WEST Bromwich Albion has announced a significant change that will be coming to The Hawthorns this summer.
The Baggies have announced that safe standing will be installed at the stadium ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The works will see almost 4,000 seats in the home and away areas of the upper Smethwick End, as well as Millennium Corner, converted to safe standing.
The club confirmed that there will be no change to the capacity of The Hawthorns, which will remain at 26,804, with 3,864 safe standing positions.
Then news comes after consultation with the Albion Assembly, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) and the club’s Safety Advisory Group.
Safe standing areas permit supporters to stand for the duration of a match and are introduced to help keep supporters safer while standing and enhance the spectator experience
Standing is not required in these areas, however, supporters risk restricted pitch views if they are seated when surrounded by standing supporters.
Albion Managing Director, Mark Miles, said: “The club have long been advocates of safe standing and we are delighted to be introducing it to The Hawthorns for next season.
“Though the upper Smethwick End and Millennium Corner are expected to be very popular locations for safe standing, we understand it might not be for everyone, and we’ll ensure anyone who would like to relocate can do so.
“A lot has changed since The Hawthorns became an all-seater stadium almost 30 years ago, and we’re confident now is the right time to bring standing back in a safe and controlled way.”
Supporters who wish to relocate from the areas in which safe standing is to be installed will be given the opportunity to do so when season tickets go on sale, the club said.
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