Minimum Standards Criteria For Promotion Update
The Professional Game Board has released a statement on the Minimum Standards Criteria for promotion.
Professional Game Board met today to agree the Minimum Standards Criteria for the 2022-23 season, which includes requirements for promotion to the Premiership from the Championship.
Around the principal area of discussion, minimum capacity of grounds, it has been agreed that there will be additional time for a club to build up to a capacity of 10,001:
- At the time of the audit in January 2023 a club must have a capacity of at least 5,000 plus planning permission to develop the ground up to a capacity of 10,001, with funding in place to achieve this. It would have to demonstrate an agreement with a contractor to carry out the work in due course;
- At the start of the season, 2023-24, the club must have a capacity of at least 5,000, if the ground is not a Designated Ground under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975, it must have in place a non-statutory safety certificate from its local authority, and confirmation from its local authority as to its assurance and enforcement process;
- For the start of the 2024-25 season, the club must have a capacity of 10,001 and a full statutory general certificate. If these are not in place it will result in relegation.
Phil de Glanville, PGB Chair said: “It remains the view of the PGB that a minimum grounds capacity of 10,001 is important due of the rigour of the Local Authority issued safety certificate for stadia of this size in addition to its importance for fans, sponsors and broadcasters. We recognise the challenges of achieving promotion and sustaining the club once in the Premiership and want to support Championship clubs with a transition season to allow Championship clubs more time to achieve the 10,001 capacity criteria once in the Premiership.”