Wembley Stadium applies to increase number of major events

Plans have been put forward to Brent Council on May 15 to increase the number of times major events can take place at the 90,000 seat English National Stadium.

An event ‘cap’ was originally introduced after the original stadium was demolished and replaced with its modernised look, limiting the number of major sporting events held at the stadium to 22 and non-sporting events to 15 a year.

Singer Taylor Swift is performing eight times at Wembley this year, on June 21, 22 and 23, and August 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20.

Unlimited additional events were permitted, as long as the number of spectators was below 51,000.

It has been proposed that a revised event cap is introduced which removes reference to ‘sporting’ and ‘non-sporting’ events, to provide “additional flexibility”.

Instead the overall event cap could increase by eight events, from 46 to 54.

Ed Sheeran performing in 2022 at Wembley Stadium (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

The plan suggests to limit the number of association football matches – including women’s games – to 25 games.

It also revises the definition of what attendance number constitutes a major event to reflect the public transport capacity now available for visitors to the stadium.

And temporary traffic measures shall be provided for no more than 54 events per calendar year, unless a scheme for an alternative number is approved by the local planning authority.

There have been a few moments that the cap was temporarily revised, for example when Tottenham Hotspur played an additional 22 games between August 2017 and July 2018.

Crowds at the November 2023 England V Malta game at Wembley Stadium (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

The planning application references the thriving music scene during ‘concert seasons’ between June and August, with acts such as Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Beyonce and Taylor Swift selling out the stadium on multiple occasions.

It stated: “Concerts and other non-football events are an increasingly important component of the stadium’s business model, with significant and direct economic benefits from each concert into Brent’s local economy.

“Despite continued demand for concerts at the stadium, with the attendance at Wembley averaging at 72,500 per event since 2014, there is strong and growing competition between stadiums and other venues both within and outside London.”

It’s estimated that each additional event will generate £4.5million of economic benefits for Brent and create between 33,200 to 44,000 additional positions for event staff.

The planning statement concluded: “The revised event cap will help to realise additional economic and cultural benefits for the local area and reinforce London’s global city status.

“This application should therefore be supported, and planning permission granted without delay.”

Anyone wishing to share their thoughts on the application is asked to click the 'make comment's tab' on the Brent Planning Portal, or email planning.comments@brent.gov.uk providing the application number, your name and postal address. Reference number: 24/1329.

Comments must be made by June 24.