Brighton vs Chelsea to be played in front of 2,500 fans in first match with crowd since lockdown, government confirms

The Amex will welcome fans back to football stadiums for the first time since lockdown

Brighton’s friendly against Chelsea on Saturday will be the first match with fans permitted in the stadium after the government confirmed its latest round of pilot events following the coronavirus pandemic.

The friendly match will be played in front of 2,500 as both sides prepare for the start of the new Premier League season, with the Department for Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) also confirming the FA Vase and Trophy finals will have fans in attendance.

No Chelsea fans will be able to buy tickets, with Brighton confirming the government’s track-and-trace rules will be implemented at the Amex Stadium.

A club statement from the Seagulls read: “To conform with the government’s track-and-trace rules, booking a ticket for this match requires you to ensure your personal and contact details are all up to date, and you have provided the club with a current working mobile phone number.

“A total of 2,500 tickets will be made available to Brighton & Hove Albion season-ticket holders and 1901 Club members for a pre-season friendly against Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium this Saturday, 29th August, kick-off 3pm.”