THE Halliwell Jones Stadium will be able to accommodate just under 5,000 socially-distanced fans when it reopens.

Warrington Wolves have been issued with a new Ground Safety Certificate by Warrington Borough Council which came into force today and assessed the stadium’s total capacity as 15,300.

When social distancing measures are applied, however, that number drops to 4,603 at Method One levels and 2,023 at Method Two.

The club are working towards having 4,000 spectators inside the ground for the scheduled Super League match against Castleford Tigers on the weekend of May 20-23 – with numbers increasing from June 21 if restrictions allow – but have applied to the RFL to be involved in pilot events for the return of fans before then.

Sports stadia in England will be allowed admit a limited number of spectators for matches no earlier than May 17, with attendances limited to either 4,000 people or 50 per cent of the maximum capacity – whichever is lower.

“Warrington Wolves have been working with the local authority and the emergency services to get crowds back into The Halliwell Jones Stadium as soon as current Covid restrictions allow,” the club have said.

“Warrington Wolves have submitted to Warrington Borough Council an application for a new Ground Safety Certificate, under the Safety of Sports Ground Act 1975 for The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“The application has been processed and a Ground Safety certificate issued, reference 20/0068/SG. The new certificate came into force on 3rd March 2021 and runs to 3rd March 2022.”