On Friday, 4th June The First Minister announced crowds of up to 10,000 would be allowed to return to stadia in Wales subject to two-metre social distancing.
An assessment by independent consultants confirmed a maximum safe capacity at our Sophia Gardens venue of 2,892 spectators. However, the latest Safe Events guidance issued by Welsh Government on Friday, 11th June confirms only members of the same household will be permitted to sit together and all other group ticket buyers will be required to sit two metres apart.
Consequently, the Club anticipates the capacities for all our fixtures, including Vitality Blast matches and our IT20 games between England and Sri Lanka on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th June will be significantly lower on each match day.
Chief Executive Hugh Morris said: “We have no option but to comply with the Welsh Government legislation which is likely to mean an actual capacity of around 1,500 spectators at our stadium for as long as social distancing remains at two metres in Wales.
“In effect, for every single match ticket bought, we are losing the nearest 11 seats to accommodate the social distancing legislation as fans who have bought in groups, and not from the same household, will be required to sit two metres apart.
“Some of the many thousands of cricket fans who have bought tickets for matches in Cardiff this summer will be frustrated and disappointed not to be able to attend these matches.
“Obviously the situation creates many logistical and financial challenges for the Club, which we are currently working through to ensure we are able to welcome as many supporters as possible within these restrictions.
“We will continue to monitor Welsh Government legislation for our matches later in the summer including the England and Pakistan One Day International on Thursday 8th July and matches in The Hundred competition in late July and August.
“The club has already contacted members and Season Ticket Holders, and from Monday, 14th June will communicate with ticket purchasers regarding the status of their tickets for Vitality Blast matches against Kent (Wednesday 16th June) and Middlesex (Friday 18th June) as well as the England and Sri Lanka fixtures on Wednesday. 23rd and Thursday, 24th June.
“The health and safety of cricket fans remains our number one priority. Recent sports pilots have shown how larger capacity crowds can be achieved safely and we want to work with the Welsh Government to ensure more cricket fans are able to return to Sophia Gardens as soon as possible.”
The ticket office at Glamorgan is extremely busy allocating tickets and currently unable to field enquiries. The club will be in contact with ticket purchasers in relation to the status of their tickets at the earliest opportunity.