Standing areas in large stadiums: 5 standing places instead of 3 seats

Italian fan groups propose replacing seated sections with safe standing areas in large stadiums, a model already used in 42 English grounds; Genoa's Ferraris could gain 2,800 extra places.

Fan associations in Italy have proposed introducing safe standing areas in major stadiums, replacing traditional seating with barrier-equipped standing zones at a ratio of five standing places for every three seats removed. The proposal was presented to parliament last week and at a Genoa event over the weekend by the Associazione Club Genoani, with support from Federtifosi and the Italian Football Supporters Federation.

Proponents argue that stadium terraces are already de facto standing areas despite installed seats, and that barriers provide safer support than wet or slippery seating. They reference the successful English model, which began as a pilot in 2022 with five clubs—Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham—and has since expanded to 42 stadiums with over 200,000 barrier-equipped places after independent evaluation.

At Genoa's Ferraris stadium, the proposal could recover 800 places lost in planned renovation work and add 2,000 more, totalling 2,800 additional spaces. This would ease access to affordable tickets in popular sections where subscriptions are nearly exhausted. The main obstacle remains a 1996 Italian ministerial decree effectively banning standing areas in large stadiums, though political support appears bipartisan. The initiative gains added weight ahead of Euro 2032, for which Italy has bid five stadiums.