Sports clubs and grounds
Rugby and football clubs that draw a crowd, and clubhouses that host big functions, should check where they sit.
A sports club or ground is in scope if it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people at once at its busiest normal times, such as match days or big functions. 200–799 is standard tier and 800+ is enhanced. Volunteers often fill the roles, so procedures need to be simple and role-based.
What does it mean for you?
- Match-day and function-night numbers are the ones to plan for.
- Stewards and bar volunteers need the code phrase and their role.
- Open grounds make lockdown different: think about the clubhouse as the invacuation space.
- Governing bodies may issue sport-specific guidance.
The four procedures are explained on the standard tier page, tiers on which tier am I in, and there is a checklist and a worked example.
Before you pay anyone: the Home Office says premises do not need to buy consultancy to meet the standard tier, and its guidance, the SIA’s guidance and the ProtectUK training are free. Neither the Home Office nor the SIA endorses any provider, including us. The legal responsibility stays with the person responsible for the premises; we help with the work, we do not take the duty off you.
What do the four procedures look like in a sports club?
Evacuation: stewards directing spectators away from the threat and the main gate.
Invacuation: into the clubhouse and changing rooms.
Lockdown: clubhouse doors and turnstiles.
Communication: the PA, stewards' radios and a message for away supporters.
What are the common gaps?
- Volunteer stewards who have never seen the plan.
- Match-day numbers underestimated.
- Function nights forgotten.
Want a second pair of eyes on it?
Send the venue type, the most people you would expect in at once, and how many sites you run. We will tell you which tier you look to be in and whether the free route is enough before quoting anything.
Common questions
Our ground is open land with a clubhouse. What counts?
Scope is based on qualifying premises. Where most spectators are on open land, the clubhouse and any stands or buildings are the key part. Record how you worked out your numbers.