talkSPORT will be celebrating the fans’ return this coming weekend with live commentary from West Ham versus Manchester United and Chelsea versus Leeds on Saturday 5th December.
On Thursday the levels were confirmed for each of England’s local authorities. Football fans eagerly await if they can return to see their beloved team in action again for the first time in months.
The Hammers and the Blues are both among the six London teams, as well as Liverpool, Everton, Southampton and Brighton in Tier 2, where the clubs can welcome back 2,000 fans.
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Anfield will be welcoming fans through the doors this coming weekend too
However, Manchester United, Manchester City and Leeds will be among the ten Premier League clubs that will have to wait to welcome fans back after the government announced their plans once the current suspension ends next week.
Most of the areas have been rated Tier 2 – meaning there is a maximum of 2,000 fans attending outdoor sporting events – with only three areas receiving Tier 1 status – the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – where 4,000 are allowed are.
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Up to 4,000 fans can return to football stadiums starting next week, but only in Tier 1 areas. Arsenal will welcome around 2,000 spectators
The areas in Tier 3 are subject to the strictest restrictions, including no spectators for live sports. These areas include Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester and Sheffield.
This means there are no fans in Old Trafford or Etihad, while Elland Road, Villa Park, Leicester’s King Power and Newcastle’s St. James’ Park will also have to remain empty for the foreseeable future.
Arsenal will be the first Premier League club to welcome fans back after it has been confirmed that the doors are open for the Europa League home game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday 3rd December.
Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross says the injured Liverpool will still be a big challenge but Seagulls believe they can take three points on Saturday
In a statement by the club it says: “We will not vote for the game against Rapid Vienna.
“For this game only, we will be making priority sales to Gold and Premium members who made their first payment and signed up to vote in September.
“This priority sale opens on Saturday, November 28th at 9:00 am GMT.”
Tickets cost £ 15 for lower tier seating and £ 45 for clubs.
Fans will also be admitted to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Sunday, just in time for the North London derby between Spurs and the Gunners.
The stadiums have been empty for many months
Fans have been kept away from the stadiums since the first lockdown began in March – with a few exceptions in the months since then.
However, restrictions will be eased after the final national lockdown was lifted next week and the country returned to a regional tiered system.
Tier 1 and 2 venues are only allowed to accommodate a limited number of spectators.
Up to 4,000 spectators or 50 percent of the capacity – whichever is lower – are permitted in Tier 1, and for indoor spaces to 2,000 or 50 percent.
Tier 2 areas are also allowed to bring spectators back to sporting events at half the price of Tier 1 areas.
Tier 3 areas are still subject to the strictest restrictions and sports must take place behind closed doors.
How any Premier League club is affected by the tier system
Check out what tier your club is at and how it will affect fans who return after the lockdown
- Arsenal – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Aston Villa – Tier 3 – No spectators allowed
- Brighton – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Burnley – Tier 3 – No spectators allowed
- Chelsea – Tier 2 – 2,000 Spectators
- Crystal Palace – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Everton – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Fulham – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Leeds – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Leicester – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Liverpool – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Manchester City – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Manchester United – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Newcastle – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Sheffield United – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- Southampton – Tier 2 – 2,000 Spectators
- Tottenham – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- West Brom – Tier 3 – No Spectators
- West Ham – Tier 2 – 2,000 spectators
- Wolves – Level 3 – No spectators
Further down the pyramid, EFL chairman Rick Parry said his competition was considering moving games to Wednesday next Tuesday if one of the home clubs could let fans in after the embargo expires.
Of the games to be played on Tuesday, Bournemouth’s championship game against Preston could welcome fans if pushed back 24 hours.
This could also be QPR’s game against Bristol City.
In the first division, AFC Wimbledon would allow fans to visit Peterborough in the second division if the game is postponed.
Crewe could also go for the match against Swindon, as did Oxford (against Ipswich), Northampton (against Fleetwood) and Plymouth (against Rochdale).
The Premier League games after the lockdown
The first weekend of the Premier League after the lockdown begins on December 5th. But which games are taking place and are fans allowed?
Friday 4th December
- Aston Villa v Newcastle – 8 p.m. – no spectators
Saturday 5th December
- Burnley vs Everton – 12:30 pm – no spectators (LIVE on talkSPORT)
- Manchester City v Fulham – 3 p.m. – no spectators
- West Ham v Manchester United – 5:30 p.m. – 2,000 spectators (LIVE on talkSPORT)
- Chelsea v Leeds – 8 p.m. – 2,000 spectators (LIVE on talkSPORT)
Sunday December 6th
- West Brom v Crystal Palace – 12 noon – no spectators
- Sheffield United v Leicester City – 2:15 p.m. – no spectators
- Liverpool vs Wolves – 2:15 p.m. – 2,000 spectators
- Tottenham v Arsenal – 4:30 p.m. – 2,000 spectators
Monday December 7th
- Brighton v Southampton – 8pm – 2,000 spectators
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