Gyms and amateur sport could return in July under new plans from the government.
At the daily press briefing Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden spoke about how happy he was that Premier League football was returning tonight.
He also said he recognised that people were "itching" to get back to the gym and other community sports.
Mr Dowden said he had been in talks with the sector and was hoping that progress could be made before July.
The Cabinet minister said he was working closely to get grassroots and community sport back up and running: "as soon as it is safe to do so - with an aim of the start of July at the very earliest".
He told journalists: "The sports recovery was never just about elite sports. I know countless people are itching to get back to their gyms and leisure centres, to their five-a-side leagues and all their other normal fitness activities.
"We’re working closely with the sector to get grassroots and community sport back up and running as soon as it is safe to do so, with an aim of the start of July at the very earliest. "
But it was bad news for theatres as he said it would be "exceptionally difficult" for theatres to reopen because of social distancing rules.
Oliver Dowden made the comments following a question from the public on how theatres were expected to start paying a furlough contribution from August.
He said: "I know for theatres in particular as we open - and we've set the challenging target of July 4 - it is going to be exceptionally difficult to open, consistent with social distancing.
"And that is why I continue to have discussions across Government to see what further support we can give theatres during this challenging time."
