Liverpool supporters will be among the first to be allowed to stand watching a Premier League match during a trial of safe standing today.
In late 2021, five clubs - Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City - were approved as the first sides in the top two tiers of English football to permit standing in almost 30 years.
The trial will continue until the end of the campaign during which research will be carried out to evaluate the implementation of licensed standing areas before the Government decides whether to increase the number of licenses next season.
The first game for which standing will be permitted in safe standing areas is Liverpool's trip to Chelsea this afternoon.
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In a statement earlier this month, the London club said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm licensed safe standing will be in operation in areas of Stamford Bridge for our home match against Liverpool on Sunday 2 January.
"The areas for safe standing are the Matthew Harding Stand lower tier and Shed End upper and lower tiers where rail seating has already been installed, with the match beginning a trial period also involving the home stadiums of Cardiff City, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
"For the Liverpool game and subsequent trial games, all supporters with tickets in the safe standing areas are allocated a seat as usual but now have the option of standing during the game at their allocated seat.
"Should they wish to they can remain seated but they must be aware that surrounding fans may stand and there is no dedicated area only for those who wish to sit."
The club added: “It should be noted that standing in any other areas of the stadium is not permitted.”
Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, said: "Fans have long campaigned for the introduction of safe standing, so I’m pleased that Stamford Bridge will launch this pilot programme that will allow us to carry out an in-depth trial at some of our biggest stadia over the remainder of the season, and inform a decision on a widespread roll-out."
Liverpool installed 7,800 rail seats last summer, although fans are reminded Anfield remains an all-seater stadium for now.
"The design is to enable fans to stand safely at key moments in the game, like goal celebrations, but must revert to a seat at other times," said the club in August.
