Linfield plan to have 2,500 spectators inside Windsor Park for Irish League opener with Crusaders

Linfield plan to have an attendance of approximately 2,500 supporters inside Windsor Park for next week’s Danske Bank Premiership opener with Crusaders.

The news comes after the Big Two giants confirmed spectator details for their first home fixture of the new campaign on August 28.

Linfield supporters will be accommodated in the North Stand at Windsor Park, which normally houses the away support, with Crues fans relocated to the Kop.

It was reported that almost 3,000 spectators were in attendance for the Blues’ recent Europa Conference League clash with Fola Esch at the South Belfast venue.

But Linfield are confident next weekend’s 2,500 capacity can safely house the expected attendance for the league curtain raiser against the Crues.

Chairman Roy McGivern said: “We are planning for a normal attendance for the Crusaders game on August 28, somewhere in the region of 2,500 spectators.

“This number of spectators can be accommodated despite the current social distancing requirements.”

Linfield have confirmed that the South Stand, which normally houses the home support, will not be in use for the Crusaders game, except for “match day personnel”.

This means that no South Stand premier seats will be in use, with the sale of premier seats unlikely until there is a relaxation of the NI Executive's current one metre social distancing requirement.

While the above seating plan is in place for the opening game, the Belfast club said “this does not necessarily mean that this plan will be repeated for subsequent games”.

Further details of seating arrangements for Linfield fans inside the North Stand will be provided next week after all pre-match preparations are finalised.

Supporters attending the game have been reminded that there will be a “requirement for social distancing and adherence to hygiene guidelines” throughout the stadium.

Approximately 13,000 supporters were allowed to attend the recent UEFA Super Cup match between Chelsea and Villarreal at Windsor Park, 70 percent of the stadium’s capacity.

However, a number of entry requirements were in place for the Super Cup, including proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test.

Details of the online sale of individual match tickets for the Linfield v Crusaders game will be provided by the club next week.