A Resounding Success And Rapturous Return!

Players huddle at Hull v Catalans Dragons match May 17th represented another big step towards normality for stadiums and English sport as fans returned to venues across the country with horse racing, rugby league and rugby union opening their doors.

This next step in the government’s roadmap followed the success of various sports test events culminating in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 15th, which saw approximately 20,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

The first games to play in front of fans were at the 11,000 capacity Vitality Stadium where the maximum 2,000 home fans only saw their team AFC Bournemouth host Brentford in their Championship play‑off semi‑final first‑leg. Barnsley were backed by 4,000 supporters for their play‑off tie with Swansea, while about 3,000 rugby union fans watched Bristol Bears beat neighbours Gloucester in the Premiership, however the biggest attendance permitted on the night was the 6,000 fans at the KCOM Stadium where Hull FC hosted the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

In accordance with the current government guidelines larger outdoor venues across England are now able to admit crowds of up to 10,000, however, smaller outdoor venues will have capacities capped at 4,000 or 50%, whichever is the lowest.

Reduced capacity crowd at FA Cup Final

Today, Tuesday, May 18th will see the doors of Premier League football stadiums open to home fans only at a reduced capacity. With the penultimate round of top‑flight fixtures pushed back to May 18th and 19th, every Premier League team has been given the opportunity to host a match in front of spectators before the end of the season on May 23rd.

Manchester United, who host Fulham at Old Trafford, and Southampton, who welcome Leeds United at St Mary's, will be the first to welcome people back when they kick off at 6pm. Brighton & Hove Albion fans will watch their team take on champions Manchester City at 7pm, while Chelsea face Leicester City 8:15pm at Stamford Bridge (a repeat of Saturday's FA Cup final when Leicester lifted the cup!)

Wednesday May 19th will see six further games with fans in attendance, bringing a season, played almost entirely without spectators, to an end with limited crowds at all 10 games on the final day on Sunday, May 23rd.

European football's governing body UEFA have said that nine of the 12 host cities for this summer's Euro 2020, starting on June 11th, will have spectators attending games. Wembley will host the final on July 11th.

Leicester fans at FA Cup Final