Plans for a massive World Cup “fan zone” on Clapham Common are at risk of being abandoned because of delays in securing planning and licensing consent, the event organisers have warned.
The proposal for a “Football Fest 2026” event, which would screen dozens of games live including all England and Scotland matches, would attract an estimated 250,000 people to the common in June and July.
It is thought to be the largest single open-air event at which World Cup matches would be screened in London.
But residents and local groups have raised multiple concerns, including late-night noise and the difficulty of getting up to 25,000 fans home after 11pm.
The Friends of Clapham Common says it will oppose the event’s bid to secure planning and licensing consent from Lambeth council.
The This is Clapham business improvement district believes the fan park would cause “serious economic damage, increase crime and anti social behaviour, and place unsustainable pressure on local transport and public safety”.
But Fan Parks London Ltd, the firm behind the fan zone proposal, says the aim is to deliver a “fun, inclusive and welcoming” event, with tickets from £10 (including the cost of a drink).
Justin Stephenson, managing director of Fan parks London, said his firm had been working in collaboration with Lambeth council for 18 months but unless the go-ahead was received in the coming weeks then the event would have to be scrapped.
He told The Standard: “Our concern is that it’s at risk, primarily due to timing pressure.
“There needs to be a commitment to get [the application considered at] an April committee meeting, or to find another solution. If it’s not until June, we can’t do it.
“We are doing what we can to work constructively with all parties involved to find a way forward. We are in the hands of the council to help us find a way forward.
“The broader benefits to London, and particularly the local community, are huge.”
England’s group stage matches against Croatia and Ghana are not due to kick-off until 9pm, while the match against Panama will kick-off at 10pm.
Scotland’s game against Brazil is a 6pm kick-off but the match against Haiti starts at 9pm while the match against Morocco is an 11pm kick-off – meaning fans would not be leaving the site until around 1am.
Mr Stephenson said there would be “43 viewing occasions”, of which seven would extend beyond 11pm. The plan would be to stop selling alcohol just after half-time.
It is understood the commercial deal on offer would guarantee the council a six-figure fee plus a share of the profits – potentially netting it around £700,000.
Fan Parks believes it could attract football fans from different nationalities across London, such as the Portuguese community in Stockwell, and generate £1.5m for the London economy.
A planning application has been submitted to create the fan zone on the Lambeth side of Clapham Common for “up to 59 days” from June 1 until July 29, including fencing, giant screens and a public address system.
Fencing could be in place from June 4 to July 24. Up to 25,000 fans – including many standing – would be able to attend matches.
In a submission to the council, Ginny Sackur, chair of Clapham Southside Avenues Residents’ Association, said: “We object strongly to this application.”
She said approving the application would be a “reckless gamble” and she warned that up to 30,000 fans could be leaving or arriving between games, necessitating the temporary closure of Clapham Common and Clapham North Tube stations.
She said: “Having large crowds of people - many of whom will be inebriated - hanging around while waiting to access the underground is going to further exacerbate the noise and anti-social behaviour impacts on local residents.”
The Friends of Clapham Common said that due to “insurmountable” problems relating to the start time for many of the matches it opposed the application.
It said that between 51n and 59 days of exclusion from the site was “ excessive”, especially in the summer months when residents, including children, have the greatest need of the green space, and the common is busiest.
Another unnamed objector said the event, with amplified sound on up to 34 days including late night screenings, would breach Lambeth's own published noise guidance and statutory nuisance law.
“The proposal as designed creates foreseeable and serious risks of public disorder and crime,” the objector said.
A survey by the This is Clapham BID, which represents hundreds of businesses across the Clapham High Street commercial district, found almost two-thirds of respondents expected a negative impact on trade and 79% anticipate a rise in crime and anti social behaviour.
They fear the fan park would divert customers away from existing pubs and screening venues, many of which will rely on World Cup trade.
As one business said: “25,000 England fans let loose in Clapham will be dangerous and uncontrollable at best.”
Jeremy Keates, manager of This is Clapham BID, said: “The survey shows the proposed fan park poses significant risks and offers no benefits to the local economy or community.
“Without proper mitigation, it will undermine — not support — the businesses that form the backbone of Clapham’s nightlife and visitor economy.”
The Clapham Society said it was concerned at the amount of plastic waste that was likely to be generated but added: “On balance we believe Football Fest is likely to bring as much enjoyment to people on the common as it might detract from others’ enjoyment.”
Lambeth council has been approached for comment.
