West Brom make changes at The Hawthorns, with safe standing being introduced, as fans suggest ways to improve atmosphere on matchdays.
The Championship outfit are turning an area of nearly 4,000 seats into rail seating for the 2025-26 season in the home and away areas of the upper Smethwick End, and the Millennium Corner.
The move comes following consultation with the Albion Assembly, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) and the club’s Safety Advisor Group with work to get underway in the summer.
We’re delighted to confirm safe standing will be installed at The Hawthorns ahead of the 2025/26 season. 🏟️
Get more information here! 👇
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 27, 2025
WEST BROM STATEMENT:
Albion are delighted to confirm safe standing will be installed at The Hawthorns ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Following consultation with the Albion Assembly, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) and the club’s Safety Advisory Group, the decision has been made to install safe standing this summer.
The works will see almost 4,000 seats in the home and away areas of the upper Smethwick End, as well as Millennium Corner, converted to safe standing.
There will be no change to the capacity of The Hawthorns – which will remain at 26,804 – with 3,864 safe standing positions.
Safe standing areas permit supporters to stand for the duration of a match. Standing is not required in these areas, however, supporters risk restricted pitch views if they are seated when surrounded by standing supporters. These areas are introduced to help keep supporters safer while standing and enhance the spectator experience.
Supporters who wish to relocate from the areas in which safe standing is to be installed will be given the opportunity to do so when season tickets go on sale.
Albion Managing Director Mark Miles said: “The club have long been advocates of safe standing and we are delighted to be introducing it to The Hawthorns for next season.
“Though the upper Smethwick End and Millennium Corner are expected to be very popular locations for safe standing, we understand it might not be for everyone, and we’ll ensure anyone who would like to relocate can do so.
“A lot has changed since The Hawthorns became an all-seater stadium almost 30 years ago, and we’re confident now is the right time to bring standing back in a safe and controlled way.”
WBATheRainbowStand, tweeted: “The Atmosphere at The Hawthorns
“Let’s be honest, the home atmosphere at The Hawthorns hasn’t been great for a while.
“Whether it’s fans leaving early, players getting booed, or just a general sense of negativity, we all know it needs to improve.
“Home atmospheres generally don’t match the energy of away days, and that’s true for most clubs.
“But atmosphere and performance go hand in hand.
“Exciting, attacking football breeds positivity, lifting moods and creating an atmosphere that pushes the team forward.
“Look at Newcastle under Mike Ashley and Bruce etc the football was dire, the crowd was flat, and their own fans would have said St James Park felt lifeless.
“But new owners came in, showed ambition, and suddenly, with better football, the atmosphere transformed almost overnight.
“Sadly, same can be said for that shower of claret sh*te down the road.
“We’ve all seen The Hawthorns rocking in recent years, playoffs, promotion battles, and big games under the lights. It proves the noise is there when there’s something to believe in.
A few things, I think could help: WI A proper standing and or singing section
– Fix the tannoy system
– Improve the fanzone—make it more than just a converted caravan with hefty beer prices.
– Improved access to public transport (not in our control)
– Bring back the pre-match DJ and better music selection
– Give young, passionate fans a voice at club/fan meetings
– Players giving 100O% every game (can’t believe I need to say this but it’s massive)
– Owners continuing to engage and invest in the club.
– Improve the half time experience.
– Fair pricing keeps fans inside the ground earlier and longer. Keep the bars open after the game.
– Visual Displays (Flags, Banners, Scarves). Previously I offered to lead on this as a fan donation based model, under Lai, the club said no.
– Attacking, Entertaining Football
– Clear Club Ambition and noticeable changes being made. (When fans believe in the club’s direction, they buy in)
Many of us still hold scars from that rat of a previous owner who I can’t bring myself to name. Not withstanding that, the support is there. The passion is there. We just need to bring it back to life.
– TWEET ENDS –
Twitter users reacted as West Brom make changes at The Hawthorns as fans suggest ways to improve atmosphere on matchdays…
@TheRainbowStand: Ball sprayed out wide to Fellows, who skips past his man with a trademark stopover, he lifts the ball to the far post… SHILEN PATEL!!!!!!!!!!!! This’ll be brilliant
@SilkyStapes: Some people don’t half like to moan. Some positive news and people still moaning. If you’re unhappy with the atmosphere then do something about it!
@warnerchief: Long overdue, hopefully improves the home atmosphere. Should also have a section of the stadium sectioned off for the fans who leave with 10-15 mins of the game left, it’s a sad view when you see all stands of the ground a quarter full when the full time whistle goes.
@uber_foods: I think this is a really positive move. And if it leads to more safe standing eventually being introduced in the Brummie Rd then great. Might also lead organically to the ‘singing’ section that’s been talked about as a way of improving the atmosphere #wba
@jakedf96: Next step. Take that Greggs back and turn it into a pub, keep some fanzone entertainment on also. Keep the bars open in the ground after the game / or of course if the Greggs becomes a pub keep that open. Fix/improve the sound system and improve pre game music #wba
@kingofchezo_WBA: It’s a start which is good and positive. I suspect this will eventually end up at the back of the Brummie if a success. Good to see though
@danwba_: Great news but Brummie needs it the most, the atmosphere with everyone standing would be so much better
@DexWBA__: Just what is needed imo. Hopefully this can be the start of improving things In and around the Hawthorns. Once again it’s so refreshing to have an owner who listens to us @shilensays 👏 #wba
@willburford11: Fantastic news ! Should hopefully improve the atmosphere but what I’m more impressed by is the people in charge listening to what fans want & doing something about it. They care 💙 #WBA
Not in the brummie pic.twitter.com/15gIod9QaY
— tomos 𓅨 (@TEwba268) February 27, 2025
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