The government’s roadmap out of lockdown in England has sports fans cautiously checking their calendars to check which events could welcome back supporters this summer.
The prospect of all restrictions being lifted from 21 June at the earliest means there is a chance Wimbledon and the latter stages of Euro 2021 could operate at full capacity.
The Euros semi-finals and final take place at Wembley, while England’s group game against Czech Republic could also be played in front of a full crowd if assessments allow for all legal limits on social contact to be removed.
That would be Step 4 in the government’s roadmap, while Step 3 will allow for stadiums to operate at a reduced capacity, no earlier than 17 May.
The government is also planning for test events, with the Football Association (FA) and English Football League (EFL) hopeful the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals can pilot the return of fans.
Government roadmap plans
Step 3, no earlier than 17 May:
- Larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower) will also be allowed, as will those in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4000 people or half-full (whichever is lower).
- In the largest outdoor seated venues where crowds can spread out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).
Step 4, no earlier than 21 June:
- It is hoped all legal limits on social contact can be removed.
Football
- Carabao Cup final: 25 April
- FA Cup final: 15 May
- Women’s FA Cup final: 22 May
- Premier League final day: 23 May
- Championship, League One, League Two play-off finals: 29-31 May
- Euro 2021: 11 June to 11 July
The men’s FA Cup final falls two days before 17 May, which is the date where larger stadiums could host 10,000 people or operate at a quarter-full capacity, depending on which total is lower. The final at Wembley could be used as a test event, likewise the Carabao Cup final on 25 April.
Meanwhile, the women’s FA Cup final and final round of the Premier League both fall the weekend after, meaning some stadiums could welcome 10,000 supporters back.
Premier League final day – 23 May
- Arsenal vs Brighton
- Aston Villa vs Chelsea
- Fulham vs Newcastle United
- Leeds United vs West Brom
- Leicester City vs Tottenham
- Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
- Manchester City vs Everton
- Sheffield United vs Burnley
- West Ham vs Southampton
- Wolves vs Manchester United
The EFL season finishes earlier in May but the play-off finals at Wembley will also see some fans in attendance should the government’s proposals remain on course.
Come the rearranged Euro 2020 tournament, which runs from 11 June to 11 July, all restrictions are set to be lifted on 21 June, a day before England play Czech Republic in their group game at Wembley.
England face Scotland on 18 June, meaning some fans are set to be in attendance, while the semi-finals and final – all being held at Wembley – could see capacity crowds.
A statement from the Football Association read: “The FA is absolutely delighted that fans will be allowed back soon. The game is simply not the same without them and we look forward to the return of full stadia as soon as it is safe and possible.”
Cricket
- England vs New Zealand: Test series 2-6 June & 10-14 June
- England vs Sri Lanka: T20s on 23, 24 & 26 June; ODIs on 29 June, 1 & 4 July
- England vs Pakistan: ODIs on 8, 10 & 13 July; T20s on 16, 18 & 20 July
- England vs India: Five-match Test series in August & September
- The Hundred: 21 July to 21 August
England’s summer of cricket looks a little brighter with the prospect of fans returning, and while the two-Test series against New Zealand will hope to have some supporters at both Lord’s and Edgbaston, the white-ball series against Sri Lanka could be played in front of capacity crowds.
An ECB statement read: “The ECB welcomes the Government’s decision to permit grassroots cricket to return across England in time for the start of the 2021 season. We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government on the return of recreational cricket in Wales.”
It is also a boost for the inaugural The Hundred, which starts on 21 July and runs for a month until Final’s Day at Lord’s on 21 August.
Rugby Union
- Premiership final: 26 June
- British & Irish Lions vs Japan (Murrayfield): 26 June
Some fans are set to be in attendance for the final rounds of the Premiership season, although it will be too late for the PRO14 season.
The Premiership semi-finals fall the weekend before 21 June, but the final at Twickenham on 26 June could welcome a full crowd.
The ongoing uncertainty regarding the British & Irish Lions will have rugby union fans waiting to see whether the UK could end up hosting the series with South Africa. The Lions are set to play Japan at Murrayfield on June 26 in warm-up match, while the three Tests against the Springboks are pencilled in for 24 July, 31 July and 7 August.
The Rugby Football Union also welcomed back the return of community rugby from 29 March.
An RFU statement read: “This is good news for the game and for players, coaches and volunteers across the country, who will once again be able to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being involved in team sport.
“We will work with DCMS on the Covid protocols for the community game, including the format of rugby that will be permitted in return to play. We also look forward to working with Government and other sports on the safe return of fans to stadiums.”
Rugby League
- Challenge Cup final: 17 July
With the Super League season starting on 25 March, rugby league fans will be eager to return in some capacity come May and then potentially in full after 21 June.
The Challenge Cup final at Wembley could house a capacity crowd, while the Super League Grand Finals are not until October.
Tennis
- Queens (Cinch Championships): 14-20 June
- Wimbledon: 28 June to 11 July
The 21 June target could fall perfectly for Wimbledon, which is set to begin on 28 June and could therefore potentially welcome capacity crowds a year after the grand slam was cancelled entirely due to the pandemic.
The warm-up tournament at Queen’s Club could welcome some fans the week prior, while the Lawn Tennis Association argued an earlier date could have been set for grassroots tennis. A statement said: “Clearly tennis is a naturally socially-distanced and safe activity and so we would have liked restrictions to be lifted without delay and made the case for this.”
Golf
- British Masters at The Belfry: 12-15 May
- The Open Championship at Royal St George: 15-18 July
The British Masters falls on the wrong side of the scheduled May easing of restrictions, but supporters look set to attend the Open Championship at Royal St George in July.
At grassroots level, like tennis, golf can resume on 29 March, though Golf England had hoped the sport could have returned at an earlier date.
“England Golf is extremely disappointed that the scientific evidence presented to government detailing how the sport can be played in a Covid-secure manner has not resulted in a return to play date earlier than 29 March,” a statement read.
Formula One
- British Grand Prix at Silverstone: 18 July
Falling a month after the 21 June target, British motorsport fans will be hopeful of attending Silverstone for the British GP in July. Two consecutive Formula One races were held on the famous circuit during the 2020 season, though no double headers are planned for the 23-race 2021 campaign.
Horse racing
- Epsom Derby Festival, 4-5 June
- Royal Ascot: 15-19 June
- Eclipse Summer Festival, Sandown Park: 2-3 July
- The King George Weekend, Ascot: 23-24 July
- Glorious Goodwood: 27-31 July
- Ebor Festival, York: 18-21 August
The horse racing calendar is brimming but in terms of major events, both Epsom and Ascot could welcome back some punters in June, while come July the festivals will be hoping to operate at full capacity.
Athletics
- Diamond League, Anniversary Games at London Stadium: 13 July
The London Stadium could be packed out for the Anniversary Games in July, which would be a welcome boost for athletics after the 2020 season was decimated.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3pGmJB2
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