Super Rugby AU could be played in front of crowds of up to 10,000 next month after a national cabinet meeting announcement today.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday that under stage three restrictions would allow for up to 10,000 people to be admitted to stadiums for up to 40,000
Morrison also said that larger stadiums could be filled to one-quarter of their capacity, but a final call on that had not been made.
While the timing of the easing will be left to state governments, it is hoped that at least Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra's venues will be open for crowds next month.
"It would have to be a large, open area. There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance. It would need to be ticketed, so people would be able to understand who was in attendance at that event," Morrison said.
"When you're up above 40,000, you've got more than 10,000 people going to a gathering, that has implications for the egress and access of and to those premises, public transport crushes, all those sorts of things.
"That will require much more significant work."
Each state and territory has different restrictions road maps, but July 10 has largely been earmarked as the next date at which restrictions could be eased in stage three of the pandemic management.
That means that Super Rugby AU teams could expect to play in front of crowds as early as the second round of the competition, a big boost for the tournament.
Super Rugby AU kicks off on July 3 at Suncorp Stadium with the Reds hosting the Waratahs.
Across the ditch, Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off on Saturday in front of unrestricted crowds after New Zealand eliminated all restrictions earlier this week.
Super Rugby AU kicks off on Friday July 3 at Suncorp Stadium with the Reds taking on the Waratahs from 7:05pm AEST.
