Fans are set to be allowed to attend NRL games in small groups from next week, after the league reached an agreement with the New South Wales Government.
Key points:
- Groups of up to 50 people will be allowed in corporate boxes, adhering to rules around having one person per four square metres
- The league argued that if pubs and bars could reopen with rules around physical distancing, then the league should also be allowed to
- ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys was planning to get members back into the stands by July
Groups of up to 50 will be allowed in corporate boxes in NSW stadiums, adhering to the rules around having one person per four square metres.
There was initially a plan to have crowds back by July 1, but ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys argued the reopening of pubs and bars in the state meant fans should be allowed back into stadiums in limited numbers.
"We're very pleased the Government have corrected the anomaly, because this was allowed in pubs, clubs and racecourses but not sports stadiums," V'landys told AAP.
The first game of round five is a Manly-Broncos clash at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, which is now expected to be the first game to allow fans under the new socially distanced measures.
While the new measures will allow club sponsors to return to games, V'landys is reportedly still hopeful of getting club members back in the grounds in July.
Venues such as Parramatta Stadium have multiple boxes and lounges that can be split into different sections on top of their corporate boxes, meaning the number of attendees could climb much higher.
The news comes as a big win for struggling clubs, who are doing their utmost to fulfil sponsorship deals through the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the NRL and stadiums are continuing to map out their plans for a return to crowds.
Work has already been done at Parramatta Stadium on traffic flow with the entry and exit points of the ground.
A ticketing system is planned to ensure fans are spaced out appropriately between seats.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06...d-at-nrl-games-next-week-coronavirus/12327432
