Taylor Swift fans without tickets for her upcoming London shows at Wembley Stadium have been warned not to gather outside the venue to “soak up the atmosphere,” a practice known as “Tay-gating.”
This trend, which saw an estimated 40,000 fans gather outside her Munich concert last month, has been banned at Wembley following heightened security concerns. The warning comes after three concerts in Vienna were canceled due to a security threat involving a planned attack by an Islamic State supporter. Wembley officials have stated that non-ticket holders will be moved on, and strict security measures, including limits on bag sizes and prohibited items, will be enforced for Swift’s remaining UK shows.
“To support the safe entry and exit of everyone within the stadium, no one is allowed to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps at the front of the stadium,” read an update on the venue’s website. “Non-ticket holders will be moved on.”
Fans are only allowed one A4 size bag, with banned items including banners, umbrellas, glass or metal containers, iPads, laptops, aerosol sprays (including sunscreen) and signs larger than a sheet of A4 paper.
Security measures at Wembley had already been tightened following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, and strict security measures remain in place for the Eras tour.
Swift is scheduled to play five nights at Wembley, starting on Thursday, 15 August, which will bring her total performances at the venue to eight, equaling the record set by Take That in 2011. This will also make her the solo artist with the most shows at Wembley in a single tour, surpassing Michael Jackson’s seven performances during his 1988 Bad Tour.
The Eras Tour, a global phenomenon expected to generate over $2 billion in ticket sales when it wraps up in Canada this December.
It has seen Swift perform more than 100 dates across the world. Despite concerns following the Vienna incident, the Met Police assured fans that there is no indication of further threats, and robust security measures are in place to ensure the safety of attendees.
A spokesman said the police had worked “closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place.” They added: “As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review.”
The Wembley shows will feature an array of support acts, including Paramore, Sofia Isella, Holly Humberstone, Suki Waterhouse, Maisie Peters, and Raye.
Wembley’s official website also noted earlier start times for the upcoming Eras shows, after Swift added new support acts for each of the dates.
Doors will open each day between 15:30 and 15:45, with performances beginning at either 16:55 or 17:10, depending on the date.
Melissa Enoch
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