Crowd Pilot Update: The EFL Confirm 8 Games Will Host Fans This Weekend

The EFL says the move comes as part of the ongoing 'return of fans' pilot programme, with the organisation still in discussions with the government about a return for supporters in greater numbers after October 1st.

Two Championship games, four League One matches and two in League Two will welcome up to 1,000 spectators in the English Football League this weekend as part of the government’s crowd pilot scheme.

The following games, at Middlesbrough, Norwich, Blackpool, Charlton Athletic, Hull City, Shrewsbury Town, Carlisle United, and Forest Green Rovers all taking place on Saturday, will make up the next phase of crowd pilot games to encourage the safe return of supporters to stadiums.

The Premier League has already written to the Government regarding pilot plans to plead that around £100m per month will be lost by clubs across the leagues while matches continue behind closed doors.

It is one of a number of sports bodies to have voiced concerns at the financial impact of an extended period with empty venues.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden indicated that successful pilots are a great step in the right direction: "I know that many fans are eager to return to football and that jobs depend on this too, so fans will welcome news that the EFL will be running number capped, Covid-secure, and socially-distanced pilots this weekend. This will help us build the evidence base to see how we can return fans safely in greater numbers as soon as it is safe to do so."

Update: Ten clubs initially had confirmed hosting the pilot games this weekend in the football leagues. However, citing the difficulties with the lack of preparation time both Luton Town and Morecambe have decided to pull out of the pilot project on this occasion.