Taylor Swift fans who don’t have tickets to her upcoming London shows have been warned they cannot stand outside Wembley Stadium to soak up the atmosphere.
It’s become a trend for eager Swifties to gather where she’s playing, even if they can’t get into the show — a practice known as “Tay-gating.”
In Munich last month, around 40,000 people gathered on a nearby hillside to see the star in action.
But after a security threat led to cancellation After three shows in Vienna last week, Wembley Stadium banned the practice for the remaining UK dates.
“To support the safe entry and exit of everyone within the stadium, no one is permitted 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 transferred.”
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.
Fans will only be allowed to carry one A4-sized bag, with prohibited items including banners, umbrellas, glass or metal containers, iPads, laptops, aerosol sprays (including sunscreen) and posters larger than an A4 sheet of paper.
Swift will play five nights at Wembley, starting on Thursday, August 15.
Combined with the three dates she already played in July, Swift will equal a record set by Take That, who played the venue for eight dates on their 2011 Progress tour.
Swift will also surpass Michael Jackson to become the solo artist with the most Wembley shows on a single tour. The King of Pop performed seven shows at the stadium during his 1988 Bad Tour.
Failed suicide attack
The star’s Eras Tour is a global phenomenon that is on track to make more than $2 billion (£1.5 billion) in ticket sales when it ends in Canada in December.
The singer plays hits from her 18-year career, in a setlist that lasts more than three hours.
She had played more than 100 shows without incident before last week’s shows in Austria.
The concerts were canceled at the last minute after authorities said they had thwarted a plan by a supporter of the Islamic State group to carry out a suicide attack.
Three suspects, aged between 17 and 19, were arrested. Austrian security officials said they planned to “carry out an attack with explosives and knives.”
Fans feared the London dates could be affected by events in Austria, but the Metropolitan Police said there was “nothing to indicate” a new threat.
A spokesperson said police worked “closely with site security teams and other partners to ensure there are adequate security and policing plans in place”.
They added: “As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review.”
The official Wembley website also mentioned earlier start times for Eras’ upcoming shows, after Swift added new supporting acts for each of the dates.
Along with Paramore, who will be performing nightly, the star invited Sofia Isella, Holly Humberstone, Suki Waterhouse, Maisie Peters and Raye to join her for one night each.
Doors open between 3:30pm and 3:45pm each day, with performances starting at 4:55pm or 5:10pm depending on the date.
