European Championship football matches kicked off this week and the host cities have been preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans into their stadiums amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But only one is allowing fans to fill more than half of the seats.

Budapest has swapped social distancing for other measures to offer 100 percent capacity for Euro 2020 fans. The Puskas stadium will be filled with more than 60,000 supporters when Hungary takes on Portugal for the country's first match of the tournament on Tuesday. 

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According to UEFA figures, London will allow 25 percent capacity for its group stage matches, while 25 to 45 percent capacity is the aim for Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Rome and Seville. The closest to Budapest's capacity is 50 percent at venues in Saint Petersburg and Baku. 

It's an ambitious play by Hungary, which was registering the world's highest COVID-19 death rate just two months ago. 

But speaking to football fans around Budapest, they're ready for some relief. 

"I think it's cool because we have the chance to go to the stadium and cheer the team, so it's a great opportunity," said local supporter Adam Kuzdy.

Golden tickets

Quarantine requirements have been dropped for fans traveling to Hungary. A golden football ticket will get them around the usual procedures. Locals don't think many tourists will make the journey, but they're excited to have packed crowds in their backyard. 

Gabe Kiss is counting down to Hungary's second group match against France, which he'll attend with a group of friends. "It's still a good thing for the locals and everyone who loves football, loves sports in general," he said. He's vaccinated and says he has no concerns about attending the game with tens of thousands of people. 

The opening match against reigning European champion Portugal sold out within hours, as did Hungary's clash against World Cup holder France.

Full crowds but rules remain 

Fans will have to arrive at the stadium at preassigned 30-minute windows and access to the match requires more than a ticket. Proof of full vaccination or a negative PRC test is necessary for those traveling from overseas. Hungarians can use their immunity certificates, which are now needed for most events and services in the country.

Despite the safety measures in place at the stadium, experts are worried the virus can still slip through the net. 

Public health expert and adviser to the mayor of Budapest, Balazs Rekassy, told CGTN Europe he has serious concerns about the stadium being at capacity. "It cannot fully protect those participants, and it's definitely a risk, definitely a high risk. 

"For the Hungarian government, especially football and especially the European Championship is very important, I take it in a different view, for medical experts I think it is a really high risk," he said.

On the ground, football fans are confident Hungary's high vaccination rate will provide a strong defence.