Wembley to host 45,000 fans for Euro 2020 knockout stages

The UK government have confirmed Wembley will be opened at half capacity for the knockout stages of Euro 2020, with around 45,000 fans permitted to watch the games.

England's opening group stage game, Sunday's 1-0 win over Croatia, was played in front of 22,500 supporters, with the government keen to keep increasing that number where safe. Only 10,000 fans were allowed to watch the final two matches of the Premier League season, but success at those trial events saw the number bumped up.

Now, the government are stepping up their trial events and will use both the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Euros to see whether a larger number of fans can still be hosted safely.

"We want to gather further evidence on how we can open up all big events safely, and for good," said culture secretary Oliver Dowden (via BBC Sport).

"The expansion of trials of the NHS app and lateral flow testing will mean that bigger crowds will be able to attend a limited number of major sporting and cultural events early this summer as part of our events research programme.

"In the next few weeks, this means more fans enjoying the Euros and Wimbledon, and some of our biggest cultural and sports events."

The trial will begin in the round of 16, when Wembley will host one match. The stadium will also host both semi-finals and the final, all of which can now be watched by 45,000 fans.

Wembley's capacity will still be limited to 22,500 for the two remaining group stage games against Scotland on Friday and the Czech Republic the following Tuesday.

Anyone who wants to enter the stadium must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a 'COVID passport' which proves they have been fully vaccinated against the virus.

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