England to permit full capacity crowds July 19

Football may or may not be coming home depending on what happens over the last week of the UEFA European Championship, but fans will be back where they belong later this month. 

According to Blake Welton of Sky Sports, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday that sports stadiums and other venues throughout England can operate at full capacity without any coronavirus-related attendance restrictions starting July 19. It's the first time venues can be filled to 100% capacity in the country since the bulk of the sports world temporarily shut down in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Welton added so-called "vaccine passports" won't be mandated by the government but could be used by individual teams or venues per their wishes. 

"We'll move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus," Johnson explained. 

"From step four we will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors. We will allow all businesses to reopen, including nightclubs, we will lift the limit on named visitors to care homes and the numbers of people attending concerts, theatre, and sports events."

A final decision on lifting restrictions is expected to be made on July 12. 

Per the ATP website, Wimbledon organizers announced Sunday that the tournament will go from 50% capacity to 100% on Centre Court and No. 1 Court starting with the quarterfinal round. Restrictions at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club are set to be lifted Tuesday. 

The 2021-22 Premier League season is scheduled to begin Aug. 13 and will include stadiums packed with supporters allowed to cheer, sing, and otherwise enjoy matches without having to adhere to social distancing guidelines.