Big crowds WILL return to sport, says DCMS chief
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said he is "hopeful and optimistic" that large-scale crowds will be able to return to sporting events this summer on the day the first restrictions were lifted.
Mondaymarkedthereturn of grassroots outdoor sport afternearlythreemonthsoflockdown,withfurtherrelaxations pencilled in for April 12, May 17 and June 21.
From May 17, stadiums could be permitted to host as many as 10,000 fans, while from June 21 the current plan is for restrictions to be lifted completely.
Pilot events will explore how spectators can return safely in large numbers to stadiums.
The rescheduled Euro 2020, which is due to be played acrossthecontinentincluding atWembley,Hampdenandthe Aviva Stadium, straddles June 21.
Dowden, secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, told Sky Sports News: "For the later matches in the tournament, we'll be looking atsubstantiallymorethanthat (10,000), but that is subject to findingasafewayofdoingthat.
"I'm very hopeful and optimistic that we will get many, many more people in for the later stage games."
Sports facilities such as football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools and golfcourseswereamongthose reopening on Monday.
Dowden said on Sky Sports News: "I'm absolutely delighted. After this dreadful long winter of Covid, spring is in the air and grassroots sport is returning.
"Wesaidwhenwewentinto thesedreadfulrestrictionsthat grassroots sport should be the last in and the first out. Today we're delivering on that."