Guidance

Euro 2020 Events Research Programme matches: Ticket holder Q&A

Published 8 June 2021

What is the Events Research Programme?

The Events Research Programme aims to examine the risk of transmission of Covid-19 from attendance at events and explore ways to enable people to attend a range of events safely. 

To achieve this, the programme will explore how a combination of testing and non-pharmaceutical interventions (actions that people can take to mitigate the spread of coronavirus) can inform decisions on safely lifting restrictions at events. 

The current phase of the programme will also trial the NHS App at the first two EURO 2020 matches at Wembley Stadium on June 13 and June 18 as a way for ticket holders registered with a GP in England to display their negative Lateral Flow Test, or vaccine status.

 

What are you testing at EURO 2020?

As part of the Events Research Programme we will continue to test the use of negative Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) as part of test-on-entry protocols.

Ticket holders from England will be required to provide proof of a negative LFT demonstrated via a text message or email from NHS Test and Trace or via the NHS App. 

Or they can gain entry through proof of full vaccination - both doses received at least 14 days prior to the match demonstrated via the NHS App. 

The England games against Croatia on June 13 and Scotland on June 18 will test the NHS App to explore all possible ways of allowing greater numbers of fans to return to events as safely and efficiently as possible.

All other ticket holders (international and those from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) will be required to provide proof of a negative LFT in order to gain entry to the match. 

Will the NHS App be used for other events in the ERP?

The Events Research Programme is one of several reviews running in parallel with the International Travel, Social Distancing, and COVID-Status Certification reviews. 

Each of these reviews are aligned so that their research outcomes can inform wider policy development on reopening at step 4. 

In the first phase of ERP pilot events attendees were required to produce a negative Lateral Flow Test result for Covid-19, generally carried out in person at an Asymptomatic Test Site (ATS) either on the day, or on the day before, an event. 

In this phase, we are trialling the use of Lateral Flow At Home Testing as well as practicalities of the NHS App to explore all possible ways of allowing greater numbers of fans to return to events as safely and efficiently as possible.

The NHS App trial will be run at the EURO 2020 matches at Wembley on June 13 and June 18 with potential further trial dates to be announced in due course. 

What happens if someone refuses to show a negative test result or proof of vaccination status?

They will be denied entry.

Can under 16s attend EURO 2020?

Yes under 16s will be permitted to attend the event. Anyone aged 11 or older will need to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours of the match.

Can I use the NHS App to demonstrate I have been vaccinated if I have had only one vaccine dose?

No - you will need to have both doses of your vaccination at least 14 days prior to attending either match in order to demonstrate your vaccine status. 

What if I don’t have a smartphone?

You can have your vaccination status, or your negative Lateral Flow Test emailed to your email address and print out a PDF and bring the printed copy with you to Wembley Stadium.

Will alcohol be served at Wembley Stadium for EURO 2020 matches? 

Yes - the sale of alcohol will be permitted at the EURO 2020 matches. As at other football matches in England, you cannot consume alcohol in view of the pitch.

What happens if I don’t have the NHS App?

The NHS App is currently only available to users registered with a GP in England, with all other ticket holders required to produce a negative Lateral Flow Test in order to gain entry into Wembley. 

If you don’t have a smartphone you can generate your COVID-19 status via the NHS website (www.nhs.uk) if you have internet access. You will then be able to email this as a PDF attachment or print it directly from the website. 

If you don’t have internet access you can obtain a post-vaccination letter by calling 119. It can take up to seven working days for the letter to arrive. 

Ticket holders who don’t have the app, PDF or letter will be asked to demonstrate their COVID-19 status via a negative Lateral Flow Test.

Ticket holders who are registered with a GP in England have the option of either providing proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test via SMS text, email or pdf print out, or to display their vaccine status through the NHS App. 

What happens if I am travelling from abroad?

International ticket holders are also advised to follow existing international travel guidance, and must abide by any quarantine requirements.] There are no exemptions for EURO 2020 spectators. If you are coming to watch a match you must follow the appropriate regulations.

International ticket holders must complete their Passenger Locator Form before travelling to the UK, this will help ensure queues are kept to a minimum.

International ticket holders will be required to produce a negative Lateral Flow Test in order to gain entry to Wembley Stadium for the fixtures on June 13 and June 18.

International ticket holders have the option to attend an ATS in order to take an LFT. In some areas there is limited availability of ATS and therefore this may not always be possible. The locations of ATS that offer on-site testing can be found using the NHS site finder tool. 

International ticket holders can find a test site by [clicking here]{.ul} and applying filters under the heading “test site for people without symptoms”. A range of test sites are available across Greater London offering bookable and walk in services. 

International ticket holders may also choose to order their LFT test kits so that they can be used during the specific testing window. Tests will be self-administered and the results of the Lateral Flow Test are to be uploaded using the NHS self-report tool https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.

What happens if I am travelling from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

UK resident ticket holders (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) may choose to order Lateral Flow Tests for home delivery online at Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests. Tests will be self-administered and the results of the Lateral Flow Tests are to be uploaded using the NHS self-report tool.

UK resident ticket holders may have the option to attend an ATS in order to take an LFT. Ticket holders can find a test site and applying filters under the heading ‘test site for people without symptoms. 

UK resident ticket holders may have the option to attend a Test Collect Site or Pharmacy in order to collect LFTs for self-testing . Ticket holders will be required to undertake the test and then upload their  LFT result through the NHS online report tool.

UK resident ticket holders are also advised to follow existing domestic travel guidance. They should plan ahead, check before they travel and follow the guidance to travel safely.

UK residents will require a negative LFT result as a condition of entry to Wembley. They will order via LFT home test pre-event, conduct a home test and register/record their result to obtain a text/email notification. 

See more details on the NHS app.

If you live in Scotland, you can obtain your vaccination status.

If you live in Wales, you can request your vaccination status. It can take up to 10 working days for a certificate to arrive.

At this stage, there is no process for residents of Northern Ireland to show their vaccination status.

Will I be refused entry if I’m not vaccinated?

No - there is no mandatory requirement for ticket holders to be vaccinated. All ticket holders must provide proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test or display their vaccine status (providing they have had two doses, at least 14 days prior to the match) in order to gain entry to the stadium.

International ticket holders, and any from the UK unable to evidence their vaccine status those ticket holders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to provide proof in the form of a negative Lateral Flow Test. 

Where can I find more information on Lateral Flow Tests?

Information on Lateral Flow Tests, what they test and the role they play in helping manage COVID-19: Effectiveness of lateral flow antigen testing.

When can I take my Lateral Flow Test?

For England v Croatia on 13 June, you can take a Lateral Flow Test after 11am on Friday 11 June - tests taken before this time will not be valid for entry. 

For England v Scotland on 18 June, you can take a Lateral Flow Test after 5pm on Wednesday 16 June - tests taken before this time will not be valid or entry.

Can I perform my Lateral Flow Test at home?

Yes – you can order a Covid-19 lateral flow home test kit via the gov.uk website [here]{.ul}, or pick up your home test kit from your local pharmacy or Test Collect Site. 

Will I have to pay for Lateral Flow Tests?

No - the required testing for stadium entry is free.

How do I prove I’ve had a Lateral Flow Test?

Upon reporting your negative Lateral Flow Test result, you will receive a text or email from the NHS which needs to be presented to stewards on arrival at Wembley Stadium, prior to entry.

What should ticket holders do if they get a positive result from a Lateral Flow Test?

A positive result from a Lateral Flow Test means it’s likely that you had COVID-19 when the test was done. Ticket holders and anyone they live with must not attend the event and self-isolate immediately. Ticket holders are then advised to get a home PCR test (a test that is sent to a lab) to confirm their result as soon as possible. 

Where can ticket holders find their nearest asymptomatic testing site?

Ticket holders should check their local Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) site to ensure they can access a test site within the time frame expected. A few days before the event check your local ATS sites requirements for booking a Lateral Flow Test appointment. You can find out where your nearest ATS is.

Are all attendees required to undertake a Lateral Flow Test to gain entry?

Ticket holders under 11 years of age are exempt from any covid-19 testing requirements to gain entry for the matches at Wembley.

How will I display my status via the NHS App?

This service will only be available to those ticket holders registered with a GP in England. 

Once a user has downloaded the NHS App they are asked to set up an NHS login if they have not already done so. 

Please note that it can take up to seven days to verify your identity so we would recommend you do this as soon as possible before attending the match, however on average this is completed in a quicker time frame.

A user’s COVID-19 status will be displayed in two ways within the NHS App (‘Share your COVID-19 status’ - ‘View your COVID-19 status’): 

1. a green banner, will provide the user and the event staff with confirmation that the user has met one of the following criteria:

• Two vaccination doses and two weeks since second dose; or

• Negative Lateral Flow Test up to 48 hours old (both home and test site tests are eligible)

2. The banner will be orange if a user does not meet the above criteria and will demonstrate that: 

• User does not have two vaccination doses two weeks prior to the game; or

• There is no registered negative Lateral Flow Test up to 48 hours old

Users will also be able to generate a PDF document showing their COVID-19 status which can be sent via email and printed out. 

What happens if I don’t have the NHS App, or my vaccine records are not shown within the NHS App?

You must take a Lateral Flow Test and show proof of a negative result via SMS text or email upon entry to the stadium. 

Will EURO 2020 be socially distanced and are face coverings required?

Any EURO 2020 matches at Wembley occurring within Step 3 of the UK Government’s  roadmap will be socially distanced, allowing spectators to retain at least 1 metre distance from others. Ticket holders must ensure that face coverings are worn at all times, including when seated in the stadium bowl.

  See also A guide to using the NHS App for EURO 2020 matches.