Safe standing areas are now in place at
Pride Park Stadium.
It was announced earlier this month that work had begun to install independent safe standing barriers and they were in place for the first time when Derby faced Wycombe Wanderers in Sky Bet League One on 16th December 2023.
The independent barriers have been fitted in the entire upper tier of the South Stand for a total of 2,767 supporters.
Work has also started in the upper section of the South East Corner for visiting supporters, with 2,341 spaces in total being allocated to take the total across the stadium to 5,108.
The existing seats have remained in place in the selected areas and the independent barriers have simply been an addition to the current set-up and should not be confused with rail seats.
Safe standing areas are licensed by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and fans must be able to sit or stand, while the seats cannot be locked in the 'up' or 'down' position. There must also be one seat/space per person and licensed safe standing areas must not impact the viewing standards of other fans, including disabled supporters.
Stewards and staff have been briefed and are being additionally trained to ensure that only relevant ticket holders are admitted to the licensed safe standing areas. In addition, CCTV will offer full coverage of the licensed standing areas to be closely monitored.
Season Ticket Holders impacted by the installation of the independent barriers have been contacted directly via the email address registered to their Fan ID and supporters are advised to arrive in plenty of time to ensure they are in the stadium and in their allocated space for kick-off.
Supporters in the licensed standing areas will be required to follow a Code of Conduct, which can be found below, and continue to adhere to Derby County’s ground regulations, which can viewed here: dcfc.co.uk/media/get/Ground%20Regulations%2023-24.pdf.
Safe Standing Introduction
RamsTV spoke to Simon Wake from Stadia by GL events, who have overseen the installation process at Pride Park Stadium, and Wendy Harnan-Kajzer from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to discuss the installation of the independent barriers and what it will mean for supporters.
The video can be viewed in full below.
Attending A Fixture In Derby County’s Safe Standing Areas
Below is a short information guide for those supporters who will be situated in the safe standing areas of Pride Park Stadium.
Safe Standing Code of Conduct
Derby County Football Club (the “Club”) will introduce licensed standing areas for domestic fixtures.
All supporters wishing to attend domestic fixtures in licensed standing areas are required to comply with this Code of Conduct at all times, and we ask that you read all of the information below.
The Code of Conduct does not replace any other ground rules but shall include (but not be limited to) the club’s Ticketing Terms & Conditions, which can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/ticketing-useful-information.
Any non-compliance with this Code may result in sanctions being applied, including but not limited to non-admittance or ejection from the stadium and/or the Club losing the right to maintain licensed standing areas.
When attending the match in licensed standing areas, please:
- Always have your ticket available for any necessary secondary ticket checks.
- Continue to follow the instructions of stewards and other staff, who are there to ensure your safety and an enjoyable experience for everyone.
- Behave appropriately in the stand and please be respectful to others. Anti-social behaviour or any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment will not be tolerated.
- Do not stand or climb on the independent barriers or seat. The licensed standing infrastructure is there to keep you and other supporters safe.
- Unless needing to use facilities, do not move around in the safe standing area – your ticket is for your allocated space only.
- Do not stand in the gangways or on the steps to watch the match – these are for accessing and leaving your seat only.
Safe Standing At Pride Park Stadium FAQs
What is safe standing and how will this work?
Safe standing areas are licensed by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and supporters must be able to sit or stand, while the seats cannot be locked in the up or down position. There must also be one seat /space per person and licensed safe standing areas must not impact the viewing standards of other supporters, including disabled supporters. This will be done by the installation of independent safe standing barriers.
Were supporters consulted regarding safe standing?
Yes, this was discussed at a Supporters Charter Group meeting earlier this year, that the club was involved in detailed discussions with the relevant authorities around safe standing.
What areas of the stadium will safe standing be implemented?
The whole upper tier of the South Stand and the upper tier of the South-East corner for visiting supporters.
What date will Safe Standing be available from?
The home game against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 16th December 2023 in Sky Bet League One.
Will the capacity of the stadium increase with safe standing?
No, the capacity of the stadium will remain the same and supporters must stick to their allocated numbered place within their allocated block.
Is it still possible to sit in the proposed safe standing areas?
Yes, Pride Park will remain an all-seater stadium, but the club expects that the majority of supporters will stand during matches in these areas of the stadium.
Can I opt to move my season ticket out of the South Stand if I do not wish to stay in the safe standing area?
Yes, relocations are available via the Ticket Office. An additional charge may be required if moving to more expensive areas within the stadium.
I have concerns regarding safe standing, what can I do?
Supporters with any concerns about their seat or safety at Pride Park should contact the Ticket Office directly on [email protected] or the club’s Supporter Liaison Officer on [email protected].
More Information
More details in relation to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s licensed standing at football grounds can be found at: sgsa.org.uk/licensedstanding.
