Sporting events’ restrictions eased in late July

Fans are set to return to sporting events in full capacity starting later this month on July 19th. The British government plans to reduce the restrictions in place on social distancing and vaccine passports will no longer be needed at sporting events. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at Monday afternoon’s press conference: ‘We’ll move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus.

‘From step four we will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors. We will allow all businesses to reopen, including nightclubs, we will lift the limit on named visitors to care homes and the numbers of people attending concerts, theatre, and sports events.’

Sports including cricket, football, rugby and horse racing will allow fans to attend the events. England’s T20 game against Pakistan at the Emirates Old Trafford after Freedom Day is expected to be one of the first events to benefit from this. The domestic Vitality T20 league will also start from August 24 with fans legally allowed. 

The Rugby League has half the season to go and could really use the improved attendances in the latter part of the season to resuscitate their finances. 

As for football, the EFL league is set to begin a week before the Premier League on August 7 and could finally see stadiums filled to the full capacity after a very long time.