Wimbledon 2021 Could Have More Than 25% Of Fans In Attendance

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s Wimbledon returns this year, so could the fans as organisers say they’re ‘confident’ restrictions will allow for more than 25% capacity.

In the Spring Press Conference last month, Wimbledon chief executive, Sally Bolton said while safety is still the priority, they’re hoping to enable as many fans as possible to attend the event.

“We are currently working to a spectator capacity position of around 25%, based on the current Sports Ground Safety Authority guidance, but we will remain flexible as we await the outcome of the government’s Event Research Programme and clarity on the likelihood of restrictions relaxing beyond 21 June,” Bolton said.

“We very much hope 25% is a minimum position from which we can build – it is our absolute desire to enable as many people as possible to safely attend The Championship this year,” she said.

Pre-pandemic, the championship could host around 42,000 spectators daily with total attendance reaching 500,397 in 2019, the second highest in history, according to Wimbledon.

The BBC report organisers are now ‘confident’ that easing of restrictions will allow for the capacity to be increased.

“We are confident we will be able to increase our ticketing capacities for the championships this year beyond the minimum 25% position we set out last month,” Wimbledon organisers told the BBC.

“This confidence is based in particular on the reintroduction of the rule six indoors in restaurant settings from 17 May, and early indications that stage four guidance could include similar relaxations of the guidance for sports stadia.

“However, we also understand that there remains much discussion amongst government and public health authorities on this topic in light of the Indian variant, and we are committed to remaining flexible in our approach so that we are able to react accordingly,” organisers said.

According to the BBC, limits on social contact are hoping to be removed for the UK from 21 June, with the first day of the Wimbledon Championships scheduled for 28 June.