Arsenal Outline Plan To Get Fans Back Into Emirates Stadium Next Month
Arsenal, popularly known as the Gunners, is a top football club that competes in the English Premier League (EPL). It ended its 28th season in the league a few days ago after finishing in the eighth position. Arsenal won its fourteenth FA Cup last season. But some of its games in the second half of the EPL were behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, it has outline plans for soccer fans to return to Emirates. Read on to learn more about it.
The Return of Arsenal Fans at Emirates
In the past three months, ambient sounds in stadiums have been a common phenomenon in the UK. The government suspended soccer for several months to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. But, it lifted the suspension on the English Premier League but prohibited soccer fans from accessing stadiums. The last season ended with games being played indoors. Unlike other campaigns, the 2020/2021 season will start without fans in stadiums.
Arsenal travel to Fulham in its opening fixture and later host West Ham United at Emirates Stadium. Thereafter, the club will face Liverpool at Anfield. Current government guidelines show that it might start allowing sports enthusiasts in stadiums next month. Arsenal has started planning to allow its fans at the Emirates Stadium but in small numbers. There is a high possibility of fans going to Emirates to cheer Arsenal on October 3 when it will face Sheffield United
The club recently announced a planned approach for reduced capacity matches. A statement on Arsenal’s website stated that the club will apply social distancing measures at Emirates. It consulted different fan groups and expects the demand for its tickets to escalate. It will prioritise giving Premium members and Gold season ticket holders access to tickets. Arsenal hopes that it will soon increase its stadium capacity, as the season progresses. It will frequently provide updates on the allocation of tickets to non-members and other member groups.
Season ticket holders aren’t required to pay their full ticket renewal now. Yet, they will make an initial payment to qualify for the ballot for minimised capacity matches. The club will conduct ballots to decide ticket allocation for its home games until it achieves full stadium capacity. Arsenal is currently focusing on finalising details for reduced capacity games. It will then update its supporters on its plans to safely allow them back to Emirates.
About 2,500 soccer fans attended the Amex Stadium on August 29 to watch a friendly match between Brighton FC and Chelsea. Football authorities viewed it as a test match. The event showed that fans might start returning in large numbers soon. Arsenal fans might start attending the Gunners’ home games early next month.
Arsenal played its remaining Premier League games in empty stadiums since the league resumed in June. The 2020/2021 season will start on September 12 in empty stadiums. But, the United Kingdom government hopes that fans will be able to safely return to stadiums in a few weeks or months. A small number of spectators will access the stadiums first.
