Tay-gating: Wembley Stadium issues statement to fans hoping to gather outside venue without tickets for ‘Eras’ dates
Taylor Swift fans without tickets to her upcoming ‘Eras’ shows in London have been warned that they cannot stand outside Wembley Stadium’s entrance during the gigs.
It has become a trend for eager Swifties to gather outside venues where the singer is performing if they don’t have tickets to the sold-out shows. Known as ‘Tay-gating’, thousands often gather around the exterior of the venue as the pop star takes to the stage, singing along to the setlist and building friendships with like-minded fans.
It was famously seen on the second night of Swift’s shows in Munich last month, where an estimated 45,000 fans congregated on the hills outside Munich’s Olympiastadon during the show.
Now, organisers at Wembley Stadium have confirmed that ‘Tay-gating’ has been banned ahead of the upcoming London shows, and any fans found lingering around the venue without a ticket will be moved on.
“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 dedicated ‘Eras Tour’ webpage. “Non-ticket holders will be moved on.”
The same guidelines applied when Swift performed the first run of her London shows at the stadium earlier this summer – when she played three sold-out nights at Wembley in June – however it seems that the rules will be more strictly enforced given the recent events in Vienna.
Last week, All three of the pop star’s ‘Eras Tour’ shows in Vienna were cancelled, after it was revealed that two people had been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack during the gigs.
The ‘Midnights’ singer was set to play at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday (August 8), Friday (9) and Saturday (10), but event organiser Barracuda Music confirmed that it had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety”.
A 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and a second person in the Austrian capital. It was widely reported that the former had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The main suspect – who has not been named in line with Austrian privacy rules – fully confessed to planning a terror attack at one of the shows in Vienna. He had reportedly wanted to use knives or self-made explosives outside the Ernst Happel Stadium to kill as many people as possible (via Sky News). A police search of his house reportedly led to chemicals, explosives, knives and machetes being found.
It was later reported that a third suspect had been arrested by police in the area after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect.
There was some debate as to whether the shows in London would continue as scheduled given the circumstances, and police at Scotland Yard later confirmed that the remaining Wembley gigs should “not [be] impacted” by the Vienna terror plot.
Responding to the news that ‘Tay-gating’ would be barred for the forthcoming shows in the UK capital, fans have taken a largely understanding stance to the decision.
“It’s sad but it had to be done for people’s safety. It’s disappointing that this is the kind of world we live in, but we need to keep people safe, even if that sadly means no more grouping outside the stadium,” one fan wrote on X/Twitter. Another added: “This is necessary but still so sad. The sense of community that these shows have created for non-attendees is beautiful.”
A third shared (via Mirror): “I am really happy because I feel a lot safer now. I am pretty sad other people can’t experience the concert though… I went in the parking lot in Philly and it was one of the best times meeting so many people.”
Find more fan responses below.
It’s sad but it had to be done for peoples safety. It’s disappointing that this is the kind of world we live in, but we need to keep people safe, even if that sadly means no more grouping outside the stadium. I hate it, but I prefer it over people potentially dying.
— Lacey W. (@LGirl02) August 11, 2024
Had to be done. Now knowing what was planned in Vienna imagine what could’ve happened in Germany with 50k people outside. Great decision.
— PHILLY
(@phillychilly2) August 11, 2024
The only right decision. Because there is no way the authorities can check all the people outside to guarantee peoples safety.
— Be Kind (@BeKind458190) August 11, 2024
| This decision was made in order to ensure the safety and security of both fans attending the concert and the general public in the surrounding areas. It is important for everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience at the concert, and this measure will help to achieve that…
— 쥬니버셜 (@juniversechoi) August 11, 2024
The five upcoming shows will take place between August 15 and August 20, and will feature support from Raye, Holly Humberstone, Suki Waterhouse and Paramore.
In a five-star review of her UK ‘Eras Tour’ opener in Edinburgh, NME wrote: “Despite being an arena show, in a huge, cavernous venue, Swift and her fans have managed to cultivate a community.
“Strangers swap friendship bracelets, laugh and cry together, and embrace the tour’s in-jokes and lore (for example shouting “one, two, three, let’s go bitch” during ‘Delicate’). It’s the power of Swift, an artist who’s inspired not only the renaming of a Scottish Loch, but also countless fans to come out and embrace being a part of the Eras family.
“With the ‘Eras Tour’, then, Swift’s managed to craft a marvel of a show that comes with a beating heart.”
The post Tay-gating: Wembley Stadium issues statement to fans hoping to gather outside venue without tickets for ‘Eras’ dates appeared first on NME.
Liberty Dunworth
NME
