Couldn’t read the full article, but does anyone know if it increases capacity vs seating?
I’m assuming not, in which case I struggle to see the point of it.
Fans will be allowed to stand in selected Premier League and Championship stadiums this season for the first time in more than 25 years as part of a trial of safe standing.
The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) has invited clubs in the top two divisions to apply to have pilots of safe standing from January 1.
Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Cardiff City and Bristol City are among those whose stadiums would be able to accommodate safe standing areas the easiest. Other clubs would need to carry out stadium adjustments for standing areas.
Nigel Huddleston, the sports minister, said: “We have been clear that we will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing at football grounds providing there was evidence that installing seating with barriers would have a positive impact on crowd safety.
“With independent research now complete, and capacity crowds back at grounds across the country, now is the right time to make progress. I look forward to hearing from clubs who wish to be part of our early-adopters programme during the second half of this season.”
Clubs have until October 6 to apply to the SGSA and, if approved, they will be able to offer licensed standing areas from January 1.
The criteria are as follows:
•The necessary infrastructure must be in place — such as seats with barriers/independent barriers — which must be in both home and away sections.
•Fans must be able to sit or stand in the safe standing area — the seats cannot be locked in the “up” or “down” position. There must also be one seat/space per person.
•The standing areas must not impact the viewing standards or other fans, including disabled fans.
•There must be a code of conduct in place for fans in the licensed standing area.
•The ground must consult with its Safety Advisory Group about plans for the licensed standing areas.
Martyn Henderson, chief executive of the SGSA, said: “We know many fans want the choice to stand and, with the advent of new engineering solutions, our research has shown how this can be managed safely. Today’s announcement will enable us to properly test and evaluate licensed standing areas before the government decides its next steps.”
It follows a review by the organisation which looked at trials of safe standing areas at Celtic and how safe standing works in Germany’s Bundesliga. Research conducted during the 2019-20 season, before the onset of the pandemic, found that seats with barriers/independent barriers helped reduce the safety risks related to persistent standing.
The FA, the Premier League and the EFL have agreed that safe standing should be permitted if agreed by local authorities.
In 2018, the SGSA changed its guidance so clubs can install “safe seating” with flip seats, which effectively creates a safer environment for fans to stand if they wish.
Tottenham’s new stadium was built with a large section of “safe seating” and will almost certainly be involved in any pilot.
The all-seater policy was brought in for Premier League and Championship stadiums after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
A government study in 2019 concluded that more robust evidence was needed before the law could be changed.
Plans to hold pilots last season were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic, which meant matches were held without any fans for most of the games.
In 1994, the law in England changed to require all fans in English and Welsh stadiums to sit throughout the match, but in some sections of stadiums fans have always continued to stand leading to concerns that it is less safe than designated standing areas.
The Conservatives’ 2019 general-election manifesto promised to work towards the introduction of safe standing areas.
About 3,000 Celtic fans have been allowed to make use of a safe standing section since 2016.
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and add later how great watching football in Germany is because you can sleep standing up. 
