![]() James Lambert, president of the Screaming Eagles supporters’ group that has backed D.C. It just made sense to get them something they really want and deserve.” “We’ve got a very great, passionate fan base. United’s chief business officer Andy Bush, the conversion was essential. Though Audi Field didn’t start off with a safe standing section, it has converted two north end sections of the stadium to safe standing for the 2020 season. “I think we’ve been pretty good on the club side to make sure people are taking up just the right amount of space, to make room for everybody so they can join the thunderous noise that comes from that area.” Borrell notes that supporters helped make them aware of how to better involve ADA patrons, with widened promontories in the middle of the section allowing wheelchair users to be more part of the action. And while Justin Borrell, general manager of Allianz Field for MNUFC, is happy with how the section has served fans so far, he’s in contact with fans and front office colleagues to improve the collective experience. You feel freer to express yourself.”Īllianz’s section is the steepest in the league, at a 34.9 degree incline, and its Wonderwall nickname - from the song Loons fans sing after home wins - might be the best in the league. Your attention’s not being taken away by … this person behind me might fall over. “It makes you feel better in the space,” Karnik says of Allianz Field’s safe standing section. “It makes you feel more like you’re in the game. Dark Clouds capo Nach Karnik, part of the contingent cheering on Minnesota United in Allianz Field, notes considerable contrasts from their two prior homes. ![]() Orlando City fans enjoying their first-of-a-kind safe standing section | USA Today Sports Imagesįor supporters, the added space from taking out seats and the rail features allow them to cheer with more physicality than they could in more confined areas. “We just made sure they all had the cupholders for their beers, and for their water, to stay hydrated.” “Our supporters, they scream, they chant, they play the drums for the whole 90 minutes,” Pollastri said. From there, the front office researched existing stadiums, talked to league officials, and created a steeply-graded safe standing section with rails and cupholders for nearly 4,000 fans (photo below). OCSC chief operator officer Fred Pollastri notes that the team’s supporters clamored for a safe standing section from the outset to create a better home-field advantage. But Orlando City created the first large-scale safe standing section in North America when Exploria Stadium opened in 2017. The San Jose Earthquakes' home, Earthquakes Stadium, technically has a standing zone for supporters dubbed the “Supporters Terrace,” between the southwest goal and a seated section which holds between 500-600 people. Premier League stadiums, meanwhile, have opted for all-seated stadiums per league requirements, though there is talk that may change in the near future. German clubs in particular are known for heavy utilization of safe standing sections, including in Borussia Dortmund’s “yellow wall.” Scottish giants Celtic debuted rail seating that can be converted to safe standing in 2016 in its home stadium. Standing at stadiums used to be commonplace throughout the soccer world, and now are making a comeback through the construction of safe standing sections. United have transformed a portion of Audi Field into safe standing for the new season, the New York Red Bulls have done the same at Red Bull Arena, and the Inter Miami Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, on the site of historic Lockhart Stadium, will debut with safe standing for fans of the new club. The other three stadiums debuting safe standing in 2020: D.C. While the design allows for seats to be locked into position to make Victoria Block a safe standing section for Galaxy matches, they can be folded down to create a seated section for other international soccer and sports events, including the XFL season. ![]() The transformation happened quickly over five weeks, with Galaxy players helping to put the finishing touches on the section. ![]() “It started with our supporters, who wanted it for a long time, and the club finally found a way to move forward with it,” said Galaxy VP Brendan Hannan. In the case of the Galaxy, the fans who occupy the north end of the stadium had a role in making the new "Victoria Block" happen. There are four more safe standing sections debuting in 2020 alone with the LA Galaxy becoming the latest MLS club to launch one at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy's home since it opened in 2003. The growth of supporters culture in Major League Soccer over the years has brought with it a change to the stadium sections they call home. Standing is the new sitting, at least for some MLS supporters. ![]()
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