Limited number of rugby fans to be allowed to attend Murrayfield match between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors

A limited number of fans will be able to attend next Friday’s match between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

Permission has been granted by the Scottish Government to allow some spectators into Murrayfield for the Guinness Pro14 tie.

It would be the first rugby game in the UK to have a crowd since lockdown restrictions came into place in March.

Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby’s chief operating officer, said: “Scottish Rugby is delighted that a limited number of spectators will be in BT Murrayfield on Friday 28th August to watch the Guinness PRO14 match between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

“We are pleased our work with the Scottish Government will ensure that players, support staff and fans will be covered by a comprehensive event plan for everyone’s safety including physical distancing requirements.

“Scottish Rugby would like to thank government ministers and officials who have helped us make this happen, and our own colleagues who pulled together a robust operational plan for the match.

“We hope that our experience and learnings from a live spectator event next Friday can help all of Scottish sport, and the wider events industry restart.”

BT Murrayfield to welcome back fans 🏟️

Scottish Rugby has been given the green light to host fans at the game between Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors at @BTMurrayfield on Friday 28 August.

Full story 👉 https://t.co/05Tg3QfHxw pic.twitter.com/PKk1BoeaUP

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 21, 2020

It has not yet been confirmed how many fans will be allowed in, but ticketing information is set to be released in due course.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Thursday that sports stadia would be allowed to reopen to fans on September 14, with a “limited” number of fans.

Strict physical distancing measures would have to be in place.

The match at Murrayfield would serve as a test event ahead of the date, with Celtic also hoping to run their home match against Motherwell on August 30 as a trial.

Manager Neil Lennon said the Premiership champions have been in talks with government officials about the matter.