Bold league plan to get the fans back at stadiums
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys wants to end the NRL’s crowd lockout from August under plans for full access to all stadiums, including more than 30,000 fans for Broncos games at Suncorp Stadium.
News Corp can reveal V’landys will “immediately” table a proposal to the
Queensland Government to implement a staggered crowdreturn plan that would open gates to all rugby league fans from August 1.
The revelation is a huge shot in the arm for Queensland and NRL fans as V’landys looks to reward the code’s millions of supporters for sticking by rugby league.
The NRL was dealt a savage blow on March 13 when, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the governing body ordered a crowd lockout for the first time in league’s 112-year history.
But V’landys is ready to give the game back to the fans.
Having successfully relaunched the competition on May 28, the NRL will allow 50 corporate fans to attend games this weekend and wants to have all restrictions removed for full crowds in August.
“There’s no reason not to have crowds if we have the right data on infections rates,” V’landy’s said.
“At the moment, crowds will be capped, but gradually our plan is to have it eased off and hopefully by August it will be totally unrestricted.
“We will speak to the
Queensland Government about this. If they are looking at capped crowds in the short term, we will make an application immediately.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was not ready just yet to give the green light, amid reports that AFL crowds of 1000 would be allowed in the Sunshine State this weekend.