Edgbaston Test supports return of crowds to live sporting events

BIRMINGHAM: The combination of lateral flow testing, medical consent forms and electronic ticketing allowed 60,000 fans to gather at Edgbaston Stadium to enjoy the LV= Insurance men’s Test match between England and New Zealand.

According to a press release, as part of the government’s Events Research Programme and without social distancing in place, 95 per cent of attendees entered Edgbaston through a digital ticket, which could be accessed via the new Edgbaston smart phone app. This app received 314,344 views across the four days of play for tickets, retail purchases, spectator information and food and beverage orders.

Having been enabled for food and drink click and collect orders and a delivery to seat option for disabled spectators, nearly 5,000 orders (around 10 per cent of total orders) were made across the four days of the Test match via the Edgbaston app, highlighting huge potential for future sporting events. All spectators were required to complete a Covid lateral flow test and to sign a medical consent form to secure entry to Edgbaston. They were asked to complete a further PCR Test within five days of their visit to support the Events Research Programme.

Stuart Cain, Chief Executive of Edgbaston, said: “We like to be innovative at Edgbaston and have invested heavily in the technology that supported this initial pilot. However, what we have done will provide part of the norm for future sporting events in having an app for stadium entry, for ordering food and drinks, merchandise sales and wait times.

“The spectators also played their part in completing their consent form and lateral flow tests, and in creating an atmosphere that we’ve not heard since our last major match days in 2019. We think we have proved that the system can work, but need the sports and live events industry moving again and ensuring that we see a return to full capacities as soon as possible.

“Having enjoyed things over these days, we ask spectators to play their part again by completing their post-event PCR test and supporting all parts of this government pilot.”

PCR tests were sent to the homes of all spectators in attendance with the request to return via a Royal Mail priority post box. The results will subsequently be analysed over the coming days.

Edgbaston also hosts four Birmingham Phoenix men’s and women’s matches in The Hundred and seven group Birmingham Bears group games in the Vitality Blast in the build-up to Finals Day on Saturday, 18 September.