R&A planning for 30,000 fans per day at Openon May 26, 2021 at 8:43 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The R&A is optimistic 30,000 spectators will be allowed to attend each day of The Open at Royal St George’s in July.

An aerial view of the eighth hole at Royal St George's

The daily capacity at the course in Kent, which is hosting the championship for the 14th time, is usually 40,000.

“The one thing I am clear about is we will play The Open at St George’s,” said R&A chief Martin Slumbers.

“Uncertainty is about what the environment we will operate in will be. We are optimistic for a significant attendance of up to 75% of capacity.”

The Open was the only one of the four men’s majors cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the Masters, US Open and US PGA Championship – all of which are hosted in the United States – being rescheduled for last autumn.

“While we would really like to provide certainty to everybody on how The Open will work, inevitably there remains great uncertainty,” added Slumbers.

“We’ve been working very closely with the UK government and Public Health [England] to understand what we can do and what we can’t do.

“There are multiple plans and multiple options.”

Slumbers confirmed that organisers were working at a capacity level of “somewhere between 25 and 75%”.

“That shows you the uncertainty that we’re having to work with,” he added.

“The players will be in a bubble with officials and the championship staff and they will be kept separate and away from whatever crowds we’re allowed to have.”

Around the BBC - SoundsAround the BBC footer - Sounds

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp says side did not deserve more from draw at Fulhamon August 6, 2022 at 6:52 pm

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool's performance at Fulham "was a defeat" as the Reds made a frustrating start to their Premier League campaign.Jurgen Klopp says...

Mariupol steelworks evacuees: ‘We were losing hope that we would ever get out’on May 3, 2022 at 8:45 pm

Civilians evacuated from the besieged city of Mariupol finally arrive in the relative safety of Zaporizhzhia.Image source, EPAA group of civilians who have been...

House of Commons to be ‘menopause friendly’, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle vowson June 13, 2022 at 10:50 pm

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle signs a pledge to actively support staff going through the menopause.Image source, Jessica Taylor/ UK ParliamentSpeaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has...

Jamie Oliver stages ‘Eton mess’ protest outside No 10on May 20, 2022 at 5:31 pm

Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver has been protesting over delays to the government's obesity strategy.

Six Nations 2024: England revert to type in Wales win as fans leave Twickenham happyon February 10, 2024 at 10:57 pm

England were desperate to entertain against Wales on their return to Twickenham but, in the end, only the result mattered.England were desperate to entertain...