Brighton & Hove Albion is in line to become the first EPL club "to have a pilot event for the return of fans at a preseason friendly as early as this weekend," with FA Women’s Super League games and non-League finals at Wembley Stadium also included as proposed soccer events. The government is expected to confirm "that up to 2,500 fans will be allowed into Brighton’s match against unnamed opponents at the club’s Amex stadium to take place either this weekend or next week." A second match at Brighton "involving more spectators may also be held later in September." Other matches lined up as pilot events include the WSL match between West Ham and Arsenal at Dagenham & Redbridge’s ground on September 13. Under the proposals, up to 1,000 supporters would be allowed to attend that game.
Wembley Stadium "has been proposed as a test venue for fans for the FA Trophy and FA Vase finals" on Sept. 20 or 27, with up to a "maximum 10,000 supporters in the stadium." This is also likely to be the first test event with supporters attending from more than one club. The U.K. government has "set a date of October 1 for the limited return of spectators to all sports events" (LONDON TIMES, 8/24).
