What is a designated ground?

Under the provisions of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 the local authority is responsible for issuing and enforcing a safety certificate in respect of a sports ground designated by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Secretary of State may designate any sports ground which in his opinion has accommodation for more than 10,000 spectators – 5,000 in the case of Premiership or Football League grounds in England and Wales.