The upcoming Champions League final at Wembley Stadium between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will have the largest stewarding deployment in the stadium’s history. Over 2,500 stewards will be present, with over £5m invested towards improving safety and infrastructure to prevent a repeat of the chaotic scenes seen during England’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy.
An independent review by Baroness Casey in 2021 found more than 20 “near-misses” that could have led to serious injury or death as ticketless fans tried to enter the stadium illegally. The report also highlighted a “collective failure” in planning for the match, with around 2,000 people gaining unauthorized entry.
The FA’s director of tournaments and events, Chris Bryant, noted that stewarding supply had improved since the low point seen during the Euro final due to the Covid pandemic. However, there were still incidents of disorder at Wembley that were followed by similar incidents at the 2022 and 2023 Champions League finals in Paris and Istanbul, raising concerns about fan safety and security.
To ensure a trouble-free event at Wembley on Saturday, a “robust and comprehensive testing plan” has been implemented for digital ticketing and checks. Additional security measures such as increased cameras, lock systems, and body-cams for stewards have been put in place to enhance security both inside the stadium and in surrounding areas.
Entrance to Wembley will be allowed four hours before kick-off instead of two hours previously. Transport for London has also provided extra services to accommodate supporters travelling to and from the ground. With lessons learned from past events, local authorities are working together with the FA to ensure that all attendees are kept safe and secure at this year’s Champions League final.
