After 18 months away and despite the continued presence of COVID-19, fans are confident about returning to full capacity stadiums, but worried about transport to and from the ground and split over mandatory testing to gain entrance.
The results come from our latest annual survey of fan opinion, this time completed by a record 8,358 people. The survey was open from 9 to 18 June 2021. With clubs and the football authorities currently discussing the return to stadiums, we thought it was timely to release figures on this important issue ahead of the full survey results being published at the start of August.
The results come from our latest annual survey of fan opinion, this time completed by a record 8,358 people. The survey was open from 9 to 18 June 2021. With clubs and the football authorities currently discussing the return to stadiums, we thought it was timely to release figures on this important issue ahead of the full survey results being published at the start of August.
Asked how they were feeling about returning to a full-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this August, 82% of UK-based respondents said they were feeling confident or very confident. Asked what measures would boost those feelings of confidence inside the stadium, respondents listed:
We asked how people felt about mandatory COVID-19 testing as a pre-condition to attending Spurs games next season. Some 43% of UK based respondents strongly agreed or agreed, with 31% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing and 26% neither in agreement or disagreement. So that’s a proportion in favour, but evidence of a division of opinion.
Considering which aspects of a match day concerned fans the most, transport to and from the stadium was the biggest by far, with 44% of UK-based respondents citing travel as a worry, followed by the management of concourse and refreshment areas inside the ground at 33% and leaving the stadium after the game at 28%.
With this in mind, we wanted to know how people felt about getting to and from the stadium. Most still intend to use the London Underground, but the percentage saying they would use it fell to 48% from 56%. Those planning on using London Overground fell from 45% to 40%, with National Rail usage dipping from 44% pre-pandemic to 39% post. With car use staying steady at 41%, there’s evidence of a slight shift away from public transport, with more people saying they will use cab services. That’s obviously going to present a challenge for planners with CPZs and road closures in place on event days.
We’ll be sharing the full findings from this section of our survey with the Club, Premier League and Haringey Safety Advisory Group as we look to work together to ensure a safe and practical return of fans next season.
For fans wanting to have a further say on the matter, the Football Supporters’ Association is currently running a short survey on the Return to Grounds and would love to hear from you. You can participate in the FSA survey here.
THST Board
15 July 2021
- Hand-sanitising stations (52%)
- Proof of vaccination (48%)
- Better queue management (45%)
- Temperature checks (30%)
- Compulsory mask wearing (28%)
We asked how people felt about mandatory COVID-19 testing as a pre-condition to attending Spurs games next season. Some 43% of UK based respondents strongly agreed or agreed, with 31% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing and 26% neither in agreement or disagreement. So that’s a proportion in favour, but evidence of a division of opinion.
Considering which aspects of a match day concerned fans the most, transport to and from the stadium was the biggest by far, with 44% of UK-based respondents citing travel as a worry, followed by the management of concourse and refreshment areas inside the ground at 33% and leaving the stadium after the game at 28%.
With this in mind, we wanted to know how people felt about getting to and from the stadium. Most still intend to use the London Underground, but the percentage saying they would use it fell to 48% from 56%. Those planning on using London Overground fell from 45% to 40%, with National Rail usage dipping from 44% pre-pandemic to 39% post. With car use staying steady at 41%, there’s evidence of a slight shift away from public transport, with more people saying they will use cab services. That’s obviously going to present a challenge for planners with CPZs and road closures in place on event days.
We’ll be sharing the full findings from this section of our survey with the Club, Premier League and Haringey Safety Advisory Group as we look to work together to ensure a safe and practical return of fans next season.
For fans wanting to have a further say on the matter, the Football Supporters’ Association is currently running a short survey on the Return to Grounds and would love to hear from you. You can participate in the FSA survey here.
THST Board
15 July 2021