English Premier League club Brighton will host their top-flight rivals Chelsea in a pre-season friendly on Saturday and 2,500 spectators will be admitted into the stands for the first time in over six months. 

The UK government announced earlier this week that a number of pilot sporting events will be used to test whether it is safe to have spectators return. 

Saturday's game will be the first pilot event for football in England, followed by a women's football pre-season friendly in Lewes on Sunday. 

"It's a big opportunity to demonstrate to the government and public that we can stage an event safely. It is the first small step to a return to normal," said Brighton's chief executive Paul Barber. 

A total of 2,500 tickets will be available to Brighton's season-ticket holders and club members. 

As part of the COVID security arrangements, face coverings must be worn when entering the stadium but can be removed once fans are seated or while eating or drinking. Random temperature checks will also be carried out. And supporters must socially distance and ensure they only sit in the seat allocated to them. 

All mass gatherings have been suspended in England since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic but snooker, football, cricket and a few elite sport events resumed in June behind closed doors.  

If the pilot events go well, fans are expected to return to stadiums in October.

The Premier League will start the new season on September 12. According to reports however, at least eight Chelsea players who did not show up for pre-season training have been forced to quarantine, with four of them testing positive for COVID-19. No names have yet been confirmed by the club. 

A total of 14 positive cases have so far been confirmed across 12 clubs in the English top flight. 

(with input from agencies)