Skip to content

Terracing

Terracing at EFL League 1 and 2 grounds must meet specific SGSA standards.

Football grounds in Leagues 1 and 2 are able to offer standing accommodation (terracing) under the SGSA licence.

However, if the club has been in the Premier League or Championship for over three seasons in total since 1993/94, they must be all-seater or offer licensed standing.

For a SGSA licence to be granted for terracing accommodation, the layout must meet the following requirements:

  • comprises continuous crush barriers between radial gangways, as outlined and illustrated in the Green Guide
  • is such that all spectators are within 12 metres of a gangway or exit as measured along a line of unobstructed travel from the viewing position of the Green Guide
  • the spacing, strength and construction of all the crush barriers conform to the Green Guide
  • the height and positioning of all the crush barriers are in accordance with the Green Guide

It should be assumed that level standing areas or non-stepped sloping areas will not be licensed for spectator use.

A club which has spent less than three years in the Football League will have up to the beginning of their fourth season in the league to bring their terracing up to the prescribed standard or take it out of use.

Where a National League club is proposing to undertake any work to replace or upgrade any area of terracing at its ground it would be sensible to consider how to ensure that the work is in line with the above standards.

Although the SGSA’s regulatory role does not extend to the clubs in the National League we work with clubs identify work which will be necessary to bring any standing accommodation up to the standard required to secure a licence. 

Learn more

Advice for National League clubs

Learn more

Stay up to date