Footy fans will be allowed to return to NRL games from NEXT WEEK as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted further - but don't expect to be sitting in the stands
- NRL fans can return to the stadium next weekend as corporate boxes reopen
- Up to 50 people will be allowed in each box after rules from NSW government
- The rules will apply to club sponsors and will only occur in games held in NSW
NRL fans will finally be allowed to return to stadiums from next weekend, for the fist time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports across Australia.
But the average sports-starved punter won't be able to get a slice of the action until next month, with only corporate boxes allowed.
The NSW government confirmed to the NRL on Friday that corporate boxes would reopen, allowing up to 50 people in each box.
It comes in line with a lifting of coronavirus restrictions allowing up to 50 patrons in clubs and restaurants within NSW.
The rules will only apply to NRL club sponsors and for games held in NSW, and attendees will also have to maintain social distancing rules.
NRL fans will finally be allowed to return to stadiums from next weekend (pictured, a crowd in Melbourne in September)
Club sponsors will be able to attend games in corporate boxes with up to 50 people allowed inside each box (pictured, a game in Brisbane in May 2020)
Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta, in Sydney's west holds several corporate suites and lounges meaning large numbers of fans may be able to attend.
'We're very pleased the government have corrected the anomaly, because this was allowed in pubs, clubs and racecourses but not sports stadiums,' ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys told AAP.
'We are going to be treated the same as the pubs and clubs,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
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'Grounds like Bankwest have a lot of catering outlets, so they should be able to accommodate quite a few people.'
Mr V'landys is hopeful up to 500 fans could attend next Saturday's game between Parramatta and Manly at Bankwest Stadium.
The stadium has proposed health checks at gates, social distancing measures and guidelines around how food and drinks can be ordered, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The NRL was suspended at the end of March due to the rapid outbreak of coronavirus and returned last week to empty stadiums (pictured, a match in Brisbane in July 2018)
There will also be extensive cleaning undertaken on facilities.
The NRL was suspended at the end of March due to the rapid outbreak of coronavirus.
Fans were lucky enough to see a return of the sport on May 28 but games were held in empty stadiums.
The NRL is hoping to welcome larger crowds back into the stands from July 1.
AFL fans could also be in luck with the Greater Western Sydney Giants hopeful they could see crowds back into stadiums from June 14.
The club expects to be told on Friday whether or not they could host up to 350 corporate sponsors at matches.
GWS chief executive Dave Matthews said corporate sponsors would fill the available spots inside the stadiums.
The NRL is hoping to welcome larger crowds back into the stands from July 1 (pictured, a game at Sydney Cricket Ground in September 2019)
