spot_img

Wimbledon to see full capacity crowds as restrictions ease in UK

The Wimbledon tennis Grand Slam will see capacity crowds, and Wembley will host 40,000 fans for the final four Euro 2020 fixtures. The UK government has confirmed plans for up to 20 pilot events across sport and entertainment. Wimbledon and the ongoing UEFA European Championship the big winners.

UK’s final steps of the coronavirus recovery road map have been delayed by four weeks, until July 19, due to a rise in cases linked to the Delta variant of Covid-19. However, Wimbledon’s women’s final on July 10 and the men’s showpiece on the following day will be watched by a full Centre Court at the All-England Lawn and Tennis Club (AELTC).

Meanwhile, the last 16 game of Euro 2020 at Wembley on June 29, the semi-finals and final in July, will also be staged in front of a 50 percent capacity crowd. Wembley will play host to the largest UK crowd in more than 15 months, with roughly 40,000 fans for each of the selected matches. UK prime minister Boris Johnson had revealed on 14th June that the planned full reopening date of 21st June has been pushed back four weeks until 19th July. Culture secretary Oliver Dowden also confirmed that more fans will be enjoying sporting events at arenas in the coming days.

“We want to gather further evidence on how we can open up all big events safely, and for good. In the next few weeks, this means more fans enjoying the Euros, Wimbledon, and some of our biggest cultural and sports events.”

England’s group games at Euro 2020 had already been included on the British government’s extended events research program and will continue to be played in front of crowds of 22,500 – 25 percent of capacity at the national stadium. This plan will place further pressure on matchday revenue for many sports clubs and governing bodies, an income stream that has been virtually non-existent during the coronavirus pandemic and something the government has recognized in its winter and summer sport survival packages. However, club owners are hopeful that all events will return to capacity when the new season for the premier league begins in August.

Related Articles

Latest Articles