Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced crowds could return to sports stadiums in the United Kingdom from October subject to successful pilot events starting later this month. 

Sports events have taken place without crowds in attendance since March because of the risk of spreading coronavirus.

But laying out the next steps in lifting lockdown on Friday morning, Johnson said:  ‘From August 1, we will restart indoor performance to a live audience, subject to the success of pilots, and we will also pilot larger gatherings in venues like sports stadia, with a view to a wider reopening in the autumn.

‘From October, we intend to bring back audiences in stadia. Again, these changes must be done in a Covid-secure way, subject to the successful outcome of pilots.’ 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said crowds could return to sports stadiums from October

Premier League fixtures have been taking place behind closed doors since football returned last month. Pictured is Wednesday night’s Arsenal vs Liverpool game at the Emirates Stadium

It raises the possibility that only the first month of the 2020-21 football season will be played out behind closed doors, with supporters allowed back in the autumn. 

The pilot events – which would see a limited number of spectators admitted to stadiums with social distancing rules observed – could begin this month. 

It has been reported that pilot events will include the County Championship warm-up cricket match between Surrey and Middlesex at The Oval on July 26, the Glorious Goodwood race meet between July 28 and August 1, and the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible from July 31.  

However, the experience of attending a sporting event will undoubtedly change for the near-future at least.

Capacities are likely to be restricted so that social distancing of at least one metre can be safely observed until those guidelines are relaxed nationwide.

Guidelines suggest that fans may have to adhere to staggered entry times in order to avoid queues forming at turnstiles, while they may have to complete health questionnaires in advance and submit to temperature checks upon arrival.

Fans will be advised to avoid public transport in travelling to and from a stadium if possible while screens showing live action on concourses and at betting outlets will likely be removed or turned off. 

A County Championship warm-up match at The Oval between Surrey and Middlesex on July 26 will be one of the pilot events with a limited number of spectators admitted

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, starting on July 31 and won last year by Judd Trump (pictured), will also see spectators admitted in limited numbers

Sportsmail reported last week that Premier League clubs have informed fans they expect they’ll be able to return to attend matches early next season.  

Premier League clubs are already canvassing fans to gauge opinion on a return to stadiums. Some of the key issues on which clubs are looking for feedback from fans are:

• How to fairly distribute tickets if, as expected, capacities are reduced 
• Whether fans would be happy to disclose their health details 
• How they would travel to games and if they would feel safe taking public transport to matches 
• Whether season-ticket holders would be satisfied with not sitting in their normal seats   

Football fans will be hopeful of returning to stadiums early during the 2020-21 season

The Test match between England and West Indies is ongoing without fans at Old Trafford

The arrival and departure of supporters is emerging as a big issue as clubs look to implement measures to ensure their safety.

Clubs are exploring the possibility of issuing staggered arrival and departure times for fans during the opening phase of allowing them back into grounds.

Other sports to have taken place behind closed doors in the UK include Test cricket matches between England and West Indies, snooker tournaments at Milton Keynes and horse racing meets.  

The potential for fans to return to stadiums will come as a financial lifeline for EFL and non-league football clubs who rely on gate receipts and matchday income for a large proportion of their revenue. 

Likewise, clubs will now feel more confidence selling season tickets to fans for next season. 

Johnson’s announcement was met with a mixed reaction on Twitter. While some sports fans were pleased with their potential return to stadiums, there was also much criticism.

One user called Liam said: ‘You can’t promise something like that. The cases could pick up and a second wave could happen. Or we could get a vaccine and go back to stadiums early. A date shouldn’t be set for this’

Raymond Zhu said: ‘I think this is too soon, unless we manage to have a vaccine in place by then. The Liverpool-Atletico match going ahead contributed to a rise in infections when the disease was approaching it’s peak. What restrictions are going to be in place for the thousands at games, if any?’ 

Joolz said: ‘Not safe. He is a fool. I won’t be traveling for 90 mins on public transport and spending 3 hours in a stadium’ 

Criticism came not only from sports fans but those who have weddings booked. While weddings are still limited to a maximum of 30 guests, potentially thousands of people could soon gather inside a stadium for live sport.

One Twitter user called Chloe said: ‘@BorisJohnson how the bloody hell do you plan to allow football fans back in the Stadium in October but my September wedding can only have 30 guests? Like do you understand how ridiculous this sounds. #whataboutweddings’ 

Another user who is a professional photographer, said: ‘Wedding venues/vendors will possibly go out of business if weddings don’t get back to normal. It’s nonsensical to have stadium events and schools back yet not weddings with larger numbers! Please think about increasing the numbers! 

‘Why has the wedding industry been forgotten!? Receptions of up to 30 people from August YET stadium events and all schools are back from September! Track & Trace is easier to do at weddings than large stadium events! Makes no sense! #whataboutweddings’

Another, Jennie, said: ‘Great I can go to a stadium soon or get on public transport BUT I JUST WANT TO CUDDLE MY PARENTS AND MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO CUDDLE HER GRANDPARENTS. One house to bubble with and cuddle with. Why is that so hard’