Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he is “hopeful and optimistic” that large-scale crowds will be able to return to sporting events this summer on the day the first restrictions were lifted.

Monday marked the return of grassroots outdoor sport after nearly three months of lockdown, with further relaxations pencilled in for April 12, May 17 and June 21.

From May 17, stadiums could be permitted to host as many as 10,000 fans, while from June 21 the current plan is for restrictions to be lifted completely.

Pilot events will explore how spectators can return safely in large numbers to stadiums.

The rescheduled Euro 2020, which is due to be played across the continent including at Wembley, Hampden and the Aviva Stadium, straddles June 21.

Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, told Sky Sports News: “For the later matches in the tournament, we’ll be looking at substantially more than that (10,000), but that is subject to finding a safe way of doing that.

“I’m very hopeful and optimistic that we will get many, many more people in for the later stage games.”

British number one Johanna Konta hopes tennis can be one of the sports to benefit.

“I’m so happy people in England are now able to get back on court and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of tennis,” she said.

“It’s a great sport for anyone looking to get active outdoors after lockdown at a safe, social distance, and I’d encourage everyone to pick up a racket, no matter whether they’re a seasoned player or trying tennis for the first time.”