UEFA has approved a major change that could reshape stadium atmospheres across European football. During the UEFA Executive Committee meeting held in Istanbul, the governing body confirmed that the use of safe standing areas will be expanded from the 2026/27 season onward.
Under the new regulations, federations currently participating in UEFA’s “Standing Facilities Observer Programme” will now be allowed to use standing sections across all UEFA competitions — not only in men’s club tournaments. The expansion will also include women’s football competitions, national team matches and qualification games.
UEFA also opened the door for additional federations to join the system. Countries that have successfully implemented safe standing in their top domestic leagues for at least the past three years will be eligible to apply for approval in UEFA competitions starting from September 1, 2026.
The decision is particularly significant for countries where safe standing culture is deeply rooted, especially Germany. Iconic atmospheres such as Borussia Dortmund’s famous “Yellow Wall” have long faced capacity restrictions during UEFA matches. The updated framework is expected to enhance fan experience and increase stadium atmosphere across European competitions.
UEFA also confirmed that a transition period has begun to help other federations prepare for new stadium regulations set to come into force for the 2027/28 season. Safety standards, crowd control and modern rail-seating systems will remain central to the implementation process.