Euro 2020: Wembley could hold 90,000 fans for the final under Government plans

90,000 fans could pack Wembley for the Euro 2020 final in July under Government plans to create NHS app that shows who has been vaccinated or tested negative for coronavirus

  • Government is developing the existing NHS app to record vaccination or negative tests so sports events can have full houses
  • Ministers have sanctioned an extensive testing programme for the spring 
  • Scientists will monitor spread of virus in crowds before increasing numbers 

The showpiece Euro 2020 final at Wembley in July could be played in front of a full-house of 90,000 fans under plans to create an app that shows who has been vaccinated or tested negative for coronavirus.

Ministers are pushing for a full-capacity Wembley at the showpiece final on July 11, which they hope will show Europe that post-Brexit Britain is fighting fit.

A programme of research events is being established to test how Covid spreads in crowds where people have received vaccinations or tested positive.

Government plans to test the safety of crowds and increase capacities at sports events

According to The Sun, the existing NHS COVID-19 app, which has already been downloaded 20million times, could be adapted to show that people have been vaccinated or tested negative for Covid prior to an event.

A source told the newspaper: ‘There are people actively working on adding it as a function. It would be the easiest thing to do as so many people already have it.

‘The app’s been seen as a bad thing — that you might get pinged — but this usage would definitely be for good.’ 

Wembley Stadium could be packed with 90,000 fans for the Euro 2020 final on July 11

Wembley Stadium could be packed with 90,000 fans for the Euro 2020 final on July 11

If Government scientists can prove vaccination and testing can limit the transmission of coronavirus at events in April and May, then Britain’s summer of sport, which includes a full international cricket programme, Wimbledon, the Euros and continues right through to the Rugby World Cup in the autumn, will be back on in front of fans.

Sportsmail understands the tests would start small and gradually be ramped up, with extensive analysis after each event.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson published his roadmap to lifting lockdown restrictions.

The four-step process includes allowing up to 10,000 spectatots to attend large events from May 17 in step three and  raises the possibility of capacity crowds from June 21 in step four.

Yesterday, on a visit to south London, the Prime Minister said he was ‘very optimistic’ all restrictions would be lifted by June 21 because the vaccination programme had created ‘immense possibilities’.  

Johnson has spoken of ‘deep and complex issues’ around demanding vaccine passports to allow entry to events. However, the Government is believed to be considering combining vaccination and testing to certify someone is virus-free.