Test events are set to be held as early as this month in preparation for certain sports to potentially open their doors to fans in August.
Football.London report that the events will be held under an observation programme with plans in place to open doors to fans for the first time in August should everything go to plan.
Certain sports, which could well include the Premier League and the EFL, will be allowed to let fans into games for the first time in August.
It is anticipated that all sports would then be allowed to welcome fans into stadiums in late August and early September, with strict social distancing restrictions in place.
That means that stadiums would not be allowed to open at full capacity at the start of next season - which would obviously impact the level of crowds allowed at a Premier League and Championship level.
It could well see both Manchester United and Manchester City open their grounds at a reduced capacity at the start of next season.
How this will realistically look is currently unknown but it will likely mean empty seats between fans in a similar way to how substitutes have been spaced out at behind-closed-doors matches since football's resumption.
It is news that will also come as a boost to lower-league clubs, who are more dependent on gate receipts for their income.
The start date for next season has not been revealed as of yet but it is anticipated that there will be a quick turnaround after the end of this campaign in order to lessen the impact the three-month break for the coronavirus will have had on the football calendar.
With this current campaign set to finish at the end of July and the Champions League held in August, it is expected that next season will start in early September.
That will give the majority of clubs a month off from competitive matches.
