Fans return to TalkSPORT with West Ham and Chelsea games confirmed, Arsenal reveal ticket plans

talkSPORT will host the return of fans next weekend with live commentary from West Ham vs Manchester United and Chelsea vs Leeds on Saturday, December 5.

On Thursday, levels were confirmed for each of England’s local authorities, and football fans are eagerly awaiting to find out if they can return to see their beloved team in action for the first time in months.

The Hammers and Blues are among the six London teams, plus Liverpool, Everton, Southampton and Brighton, at Tier 2, where clubs can host 2,000 fans.

However, Manchester United, Manchester City and Leeds will be among the ten Premier League clubs that will have to wait to welcome their supporters after the government unveils its plans once the current lockdown ends next week. .

Most of the areas have been placed at level 2, meaning a maximum of 2,000 fans at outdoor sporting events, with only three areas with level 1 status: the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where 4,000 are allowed.

Areas at level 3 have the most stringent restrictions, including no spectators in live sport; such areas include Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, and Sheffield.

This means there are no fans at Old Trafford or Etihad, while Elland Road, Villa Park, Leicester’s King Power and Newcastle’s St James’ Park must also remain empty for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal will be the first Premier League club to welcome fans, having confirmed that their doors will be open for the Europa League home game against Rapid Vienna on Thursday 3 December.

A club statement read: “We will not conduct a ballot for the game against Rapid Vienna.

“For this game only, we will be running a priority sale on a first-come, first-served basis for Gold and Premium members who made their initial payment and registered for the ballot in September.

“This priority sale will open at 9 AM GMT on Saturday, November 28.”

Tickets will be priced at £ 15 for lower level seats and £ 45 at club level.

Fans will also be able to enter Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Sunday, just in time for the North London derby between the Spurs and the Gunners.

Fans have stayed away from stadiums since the first lockdown began in March, with only a few exceptions in the months since.

But the restrictions will be eased after the latest national lockdown is lifted next week, and the country will return to a tiered regional system.

Venues in level 1 and 2 areas will be able to admit spectators on a limited basis.

Up to 4,000 spectators or 50 percent of capacity, whichever is less, will be allowed on Level 1, down to 2,000 or 50 percent for indoor venues.

Level 2 areas can also return spectators to sporting events, at half the rate of Level 1 areas.

Level 3 areas continue with the strictest restrictions and the sport must be held behind closed doors.

Further down the pyramid, EFL President Rick Parry said his competition was considering whether to change matches from next Tuesday to Wednesday if any of the local clubs could allow fans in after the period of blocking.

Of the games to be played on Tuesday, Bournemouth’s championship game against Preston could receive fans if it is delayed 24 hours.

It could also be QPR’s match against Bristol City.

In League One, AFC Wimbledon, at level two, could receive a following at the Peterborough visit if the game is rescheduled.

Crewe was also able for the game against Swindon, as did Oxford (against Ipswich), Northampton (against Fleetwood) and Plymouth (against Rochdale).