Fans of Premier League clubs will be able to return to stadia for the first time since March.
Under the government’s new tiered lockdown system – which is due to replace England’s national lockdown on December 2, fans will be able to attend matches in the run-up to Christmas.
Clubs in Tier 1 can have up to 4,000 fans, or 50% of their stadium’s capacity, whichever is lower, while in Tier 2 it’s 2,000 fans or 50% of capacity, whichever is lower.
However clubs in Tier 3 will have to continue playing their home fixtures behind closed doors, with no fans allowed in to watch if they’re living with the most severe restrictions.
Only Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and Isle of Wight are in Tier 1, and those locations have no top flight clubs.
However, the league is split 50/50 when it comes to teams that can welcome fans to their grounds again and those that must continue to keep their doors locked.
What tier is my club?
Tier 2 football clubs
Arsenal
Brighton
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham
One of the first matches that could be played in front of supporters is Arsenal’s Europa League tie at home to Rapid Vienna on December 3.
Three days later, 2,000 fans could also be in the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for the north London derby.
Tier 3 football clubs
Aston Villa
Burnley
Leeds
Leicester
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle
Sheffield United
West Brom
Wolves
Premier League fixtures after national lockdown
(Image: REUTERS)
These are the maximum number of fans allowed into Premier League stadiums on the weekend of December 5/6, the first under the stricter tier system.
Tier 2 – 2,000 fans
- Brighton vs Southampton
- Chelsea vs Leeds
- Liverpool vs Wolves
- Tottenham vs Arsenal
- West Ham vs Man Utd
Tier 3, behind closed doors
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle
- Burnley vs Everton
- Man Utd vs Fulham
- Sheffield Utd vs Leicester
- West Brom vs Crystal Palace
When will the tiers be reviewed?
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
The government has said the tiers will be reviewed every 14 days.
But that means areas of England could move up or down, so Tier 2 clubs could end up having to shutting their doors again if they go into Tier 3, or welcome another 2,000 fans if they’re moved down to Tier 1.