A limited number of fans are allowed to return to Premier League games in December, with the UK government rolling out new coronavirus restriction tiers.
The tiers vary across England, based on the severity of the situation in each region, but, while not all stadiums will see supporters return, it will be a welcome development for football in the country nonetheless.
Under the new system, a maximum of 4,000 supporters will be allowed into games in Tier 1 regions, though that won't be applicable in the Premier League just yet.
So, which tier are the Premier League clubs in and how many supporters will they allow into games? Goal brings you all you need to know.
On this page
- What lockdown tier is each Premier League club in?
- When will fans be allowed into games?
- UK lockdown tiers & how they apply to football
What lockdown tier is each Premier League club in?
| Club | Tier | Fans allowed? | Max. capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 3 | No | 0 |
| Aston Villa | 3 | No | 0 |
| Brighton | 2 | Yes | 2,000 |
| Burnley | 3 | No | 0 |
| Chelsea | 3 | No | 0 |
| Crystal Palace | 3 | No | 0 |
| Everton | 2 | Yes | 2,000 |
| Fulham | 3 | No | 0 |
| Leeds United | 3 | No | 0 |
| Leicester City | 3 | No | 0 |
| Liverpool | 2 | Yes | 2,000 |
| Man City | 3 | No | 0 |
| Man United | 3 | No | 0 |
| Newcastle United | 3 | No | 0 |
| Sheffield United | 3 | No | 0 |
| Southampton | 2 | Yes | 2,000 |
| Tottenham | 3 | No | 0 |
| West Brom | 3 | No | 0 |
| West Ham | 3 | No | 0 |
| Wolves | 3 | No | 0 |
*Last updated on December 17, 2020.
Every Premier League club is either in Tier 2 or Tier 3 and, interestingly, a 50-50 split initially emerged, with 10 clubs based in Tier 2 regions and 10 clubs based in Tier 3 regions.
However, the updated tier guidelines on December 17, which saw London raised to Tier 3, means the number of clubs allowed to host fans dropped to just four.
The only clubs that can host supporters under the updated guidelines are Brighton, Everton, Liverpool and Southampton - who are all in Tier 2 regions.
When London was upgraded to Tier 3, six Premier League clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham - lost the permission to host any fans.
In a football context, Tier 2 restrictions allow for a limited attendance at games, specifically up to 50 per cent of capacity or 2,000 people - whichever is lower.
Considering that the capacity of most Premier League stadiums is in the thousands, the maximum number in all cases is 2,000.
Tier 3 restrictions, meanwhile, do not permit the admittance of any spectators at games, so clubs who are within that zone will have to continue playing games behind closed doors.
When will fans be allowed into games?
The new restriction tiers came into effect from December 2, 2020 - when the national lockdown concluded across England.
As a result, the first elite-level game that saw supporters return to stadiums in England was Arsenal's Europa League showdown with Rapid Wien at the Emirates Stadium on December 3.
The first Premier League games that saw supporters back in attendance came that weekend, on December 5 and 6. Chelsea's game against Leeds United and West Ham's meeting with Manchester United were played in front of fans on December 5.
The next day, the north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal had 2,000 fans, as did Liverpool versus Wolves at Anfield. Fans were also allowed in to watch the derby match between Brighton and Southampton on December 7.
Restrictions will be reviewed every 14 days, so it means permission to host spectators is subject to change.
The pre-Christmas announcement means that fans will be in attendance at some games during the traditionally busy Christmas and new year period.
UK lockdown tiers & how they apply to football
Tier 1
- Attendance at games limited to 50% of capacity or 4,000 (whichever is lower).
- Adult sport can take place outdoors, but must followed the 'rule of six' indoors.
- Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
Tier 2
- Attendance at games limited to 50% of capacity or 2,000 (whichever is lower).
- Adult sport can take place outdoors, but cannot take place indoors if there is interaction between different households.
- Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
Tier 3
- Games to be played behind closed doors.
- Adult sport can take place outdoors, but people must avoid higher risk contact activity. Indoor sport should not take place unless with your household or bubble.
- Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.