The Carabao Cup could be used for early test events as football looks to follow other sports in bringing fans back.
The new season is set to get underway in the Premier League and EFL on September 12, although fans will not be able to attend games as protocol continues amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Some sports though have begun allowing fans to return to events, with the World Snooker Championship final acting as a test event as around 300 spectators have been allowed into the Crucible, a venue which normally seats 1,000.
As part of the test, fans have been given an extensive code of conduct, including no contact with anyone outside their social bubble, and bringing their own food and drink.
Face masks have to be worn while moving around the venue, while entry is allowed only 30 minutes before a session starts and exits are organised one row at a time.
On the test event, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "We can now make further careful progress on recovery with allowing audiences back for indoor performances, fans back at sports events and the reopening of more Covid-19 secure leisure businesses."
That could lead to a limited number of fans being allowed back into football games, with the opening rounds of the Carabao Cup being touted as a possibility.
The Athletic report that the Community Shield game between Liverpool and Arsenal at Wembley had been hoped to be used, but the suspension of test events earlier in the summer ended hopes of fans being able to attend.
September’s early rounds of the Carabao Cup or EFL Trophy could provide an opportunity though.
Every ground is expected to undertake a rehearsal, likely with games that would take in around half of the venue’s revised capacity.
