Norwich City have confirmed that they will be able to host 1,000 spectators at Carrow Road for this Saturday’s clash with Preston, after permission was granted by the government and the Football League.
The Football League (EFL) announced at lunchtime that 10 matches would be allowed to host a maximum of 1,000 spectators this coming weekend, with City’s game against Preston one of the three Championship matches chosen.
However, Luton swiftly followed the EFL statement and said that a lack of guidance had meant the announcement didn’t leave them enough time to prepare for their Championship game against Derby, announcing they are not able to welcome fans back on Saturday.
Middlesbrough have confirmed that 1,000 fans will be able to attend their game against Bournemouth on Saturday though.
The Canaries had already been planning for an upcoming return though, coordinating with the local Safety Advisory Group, consulting with fan groups and ensuring Carrow Road was set up for social distancing and the necessary Covid-19 health and safety requirements.
That was in anticipation of up to 8,000 spectators being allowed to attend the Preston game and the subsequent home games in October against Derby, Birmingham and Wycombe.
Details of how tickets would be allocated had even been released, only for the government to halt plans for a return of crowds to sporting events last Wednesday, forcing City to put that system on hold.
However, the Preston game will now see 1,000 City season ticket holders able to watch Daniel Farke’s team play their second game of the Championship season - with tickets to be decided by a ballot, which fans must enter.
A statement from the Canaries explained: “From 3pm on Wednesday, September 16, each of the club’s season ticket holders will be able to apply for one of the 1,000 match tickets, which will be allocated via a random ballot process. Applications for tickets for the fixture will close at 5pm on Thursday, September 17.
“Within their respective support bubbles, season ticket holders will be able to apply for up to six tickets for the fixture by visiting www.canaries.co.uk/stballot.
“Alternatively, ticket applications for the fixture can be made by phoning the club’s ticket office on 01603 721902, option one. Phone lines open 9am through to 5pm.
“All supporters applying for the selected tickets must accept and adhere to the supporter code of conduct, which contains the measures we are taking to make Carrow Road a COVID-secure venue, prior to applying for tickets.
“All supporters who apply for a match ticket will be notified via email whether their application has been successful or unsuccessful, by 12pm on Friday, September 18.”
Carrow Road hasn’t hosted a match since February 28, when Leicester were beaten 1-0 in a Premier League game in front of an attendance of 27,010.
The subsequent three-month suspension of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic saw the campaign resumed in June behind closed doors, with no spectators at City’s final five home Premier League games or the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.
The statement concludes: “Supporters will be allocated seats in their respective support bubbles in the South Stand at Carrow Road. Further admission and matchday details for those who are successful in the random ballot will be issued via email.
“Season ticket holders who are successful in their ticket application for this fixture will not be able to apply for future fixtures that are at a reduced capacity until all other season ticket holders have had the opportunity to attend a fixture.”
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