UEFA blocks standing tickets at Euro 2032, but Abodi opens the debate

Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, responding to the Chamber during Question Time on a query from Luca Pastorino, announced the possibility of starting a discussion on safe standing places, while UEFA, following the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies, confirms the ban for the larger stadiums and for Euro 2032.

Limits of Italian legislation

Abodi recalled the current limits: “In Italian legislation this possibility is prohibited for larger stadiums.”

UEFA, after the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies, has maintained for decades a very strict ban.

UEFA exemptions and Euro 2032

The trial carried out between 2022 and 2024 has allowed UEFA to foresee some exemptions, but with a heavy exception: “This exemption is not provided for the Euro 2032 Football Championships.”

The most immediate case is the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa, a candidate to host the tournament; the renovation project does not include standing places and, according to Abodi, “it could not be otherwise” due to constraints linked to the European bid.

Abodi declared full willingness to sit down at a table with all interested parties, but indicated a clear alternative: “Either participate in the competition for Euro 2032 or choose a different path by exiting the procedure.”

He also acknowledged some reasons in favor of standing zones, including greater economic sustainability of tickets and the involvement of younger fans.

The discussion can therefore start, but “it must set aside what it will lead to for the Euro 2032.”