Premier League fans to return in partial numbers

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The UK Government’s planned easing of restrictions will allow some English Premier League clubs to have fans return from December 2.

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the ten clubs who are permitted to have fans return while the other half of the Premier League including Manchester City and Manchester United will have to continue playing matches behind closed doors.

A four week national lockdown in England is due to end on Wednesday – it will be replaced by a three tier system of different levels of restrictions.

Regions have been placed into different tiers depending on a number of factors such as the number of COVID-19 cases in the area and the rate at which cases are increasing or decreasing.

Clubs in Tier 3 regions are not permitted to have supporters attend games – this includes Aston Villa, Burnley, Leeds United, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and West Brom.

Tier 2 regions can have a maximum of 2,000 supporters attend matches – meaning that Arsenal, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham and West Ham will be able to have supporters return.

There are currently no clubs that are in a region where Tier 1 restrictions will be in place, allowing for up to 4,000 supporters to attend a match.

Thursday’s Europa League match between Arsenal and Rapid Wien at Emirates Stadium will be the first match in England with fans in attendance since March.

“All supporters attending the Rapid Vienna fixture and future games at Emirates Stadium will be required to complete an online health questionnaire and a track-and-trace form prior to the match,” said Arsenal in a media release.

“For the Rapid Vienna game all necessary documentation will be emailed to you once you successfully purchase a ticket and your e-ticket will only be activated when these have been completed. This is in conjunction with UK Government and Premier League guidelines.”

Liverpool will host Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 6 at Anfield and is encouraging fans who will be attending the match to take a COVID-19 test on the day of the game or the day before.

The club will be using a ballot to allocate tickets to fans who live in the Liverpool City Region. Mobile phone technology will also be used for paperless tickets for the match.

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PFA and Fans Association Unite to Bring Fans Closer to Players

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Image credit: PFA

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and the Football Supporters Association Australia (FSAA) have confirmed a new partnership aimed at establishing an official link between professional players and their fans.

The agreement sets out for the two organisations to work together on initiatives that:

  • Foster stronger, more genuine connections between players and supporters

  • Enhance the involvement of players and fans in football decision-making

  • Produce data-driven insights to support the long-term growth of the game

Founded in 2023, the FSAA is a volunteer organisation created to provide a unified, independent voice for Australian football supporters, prioritising a supporter-first approach.

The FSAA represents the interests of fans across all levels of the game and has recently submitted supporter-focused recommendations to Football Australia (FA) and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL).

PFA Chief Executive, Beau Busch highlighted the significance of the new strong foundation already established with the FSAA and the potential for future collaboration.

“Since the establishment of FSAA, we have been able to build an effective working relationship, and this agreement represents another step forward in our shared pursuit of building the game,” he said via PFA press release.

“Globally, we have seen firsthand the benefits of strong collaboration between fan groups and player unions.

“Together we believe we are better equipped to shape the future of Australian football and ensure that the voices of fans and players are heard and respected.”

FSAA Chair, Patrick Clancy described the accord with the PFA as a natural connection between the organisations representing Australian football’s two key groups, players and supporters.

“Australia’s professional players have an inextricable connection with supporters. Many have grown up on the terraces and in the stands and then progress to taking on the game as a career,” he said via FSAA official media release.

“For supporters, there is that strong emotional connection with the players of the club they support week in, week out.

“FSAA wants to continue to foster and grow this important relationship, leverage off our mutual understandings and improve the game in Australia for players and supporters alike.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 20 October 2025 by PFA CEO Beau Busch and FSAA Chair Patrick Clancy, formalising the partnership.

This represents the FSAA’s first MoU with another organisation, with the expectation of establishing additional partnerships in the near future.

Deploy Named Official Match Ball Provider for Gold Coast International 2026

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Image provided by Deploy Football

Deploy, Australia’s leading developer and manufacturer of performance sporting solutions, has been announced as the authorised provider of official match balls for the Gold Coast International 2026. The partnership highlights Deploy’s commitment to supporting football players and clubs across Australia with high quality reliable products.

With a focus on performance, durability and innovation, Deploy ensures every player from grassroots to elite levels can rely on equipment designed to enhance the game. Their premium footballs are crafted to meet the demands of training and competition delivering consistency and quality in every match.

Beyond footballs, Deploy provides practical solutions to clubs supporting the community with products and services that save time, reduce administrative burdens, and help teams perform at their best. This collaboration demonstrates Deploy’s ongoing dedication to growing football in Australia and providing players and clubs with equipment they can trust.

As the official match ball provider for the Gold Coast International 2026, Deploy looks forward to equipping players for a memorable tournament and reinforcing its role as a key partner in the Australian football community.

For more information, email info@deployfootball.com or call 1800 384 327.

Visit https://deploy.com.au to explore products and services.

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