Due to the coronavirus pandemic, matches have been played in front of empty stands since football resumed following lockdown in June, but our pre-season fixture at the Amex Stadium at 3pm this Saturday has been named as one of a small number of events being used to trial the lifting of the government ban on mass gatherings. As a result, 2,500 Brighton season ticket holders and members will be allowed to watch.

Please note that as part of the trial, no Chelsea supporters will be permitted at the stadium and entry will only be possible with a ticket purchased in advance through Brighton’s season ticket and membership schemes. To help conform to track and trace protocols, all fans will need to show photographic ID matching the name on their ticket upon arrival.

The match will allow the government and clubs to trial methods for keeping fans safe inside stadiums, as well as implementing track and trace procedures, while allowing a reduced number of supporters to return to professional sports venues with as little risk as possible.

Among the other measures being trialed for a return of spectators to football matches in the Covid-19 environment are a completely cashless stadium, face masks being worn in the stands, strictly enforced socially distant seating and random temperature checks carried out by stewards around the ground.