Earlier this month, the 2021 Carabao Cup Final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur was confirmed as part the UK Government’s Events Research Programme, a series of scientific pilot events that will help gather insight and evidence to help get big crowds back this summer.
With 8,000 people permitted to attend Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25 April (4.30pm), the Carabao Cup Final will be the first football fixture to have club supporters back this year, marking a welcome return for the English professional game. The EFL is pleased to participate in the Events Research Programme as we seek a full return of fans to stadia for the start of next season.
Having worked extensively with authorities, the EFL can confirm that 2,000 tickets will be allocated to each Finalist club (4,000 total) with the remaining allocation split between groups including Brent residents and NHS staff as a thank-you for the unwavering support that has been provided throughout the pandemic.
Further information regarding ticketing for club supporters is now available on club websites which Manchester City fans can access here and Tottenham Hotspur fans here.
As part of the Events Research Programme, anybody seeking to attend the fixture should familiarise themselves with important information regarding eligibility for attendance, as set out by the UK Government:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE ATTENDEES
The pilot events will incorporate research studies to gather evidence on the risks associated with coronavirus transmission, the characteristics of events and surrounding activities, and the extent to which mitigation measures can effectively address these risks
Mandatory requirements are as follows:
- In order to attend the Carabao Cup Final and participate in the UK Government’s ERP, fans will be required to complete a consent form, which will be sent to all those successful in applying for a ticket via clubs.
- Anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted to apply for a ticket to or attend this fixture.
- Supporters that are clinically extremely vulnerable or pregnant should not apply for tickets to this fixture.
- All match attendees must undertake a lateral flow COVID-19 test 24 hours prior to attending the match and bring proof of a negative result (SMS text message or e-mail) with you to gain entry to the stadium, without exception.
- It is the responsibility of attendees to organise a lateral flow test, which can be done by visiting the Government’s website. For the avoidance of doubt, this test must be carried out at a rapid lateral flow test site - a lateral flow test taken at home will not be accepted. This service is free to use.
Additional asks include:
- To aid Government research, participants are requested to undertake a PCR COVID-19 home test prior to the event.
- Participants are also requested to undertake a PCR COVID-19 home test again five days after the event. Details of how to order your free PCR at home tests will be provided to successful applicants prior to the event.
Travel
To enable safe attendance at the Carabao Cup Final, travel criteria has been produced in consultation with DCMS, Public Health England, Brent Council, The FA and all transport stakeholders (TFL, Network Rail, Chiltern Railway, Avanti Westcoast, BTP, Met Police, Highways England and Brent Council Highways Team).
- Spectators travelling by designated and pre-arranged services (train or coach) will be required to show proof of a negative lateral flow device test prior to boarding.
- In order to mitigate the risk of transmission and manage the customer journey, fans travelling from Manchester are being assigned to specific travel modes – this includes coach, rail and car.
- Assigned travel for spectators is mandated for those outside of Greater London in order to support Club Fans attendance, at this scale, for this event.
For further information, EFL ticketing Conditions of Issue can be accessed here.