Deadline looms over 4 Euro 2020 host Cities

Article posted by Coliseum, April 13^th, 2021

Image: Bilbao Stadium

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has handed down the remaining four host cities of Euro 2020 – Munich (Germany), Rome (Italy), Bilbao (Spain), and Dublin (Ireland) – a deadline of April 19^th to provide additional information on their plans as regarding giving fans access after they failed to commit to allowing supporters into the stadia.

‘UEFA’ stated that the final decision will be made on the above date regarding the staging of matches in the above four venues. Further information for ticket holders in the four venues will be communicated at that point of time.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the administrative body for football, futsal and beach soccer in Europe. It is one of six continental confederations of world football’s governing body FIFA. UEFA consists of 55 national association members.

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The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2020 or simply Euro 2020, is scheduled to be the 16^th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Europe organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The soccer showpiece will be played between June 11th and July 11^th, 2021.

A statement sent out by the administrative body read, “UEFA is pleased to announce that there will be a return of spectators to the Euro 2020 venues and wishes to express its appreciation to its member associations and the national and local authorities who are collaborating closely in ensuring the safe return of spectators to the stadium.”

Presently, eight host countries have confirmed stadium capacities based on their projections of an improved health scenario in their countries in June and July due to a number of factors, including a country’s vaccination rollout, its planned measures for reopening the economy and the projected slowdown in the virus due to the warmer season.

Several of the host countries had already incorporated Euro 2020 in the rollout of their national recovery strategy. In addition, in planning the UEFA Euro 2020 final tournament, UEFA has worked in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to adapt the WHO COVID-19 risk assessment tool for Euro 2020.

Venue capacities

St. Petersburg (Russia) has confirmed a capacity of 50 percent, with the possibility of increasing the capacity by April-end, while Budapest (Hungary) is aiming for packed house, provided fans adhere to strict stadium entry requirements.

Baku (Azerbaijan) has confirmed a capacity of 50 percent, with the traveling fans of the participating teams required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Azerbaijan.

Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bucharest (Romania), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Glasgow (UK) have confirmed a capacity of 25 percent to 33 percent with Amsterdam, Bucharest and Copenhagen keeping open the option potentially to raise their capacities at the end of this month, depending on the development of their mass testing programs and general health conditions.

London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25 percent for the three group matches and round of 16 match and are hoping to confirm a higher capacity in early June for the semi-finals and final.

Uphill task

‘UEFA’ further stated that fans wishing to travel to the host countries to watch the fixtures will find it challenging due to ever-changing restrictions over the COVID-19 seesaw. They will have to comply with the border entry restrictions and requirements (including quarantine) in force at the time, as no exemptions will be granted for ticketholders for nine host countries.

Only three host countries are planning exemptions from entry restrictions and requirements. Ticket holders traveling to Baku, Budapest and St. Petersburg may be able to benefit from special procedures that will exempt them from entry bans or quarantine requirements.

Non-resident ticket holders traveling to Budapest will be required to present proof of negative results from two COVID-19 tests performed in the five days preceding entry into Hungary or a certificate of previous COVID-19 infection valid within six months prior to entry into the country.

For St. Petersburg, the authorities are also considering exemption from travel restrictions for the general public and participating team supporters holding valid tickets, subject to presenting proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result.

For Baku, the exemption is applicable only to the participating team supporters (citizens or residents of said country) holding a ticket who may enter the country if they present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test result.

In addition, for the matches in Bucharest, ticket holders may benefit from the exemption from quarantine if they present a recent COVID-19 test and limit their stay to less than three days.

Ticket buyers will receive an email informing them where they can find information regarding border entry restrictions and requirements laid down by the respective host countries. UEFA have addressed the questions spectators might have following this media release in the official spectator event guide, available on EURO2020.com and the UEFA EURO 2020 App, with additional information about COVID-19 mitigation measures at the stadium and travel information for each host City.

Ticket refund deadline

Anyone wishing to return their tickets may do so on the UEFA ticketing portal which is already open and will close at 18:00 CEST on April 22^nd, 2021 in order to receive a full refund. Special arrangements will be made for ticket buyers should a venue be changed or should a venue not be able to host any spectator and further details would be communicated in due course.

Cancellation ballot

Once the ticketing return phase is closed on April 22^nd, UEFA will determine if the number of sold tickets that have been retained by ticket holders exceeds the permitted seating capacities of each match. Should this be the case, a ballot will be held in order to determine the additional tickets that will need to be canceled in order to comply with the decisions of the host country Governments. For tickets purchased through the Participating National Associations sales program, the rules of the respective fan clubs will apply.

Ticket buyers that have been unsuccessful in the ballot will be informed in the month of May.

Reserved teams’ tickets

The sale of tickets that have been reserved for the teams (Hungary, North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovakia) that qualified through Euro 2020 play-offs will start in early May.

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