A glimmer of hope for Brumbies, Raiders crowds in Canberra

The Brumbies and Canberra Raiders will be working with stadium and ACT government officials in a bid to give some fans access to live sport this year.

The NRL and NSW government have agreed to allow fans to attend in corporate boxes, provided they adhere to the 50 person per room and one person per four-square metres restrictions.

Canberra teams hope a similar deal can be struck in the capital, with the Brumbies set to play the first game of a new domestic Super Rugby competition at home on July 3.

Initial plans have been floated for any spectators to be seated in the eastern grandstand at Canberra Stadium, leaving the western side as a the "clean zone" for players and officials.

The Raiders will play home games at Campbelltown until at least the end of July, leaving their members and sponsors unsure if they will be able to attend games until a potential Canberra comeback.

"The hope is we can get to a point where we can have crowds attend," said Brumbies general manager Gavin Hunt.

"The NRL's plans at the moment are certainly a starting goal. Hopefully we can work towards getting a socially-distanced crowd in to service our membership base.

"It would be ideal if it meets in with the health requirements."

Stadium officials are considering a range of health and safety measures that would be needed to create a clean involvement.

Tickets would have to be purchased before attending and the service of food and drinks would be limited. there will be increased cleaning protocols around "high touch point" areas.

ACT and NSW restrictions have differed since the coronavirus lockdown started. NSW pubs are allowed 50 people per room, provided there is adequate social-distancing space. ACT venues are allowed a maximum of 20 people.

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Queensland venues could follow the NSW lead, with health officials reportedly meeting Queensland Stadiums bosses last week to discuss the potential of allowing fans back in the stands.

"There are no games currently scheduled to be played at [Canberra Stadium]. The ACT government has been and will continue to work with the Raiders and NRL for games to return to Canberra Stadium, but will rely on expert health advice in relation to gatherings if a game is scheduled," a government spokesperson said.

The NRL has forced the Raiders to play home games at Campbelltown until at least round 11, with Canberra officials hoping for a homecoming match against the Rabbitohs on July 25.

Rugby Australia bosses are waiting for broadcasters to agree to a new competition format, which will be a home and away season to start on the first weekend in July.

The Brumbies are expected to play against the Melbourne Rebels in the first game since the post-coronavirus shutdown.

The plan at the moment is for the Brumbies to play home fixtures in Canberra, but it will need approval from Fox Sports, who will have to foot the bill for moving equipment to the capital.

"Things are moving in a positive direction," Hunt said. "It might only be 50 or 100 people in a grandstand, but something is better than nothing.

"At this stage they're looking at that being on the eastern side to be the 'dirty zone' and then have a clean zone where the change rooms are.

"Part of the hard nature of working through all of this and watching it unfold is that we absolutely want to look after our members. Those who have bought full-season passes will hopefully still be able to get in eight home games this year."

The NRL will allow fans to attend games next week, with the Raiders' planning a virtual Viking clap for their game against the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown on Sunday.

Crowds will be able to use corporate facilities and NRL Commision chairman Peter V'landys is targeting July 1 to further ease restrictions.