Safe Standing Installation at West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns Stadium

Location: The Hawthorns Stadium, Birmingham Road Stand
Project: Installation of Safe Standing Independent Barriers
Capacity: 3,869 independent barriers for both home and away fans

West Bromwich Albion needed almost 4,000 safe standing positions installed in the Birmingham Road Stand quickly, efficiently, and without reducing capacity. We worked with the club before the end of the season to ensure every rail was manufactured and stored at our facility, ready to go. The moment the final whistle blew, we moved in, dispatched the rails, and completed the entire installation in just seven days.

The expertise of our team shone through in every detail, from planning through to execution, showcasing why Stadia is the premier choice for safe standing projects.

 

“Once the contract was signed, pre-drilling took place between matches and the actual install was completed in 7 days. Much simpler than I ever imagined.” – Howard Lewis-Jones – Head of Security, Facilities and Matchday Operations

 

This was the club’s first project with us – but they chose Stadia after seeing our work at other grounds and hearing strong recommendations from industry contacts. Competitive pricing was also an important factor in their decision-making process.

Seamless Project Flow

Because the club proactively engaged with the team before the end of the football season we could proactively plan and prepare well in advance of the work:

• Components were manufactured on schedule and stored in-house, ensuring they were ready immediately after the season ended.
• As soon as access was granted, our team deployed swiftly and installation was completed in just seven days.
• We installed custom monochrome barriers to blend perfectly with the stand’s aesthetic design.
• By relocating the back row of seats we ensured there was no reduction in capacity 
• We added segregation barriers between home and away sections for clear crowd management.

Every element of the installation was fully compliant with the Green Guide from the outset, meaning the project passed without any issues or remedial work. This level of compliance and precision helped ensure the club could maintain its operating licence without additional scrutiny.

“The moving across of the back rows of seats prevented the loss of any capacity.” — Head of Security, Facilities and Matchday Operations, 

“When a club is this well-prepared, we can move from planning to completion with precision and speed  it’s how great partnerships deliver great results.”  Simon Wake, Business Development Manager, Stadia by GL events

Early engagement allows us to line up manufacturing, storage, and logistics, so the moment access is possible, installation can start immediately, easing the pressure on clubs to have work completed before the new season begins. 

Project Highlights

• GL-B Safe Standing independent barrier – strong, durable, and designed for safety.
• In-house storage meant everything was ready for immediate dispatch as soon as the stadium was accessible.
• Seven-day installation from first drill to final check, with zero disruption to club operations.
• Custom monochrome finish to perfectly match the stand’s visual identity.
• Capacity maintained through clever seat relocation, ensuring no loss of spectator numbers.
• Segregation barriers for clear, safe separation of home and away supporters.

The system provides generous spacing and excellent sightlines for supporters, whether standing or seated, creating a safe and enjoyable matchday environment for all.