Racing set for green light to welcome fans

RACING is close to becoming the first sport to gain approval for the return of spectators, with talks at an advanced stage over holding an event with a small crowd in the coming weeks. Negotiations between the Racecourse Association and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are nearly complete and an announcement regarding a meeting in late July or early August is expected within days. It is understood that

discussions have focused on meetings held at large, independent courses that would ordinarily attract a significant crowd, which in this case will be limited to 25 per cent capacity, although that figure is subject to change. The King George VI meeting at Ascot on Saturday, July 25 has been mentioned as a possibility, but Glorious Goodwood the following week may prove more realistic. Racing was the first sport to emerge from lockdown with a meeting at Newcastle on June 1, since when Royal Ascot, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby and the Oaks at Epsom have been staged without crowds. The return of spectators would be a huge boost amid huge losses from the disappearance of ticketing and hospitality revenue, as well as a decline in the gambling levy in the absence of on-course betting. The racing test event will be watched by administrators in other sports who are all eager to secure the return of fans as soon as possible. Premier League teams have expressed hope that some season-ticket holders will be able to attend matches when next season starts in September. Football clubs preparing for the return of fans are being advised to keep catering facilities outside stadiums, and to have staggered pre-agreed times for spectators to arrive long before kick-off. The Government will demand pilot matches to assess safety, though none have yet been pencilled in by the Premier League or FA. Elsewhere, county cricket clubs want to welcome spectators to the Twenty20 Blast in September, while the RFU are targeting a crowd of 40,000 for England’s first game since lockdown against the Barbarians at Twickenham in October.