Manchester / Online — Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International and convener of New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), has publicly apologized to worshippers who were unable to enter the venue for the 2026 NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.
In a display of humility, the pastor knelt while delivering the apology, acknowledging the disappointment of those turned away after the stadium reached full capacity.
The free conference, which took place on Saturday, September 26, drew thousands of believers from across the United Kingdom and beyond for a day of intensive prayer, worship and prophetic declarations.
Old Trafford, which has a listed capacity of approximately 74,000, filled up as demand far exceeded available spaces. Although advance registration was required, many prospective attendees reported that registration closed early due to high interest, with some turning to social media platforms such as TikTok in search of spare access.
Security and stadium authorities ultimately restricted further entry once maximum safe capacity was reached, leaving a significant number of worshippers outside.
In his message shared on social media platforms, Pastor Eze expressed sincere regret. “I am deeply sorry to every soul who came expecting to be part of this move of God but could not gain entry,” he stated.
He emphasised that the limitation was due to venue capacity constraints rather than any intentional exclusion by the organisers, and took responsibility for the organisational challenges. He also clarified in related communications that decisions on entry were enforced by stadium authorities.
The pastor committed to improved planning for future events, including better registration systems and potentially expanded arrangements such as multiple venues or sessions to accommodate growing demand.
The conference featured powerful worship led by prominent gospel ministers including Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan, Sunmisola Agbebi and Kaestrings, alongside Pastor Eze’s teachings and prayers. NSPPD, which began as an online daily prayer platform, has grown into a global movement with millions of followers.
Many in the Christian community have praised the pastor’s transparent and humble response, viewing it as an example of pastoral care and accountability. The incident underscores the increasing appetite for large-scale faith gatherings in the UK while highlighting logistical challenges organisers face when attendance surges beyond projections.
Pastor Eze and Streams of Joy International have indicated that lessons from the Old Trafford event will inform better capacity management for subsequent NSPPD conferences.
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