The future of sport as we know it hinges on getting fans back into stadia. This is especially true in Ireland where the IRFU, FAI and GAA rely to a very high level on the income generated by matchday ticketing and revenue.
Each week we will take a look at developments around the world on where sporting organisations, public health authorities and governments are moving in the return to stadia.
AUSTRALIA RAISES LIMIT TO 50,000
Up to 50,000 fans will be welcomed back to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in time for Round 1 of the 2021 AFL Premiership Season on March 18th, following the announcement of a 50 per cent venue capacity being confirmed by the Victorian Government, AFL and the Melbourne Cricket Club, manager of the MCG.
The season-opening match between Richmond and Carlton will see fans attending an AFL football game at the stadium for the first time in 537 days.
The new venue capacity is an increase from the 30,000 fans who attended the 2020 Boxing Day Cricket test Match and the 15,000 fans allowed in for the Big Bash League matches in January.
Some of the measures that will be in place include:
The MCG being sectioned into five zones to assist in capacity management and contact tracing.
Each zone will have access to toilet facilities, parents rooms, first aid, merchandise, food and beverage outlets (including those with Halal and vegetarian options), mobile charging units, prayer rooms and water refill stations.
All AFL and AFL Club members will need to pre-book and obtain a ticket through Ticketek for every game. Ticket holders will need to present their Ticketek issued digital ticket on a smart device for access to the MCG.
Cashless transactions across all outlets.
The MCG’s Official Hygiene Partner, Dettol, has installed 275 Dettol Instant Hand Sanitisation Stations throughout the ground to ensure players, staff and fans can easily access the trusted germ protection of Dettol.
There will be signage displayed outside and inside the Ground to encourage physical distancing and the wearing of fitted face masks in congested areas.
Attendees will be required to check into the MCG by utilising the Service Victoria app to scan the displayed QR codes and follow the prompts to check in.
No cloaking facilities will be available at the MCG for the 2021 AFL Premiership Season.
AMERICA’S CUP START WEEKEND POSTPONED
In light of the latest Auckland COVID-19 Level 3 lockdown put in place by the New Zealand Government from yesterday for the next 7 days, America’s Cup Event Ltd has postponed the first weekend of racing on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of March.
America’s Cup Event Ltd Chair, Tina Symmans said, “As ACE has always said that it wishes to hold as much of the racing under Level 1 restrictions as possible. But to be prudent, ACE will apply for an exemption to race under Level 3 restrictions so as to keep as many options open as possible. However, racing will not occur before at least Wednesday 10th March.”
In the meantime, ACE will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities over the next few days as this latest COVID situation unfolds.
“We need to understand all likely scenarios so that an updated racing schedule can be put in place whilst also ensuring the regulatory requirements are met,” concluded Symmans.
RETURN TO STADIA EVENT PLANNED FOR LATE APRIL
Sport for Business will host an online session for Members and guests towards the end of April looking at the different approaches to allowing fans back into grounds across Europe and around the world and also exploring where Ireland is at that point in the easing of restrictions.
Watch out for details over the coming weeks but please feel free to get in touch if you would like to be involved in this event.
Sport for Business Partners
