HOW FANS ARE LIKELY TO FARE THIS SUMMER

So many of football’s glamour games are due to be played over the next three months that the government’s roadmap will be crucial. Here are the possibilities:

zpremier League, last two rounds of fixtures in May could see the return of fans of up to 10,000 for each game;

ZFA Cup semi-finals on April 17/18 will be used as test events;

zeuros, restrictions are lifted nationally on June 21, paving the way for fans but England’s clash with Scotland is three days before so could see more limited numbers;

ZFA Cup Final, it is hoped up to 20,000 fans could be at Wembley on May 17.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Super League and Championship games will be allowed 25 percent stadium capacity crowds from May 17. Leigh v Wigan and Warrington v Huddersfield are expected to be switched from that weekend to the Monday night to benefit. Quarter-capacity is expected to run indefinitely until the government advises. The first big event expected to have bigger crowd is the England v All Stars game on June 25.

TENNIS

The grass court season will start with 25 percent capacity at Nottingham (June 6-13), Queen’s (June 12-20) and Edgbaston (June 19-27), with seating layouts altered to meet social distancing requirements. Wimbledon starts on June 28 with an announcement on attendance and any possible restrictions due next month.

GOLF

The European Tour is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about fans returning to events in a safe manner at some point this summer and wants to host a test event at the British Masters on May 12-15. A spokesperson for the European Tour said: “As far as numbers of spectators are concerned, we will adhere to government guidance should we get the green light.” The Open will take place at St George’s on July 15-18 and the R&A says there is a “good possibility” of fans being there.

BOXING

Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren are working on plans to have 1,000 fans in for shows from mid-may. But both promotors say the only way Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s undisputed clash can happen at Wembley Stadium this summer is if they can get 90,000 or 100,000 fans there. Hearn will seek government guidance this week on whether that is a realistic aim.

HORSE RACING

No pilot events are planned prior to limited crowds returning on May 17. Two test events were held at Doncaster and

Warwick last September.

While owners were allowed back into racecourses yesterday, crowds of up to 4,000 will be admitted in mid-may. Full attendances are expected from June 21, two days after the end of Royal Ascot.

CRICKET

There will be no crowds for the first six rounds of the County Championship, with the first fixture accepting fans being

Hampshire v Leicestershire on May 19 Crowds of up to 4,000 will be allowed in grounds with a capacity of up to 16,000 or 50 percent of capacity, whichever is lower. For grounds like Lord’s which can hold 30,000, they can have up to 7,500 fans which is equivalent to 25 percent capacity and that will be the case for the two-match New Zealand Test series.

The first full capacity ground should be a T20 Blast game at the Kia Oval between Surrey and Essex on June 21.

RUGBY UNION

The RFU expect the Premiership Final on June 26 to see the gradual return of fans, with at least 10,000 the aim.

England have three internationals in November, against an Emerging Nation (tbc), Australia, South Africa and RFU bosses are hopeful of being back to full houses by then.

The three-match July tour of North America, involving England’s non-lions, could now be switched to the UK in the hope of fans being able to attend.

FORMULA 1

Tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 27-29 are already selling fast with organisers anticipating up to 400,000 to attend over the three days. “We are en-route to sell out of the general admission tickets by April and many of the grandstands are already 80 percent full,” a spokesman said.

“If it is allowed, the 2021 British Grand Prix could be one of the biggest crowds ever.”