European football's safety and security community strengthens cooperation ahead of new season

Ahead of the 2026/27 UEFA club competition season kick-off next week, representatives from across the European football community gathered in Madrid, host city for the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, to strengthen cooperation and prepare for the safety and security challenges associated with hosting European football and welcoming travelling supporters.

Under this year’s "Make It Count" banner, the latest UEFA Safety and Security Conference encouraged participants to make the most of every interaction, partnership and information exchange. Attention was given to the unique challenges associated with managing away fans and providing a safe, secure and enjoyable matchday experience for everybody.

"Safety and security in football is what allows millions of people to live this sport with trust and freedom, and you are the guarantors of it," said Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzán in his opening address. "Thank you for your commitment and for making our sport increasingly safe."

Participants were encouraged to make the most of every interactionUEFA via Getty Images

Building trust and strengthening relationships

Clubs must have the systems, structures and collaborative networks needed to meet the evolving challenges of the modern game, and a series of panel discussions featuring a mix of established European clubs and new participant demonstrated how they are adapting.

Case studies from Pafos, AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Atlético de Madrid, FC Porto and Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated how participation in UEFA competitions can help drive professionalisation across stadium operations, supporter liaison, stewarding, ticketing and multi-agency coordination.

"The success of our competitions is built on this proactive approach, enabling us to anticipate challenges rather than merely react to them," said UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti.

Participants highlighted how proactive information sharing between clubs, UEFA, public authorities, police and supporter representatives supports better-informed risk assessments and more effective match planning.

Pafos shared lessons from the club’s successful delivery during its debut Champions League campaign in 2025/26. Early coordination with local authorities and stadium operators, including the advance approval of key operational elements, helped streamline preparations and save valuable time before matches.

As Bournemouth prepare for their European debut in this season's UEFA Europa League, they highlighted how close coordination between its safety and security team and supporter liaison officer is supporting long-term planning for European fixtures. This joined-up approach helps ensure that the needs of travelling supporters are considered throughout the preparation process.

Atlético de Madrid provided one of the case studies discussed during the conferenceUEFA via Getty Images

Putting supporters at the centre

The conference also underlined that supporters are crucial to the identity, atmosphere and appeal of European football.

Risk assessment remains at the heart of safety and security work, but clubs are increasingly complementing this with greater investment in supporter engagement, education and professional development for stewards.

"Over recent seasons, we have successfully placed fans at the centre of our efforts and further enhanced the service element of the spectator experience," Marchetti said.

The discussions in Madrid reflected this work, and a wider commitment to ensuring that travelling supporters can continue to follow their teams across Europe in safe, secure, inclusive and welcoming environments.

That commitment was underlined by a joint statement from European football stakeholders endorsing the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on collective bans targeting away supporters. The statement supports individual accountability, greater stakeholder consultation and transparent decision-making, with collective bans used only as a last resort.

By making every exchange count, European football is laying the foundations for another safe, secure and enjoyable season for supporters across the continent.