Supporters allowed back to EFL matches with test events at Cambridge United confirmed

Luton haven't been able to play in front of fans at Kenilworth Road since March

Luton's hopes of being allowed to welcome fans back to Kenilworth Road once more have been boosted by the news that supporters can attend two EFL fixtures next week, with both matches confirmed as test events in line with the Government's pilot scheme.

The games are at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium, starting with the EFL Trophy fixture against Fulham U21s on Tuesday, September 8 and the club’s opening League Two clash of the 2020/21 season against Carlisle United on Saturday, September 12.

A capacity of 1,000 has been allowed for the Trophy game, with 2,500 tickets to be sold when the U's host Carlisle.

A statement on the EFL website said: "The club has been chosen to host the two test events, having previously been part of a joint project by the EFL and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) that looked at the safe application of social distancing at football grounds.

"That work was overseen by crowd dynamics experts Movement Strategies, who will also assess the pilot at the Abbey Stadium on behalf of the SGSA and DCMS.

"Appropriate measures have been applied at the Abbey Stadium, with both terraces and seating arrangements available.

"As a result of two fixtures taking place at the same venue in a short period of time, it will allow for any learnings to be implemented quickly under the same conditions.

"The insight received from this initial phase of matches taking place will test the application of the Government’s Stage 5 Guidance and the SGSA’s Planning for Social Distancing at Sports Grounds guidance, which was developed following the insight provided by the Movement Strategies modelling work."