Meeting #1 with Glasgow Host City Stakeholders

Last week, ATACs Chair and Vice Chair were invited to join the first of several meetings with the Glasgow Host City stakeholders, to discuss the plans for fans returning to Hampden for the Euro2020 matches, and some of the plans and mitigations in place. The meeting was attended by those on the Glasgow Host City team, SFA security, Police Scotland, and Football Supporters Europe.

Transport

We discussed the various plans for travelling to Hampden. It is expected that the majority of those heading to the stadium will begin their match day experience somewhere in Glasgow city and head to Hampden from there. Shuttle buses will be running from the City Centre.  Walking routes will be signposted and there will be volunteers and stewards similar to what was in place for the Commonwealth Games. Given the current situation, Walking from the city is the preferred option, and would avoid various stages of queueing for fans.

There will also be some supporters buses running direct to Hampden, although reduced numbers due to social distancing. There will be a parking tool launched on the UEFA website for bus organisers to claim a parking permit. There will be several areas where buses will be directed to. More info on when this parking tool launches will be forthcoming and ATAC will communicate this with all of our clubs, and the extended list of clubs we hold who run buses.

Fanzone

As was recently reported in the media, the Fanzone for Glasgow has now been relocated to Glasgow Green – plans still being finalised, but the intention is this is planning to be open for all 31 days of the tournament.  Similar to the one in London it will be ticketed and tickets will be free but applied for through a ballot.  It will show all matches and on tournament rest days there will likely be cultural type events.

Heading to the Stadium

The stadium itself will open 3 hours before kick off. Fans are encouraged to get in to the stadium as early as possible. There will likely be half hour entry slots for ticket holders, although we are unsure at present how these will be allocated.

On closer approach to Hampden there will be three perimeter entrances.  Your ticket will determine which one you should be heading towards.  We were told that stadium approach and entry will be different to what we are used to. There will be security checks on approach including searches with “wands” similar to what airport security use.  Your virtual ticket will be activated at a certain point as you approach the stadium.  Socially distanced queues will be in place to enter the stadium and there may be more than one search as you approach.

These security protocols will be in place for everyone that attends.  If you arrive at 10 mins to kick off then you will need to go through all these processes just as the fans who arrived 90 mins before you did.  Leaving entry to the last minute will risk missing a decent chunk of the match.  Do not leave it to the last minute.

Once inside the stadium we are unsure what facilities will be open, but as we are already aware, there have been no changes to the alcohol at football legislation.  We did point out that there needs to be something on offer to realistically attract fans inside two hours before kick off.  We did also point out that our 2pm match will have a totally different feel to our 8pm kick off. The organisation team agreed, and committed to continuing to work on this.

UEFA Euro 2020 Fans App

The team shared some of the excellent content available on the UEFA Euro 2020 Fans App, and we would encourage fans to download this

Future Meetings

For most of us this will be the first time we’ve been at a professional football match with a crowd for over a year. They will provide great opportunities to show that Hampden, Glasgow and Scotland are capable of delivering events, and we fully support the efforts of the Host City team to host these matches in the difficult circumstances we currently find ourselves in.  We are aiming to have joined up comms with the SFA and Host City teams as we go forward. ATAC have taken an action to approach the clubs on the Supporter’s Bus Lists to establish how many we are anticipating using that method of transport, and we will meet again with the stakeholders in a few weeks time.

As always, if any supporters have any points for us to ask or raise, or any concerns to get in touch with us wither through your ATAC Club rep, or with us directly, ahead of future meetings.

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