This Is Where Selfie Sticks Are Banned In The UK

As the divisive wands of the future continue to grow in popularity, a number of venues have taken a stand.

Selfie sticks, love or hate them, appear to be here to stay.

PA Wire/Press Association Images Adam Davy

However, a number of major venues have banned the devices for safety reasons and to prevent them ruining people's experiences.

BuzzFeed News spoke to some of the major stadiums and arenas in the UK to find out their policies on selfie sticks.

The Roundhouse, London

PA / Ian West

A spokesperson said: “Although selfie sticks are not something we’ve had to address yet, we wouldn’t allow them into live shows at the Roundhouse due to safety regulations.

"They also have the potential to obstruct the view for others in the audience which could impact on people’s enjoyment of a live show.”

Verdict: Banned.

Stamford Bridge, London

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We called Chelsea FC's ticket office and they told us selfie sticks were banned from the stadium as they were classified as a weapon.

Verdict: Banned.

Anfield, Liverpool

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As with Chelsea, Liverpool FC's ticket office confirmed the club had banned the devices because they could be used as a weapon.

Verdict: Banned.

Twickenham Stadium, London

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A press officer revealed selfie sticks are not banned at Twickenham.

But they added: "However if we were to receive complaints about them causing problems we would need to re-look at this."

Verdict: Not banned.

The O2 Arena, London

REX USA/Brian Rasic / Rex

A spokesperson for the venue confirmed: “The O2 does not allow selfie sticks into the arena due to safety considerations and so as not to impact the view of other fans. We welcome selfies, but leave the stick at home please.”

Verdict: Banned.

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

PA / Jeff Holmes

A spokesman said: "Fan experience and enjoyment is of the utmost importance to Scottish rugby. We have not banned selfie sticks from BT Murrayfield; however, we have yet to consider fully their impact on our supporters, both good and bad.

"We will continually monitor and review our supporter feedback over the course of the coming RBS 6 Nations championship."

Verdict: Not banned.

Lord’s, London

PA / Gareth Copley

A spokesman for the "home of cricket" said the Marylebone Cricket Club had not considered the matter and therefore had no comment to make.

“The first major match of the Lord’s year is in mid-May, so this is unlikely to be something we’ll be discussing in the short term,” he added.

Verdict: Not banned (cricket is far too civilised to even have to consider such things).

The SSE Arena, Wembley, London

Getty Images Eamonn M. McCormack

A spokesman said: “Selfies are a big part of the gig experience. The sticks might mean you are refused entry to the venue, so our advice is don’t bring them and stick with the tried and tested use of an arm.”

Verdict: Banned.

Academy Music Group venues, nationwide

Suzan/EMPICS Entertainment Suzan

(Venues include O2 Academies around the country, as well as places like the Shepherd's Bush Empire.)

A spokeswoman said: “Selfie sticks are not permitted at Academy Music Group venues.

"This is in keeping with our existing policy that prohibits the filming and photography during a performance with iPads and other tablet devices and includes any such obstructions for the satisfaction of other customers.”

Verdict: Banned

Hammersmith Apollo, London

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A spokeswoman said that the venue has the same policy for selfie sticks as it does with iPads and other tablets and will be asking customers not to use them.

Verdict: Banned.

Royal Opera House, London

PA Dominic Lipinski

A spokesman for the Royal Opera House declared: “The use of cameras and recording equipment is strictly forbidden during performances at the Royal Opera House.”

Verdict: Banned, obviously.

Manchester Arena

Getty / Alex Livesey

A spokeswoman for the Manchester Arena said that while there wasn’t a ban in place the venue’s policy was to prevent people impeding the views of others.

She said if someone was using one and it was interfering with someone else’s view they would be asked to “pop it away”.

Verdict: Not officially banned, but if you're caught with one you'll be asked to get rid of it.

Barclaycard Arena and Genting Arena, Birmingham

PA / Joe Giddens

Photography regulations at both are decided by the promoters of the given event, said a member of the security services at the venues.

Admittedly he also revealed he didn’t know what a selfie stick was.

Verdict: Not banned.

Wembley Stadium, London

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The press office said the stadium was planning on reviewing the use of selfie sticks on an event by event basis.

However, we understand they will be banned at the Capital One Cup Final on 1 March.

Verdict: Unclear.

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

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Under current rules, selfie sticks are banned at the Millennium Stadium, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Verdict: Banned.

Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium, Manchester

EMPICS Sport / Mike Egerton

Manchester United and Manchester City have both banned selfie sticks being used during matches, the Manchester Evening News reported.

Verdict: Banned at both.

White Hart Lane, London

EMPICS Sport / Andrew Matthews

Earlier this month, the BBC reported that Tottenham Hotspur had banned selfie sticks from White Hart Lane.

The report quoted this reply a Twitter user apparently got from the club.

Verdict: Banned.

Emirates Stadium, London

Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport

An Arsenal spokesman told the Camden New Journal: "We can confirm that 'selfie sticks' are banned on match days at Emirates Stadium.

"The club's ground regulations prohibit any object that could be used as a weapon or could compromise public safety."

Verdict: Banned.

The Premier League confirmed to BuzzFeed News that it had not made a ruling on the use of selfie sticks and said it was down to individual clubs if they wanted to ban the devices.

We are awaiting statements from numerous other sporting and music venues and will update this post if and when they reply.