UK Government announces new £50 million ‘winter survival package’ for sports

Non-league clubs and other sports have badly missed having fans for the past year

Fans have been missing from sporting venues for most of the past year (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The UK government said it is providing a further £50 million in support grants for sports in the latest tranche of its winter survival package to help deal with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government said in a statement on Monday that horse racing, rugby league, speedway and drag racing would receive a combined £40 million, while National League soccer clubs across Steps 1-6 will get £10 million.

The grants will help cover essential costs due to the lack of spectators at venues because of the pandemic.

“We promised to stand by and protect our major spectator sports when we had to postpone fans returning,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.

“As the turnstiles begin to open over the coming weeks, players, staff and fans across the country can now look forward to a full return to action with confidence.”

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Horse racing will receive £21 million in loan support, while men’s professional Rugby League will get a further £16.7 million in addition to the £16 million emergency loan scheme provided in May last year.

Speedway clubs have been offered £300,000 in loan support, while Santa Pod Raceway will receive £843,000.

Reuters