Contact Us

Australia to allow 10,000 spectators at small stadiums

Crowds of up 10,000 people will be allowed into Australian sports stadiums from next month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday, as COVID-19 restrictions are further relaxed. The announcement comes a day before New Zealand prepares to welcome back fans at its Super Rugby Aotearoa tournament, which kicks off on Saturday.

Reuters SPORTS
Published June 12,2020
Subscribe

Australia will allow crowds of up to 10,000 at small stadiums to watch sport as part of plans to ease social distancing restrictions in July, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.

Morrison said Australia's states were working toward rules which would let stadiums with capacities of up to 40,000 host up to 10,000 spectators.

He said the changes could also apply for concerts and festivals.

"It would have to be a large, open area. There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance," he told reporters after a national cabinet meeting.

"It would need to be ticketed, so people would be able to understand who was in attendance at that event."

Limits on mass gatherings are still in place in Australia and vary between states and territories.

Australia has recorded more than 7,000 coronavirus infections and 102 deaths.

Australia's two biggest professional winter sports, the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL), resumed their seasons with matches at closed stadiums but have been given the green light to allow small groups of fans to attend venues.

The NRL is allowing fans at corporate boxes on game-day, while South Australia state authorities approved a crowd of 2,000 in the terraces for the AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and Port Power at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Neighbouring New Zealand is expecting bumper crowds at stadiums this weekend to watch the first matches of "Super Rugby Aotearoa", the world's first professional rugby competition to resume since the coronavirus shutdown.