Liverpool FC has confirmed it has completed its rail seating trial for some sections of Anfield Stadium and will continue with the phased installation programme on an ongoing basis.
At the end of the trial period, the club reviewed the effectiveness of rail seating in terms of fan safety and, as a result of its findings, will apply for a Safe Standing Licence.
According to the Sports Ground Safety Authority’s (SGSA) most recent enforcement recommendations, stadiums with rail seating for more than two years must apply for a Safe Standing Licence.
From next season, safe standing areas will be installed across all rail seating sections on the Kop and in the lower Anfield Road Stand. Fans will be allowed to stand in these safe standing areas throughout matches, not just during significant moments such as goal celebrations.
Safe standing areas are licenced by the SGSA, and fans must be able to sit or stand; the seats cannot be locked in the ‘up’ or ‘down’ position. There must also be one seat or space per person, and licensed standing areas must not impact the viewing standards of other fans, including disabled supporters.
Staff and stewards will be briefed and trained to ensure that only relevant ticket holders are admitted to the licensed standing areas, and CCTV will provide full coverage of the licensed standing areas.
Wolves, Spurs, Manchester City, Manchester United, Brentford, and Chelsea are the other Premier League clubs that have applied for and been granted a Safe Standing Licence.
Following a safety review by the SGSA, rail seating was first introduced in two areas of Anfield Stadium during the 2020-21 closed season. The initial trial included 7,800 rail seats installed on the Top and the lower tier of the Anfield Road Stand; a second phase included an additional 2,500 rail seats installed on the Kop during last season’s winter Word Cup break.
The next phase of installation will take place this summer, when a total of 3,000 rail seats will be installed on the Kop in the remaining blocks 202-208 up to row 33.
This will bring the total to 7,425 rail seats on the Kop, just over 55 percent of stand capacity. LFC plans to extend rail seating on the Kop next year to Blocks 102–108, up to row 13.
The club have confirmed any season ticket holders whose seats are affected by these changes will be contacted directly to explain the changes in due course.
The club has consulted with its Supporters’ Board about permanently extending railed seating and applying for a Safe Standing Licence.
Andy Hughes, Managing Director, Liverpool Football Club, said:
“Following an extensive review of our rail seating trial we’re delighted to confirm it has been successful and is now a permanent feature at Anfield Stadium.
“We also examined how effective rail seating is in terms of the health and safety of our fans, and we came to the conclusion that the management of rail seating areas would benefit from safe standing areas.
“So that’s why we have taken the decision to apply for a Safe Standing Licence, which will see the introduction of safe standing areas across all stadium sections with rail seating from next season.
“The health and safety of our supporters when attending matches at Anfield is, and always will be, paramount.”
