Ashton Gate could be one of the first sports stadiums in the country to welcome supporters back, with Bristol Bears' home a frontrunner to be part of an ambitious Premiership Rugby pilot scheme.
Bristol Live understands the ground could host a limited number of fans as early as the August 25 match against Exeter Chiefs, with the Bears working closely with rugby authorities, subject to government approval.
Supporters will have to remain socially distanced, and there are likely to be strict regulations in place in terms of mask wearing, plus the exact size of the crowd is unclear at this stage.
But Premiership Rugby want to be one of the first sporting leagues in Europe to have crowds present, in line with the hospitality sector.
Boris Johnson said in July that he was confident crowds could return to sporting venues in October, although tellingly that declaration ran contrary to a number of sporting bodies.
Football's EFL, who govern the Championship, League One and League Two were hoping for an earlier return, with the 2020/21 season to kick-off on September 12 and matchday revenue absolutely critical to the financial health of clubs.
Ashton Gate is the second-largest ground in English rugby's top-flight with its 27,000 capacity only bettered by Wasps' Ricoh Arena. It also is one of only three stadiums that can hold in excess of 20,000 supporters.
Bears CEO Mark Tainton revealed in May that the club had put itself forward as willing to host a number of matches in BS3, involving all teams, to help alleviate travel issues and costs.
However, it's thought that idea has since been abandoned by Premiership Rugby with the desire to fulfil all fixtures on a traditional home and away basis.
The first four fixtures of the restart have been confirmed with Bears playing Sarancens (August 15), Gloucester (August 21), Exeter (August 25) and Sale (August 29), and the remaining five are due in the coming days with broadcast arrangements still to be finalised.
The Bears lie third in the Premiership table and with a rejuvenated and reinforced squad and the potential for fans, albeit in a reduced number, returning to Ashton Gate can be confident of securing a play-off spot, with the Grand Final scheduled for October 24.
