe standing survey 

During February and March 2017 the AST organised a survey of Arsenal fans on the issue of Safe Standing at football. This follows an announcement by the Premier League that they were looking into the issue and planned to conduct further research including asking for views from supporters. The survey was conducted on the Survey Monkey platform and distributed on-line and through membership lists of Arsenal fans.

The survey received 7,239 responses making it the largest ever specific survey on this subject. We were assisted in its circulation by REDaction, AISA and BSM. The following report sets out the results and written comments provided by Arsenal fans. The full results and written responses are being provided to both Arsenal Football Club and the Premier League for their consideration and the AST will remain engaged in the review that is taking place.

Principal findings

• More than 96% of fans are in favour of safe standing at football grounds.

• Over three quarters (76%) of Arsenal fans surveyed said that they would want to utilise safe standing if it was available.

• Of fans who said they would not use safe standing themselves, 85% were still in favour of there being safe standing areas in the ground.

• AST submission to AAB in Dec 2025

Safe standing (rail seating) is long overdue at Arsenal. We are the only big club in the Premier League not to have this. There is overwhelming evidence it provides a better experience for fans  and for stewarding.

AST has previously submitted detailed evidence on the case for introducing safe standing including overwhelming support for it from Arsenal fans. Crucially we also believe it will help with Mikel Arteta’s focus on getting the stadium together with the team.

There is also a customer satisfaction issue. There are all-seater areas where people stand non-stop for 90 minutes. This has seen children and people with disabilities unable to enjoy the ticket they have bought.

There was an AAB working group on this issue and good progress was being made and then it stalled. We would like a timetabled commitment that this will be re-established with rail seating introduced for home fans in suitable areas of the lower tier of the Emirates Stadium.gf