Organisers of some of the major sporting events in England this summer are being urged to be less conservative in terms of the number of fans and spectators they are planning for.

As the Westminster Government ramps up its plan for returning to normal, with the number of fans allowed at outdoor gatherings rising to 10,000 from next Monday, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot are being urged to expand their current plans for crowd numbers.

The British Horseracing Authority has pitched a number of 4,000 attendees at race meetings as a first phase but that is only five per cent of what would have been expected at Royal Ascot in the third week of June in a normal year.

The Epsom Derby will come before that but would also have expected a much larger gathering.

Wimbledon will run across the end of June and early July and is currently planning for 25 per cent of capacity but public health sources close to Government have been suggesting this as being too conservative.

The Premier League will be allowed up to 10,000 fans for the last two rounds of fixtures this season and is pressing for a full capacity return in time for the start of next season, while the Euro 2020 Final to be held in July is expected to be played in front of a full capacity Wembley Stadium.

The more positive reopening that takes place in England, the better the prospects of crowds being seen back in Irish stadia over the summer as well, though that will depend on the data being analysed by public health authorities here over the coming weeks.

There may also be a challenge in terms of the general public feeling towards a rapid return to normal. A survey conducted in England by Yonder research showed that only one in four were fully behind a return to large crowds, with that number doubling if precautions including testing and social distancing were put in place.

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