Spectators will return to sport on Saturday when the World Snooker Championship gets under way with the Crucible to open its doors to fans once again.

The venue in Sheffield could be up to 33 per cent full on the first day of the tournament and the hope is that a capacity crowd of 980 people will attend next month's final on May 3.

A lot depends on the results of the Government's pilot events, which are being used to help England and sport out of lockdown.

Up to 4,000 people – made up of Brent residents and key workers – will be able to witness Leicester and Southampton do battle on Sunday for a place in the FA Cup final.

While those in attendance will not specifically be supporters of either club, whoever wins to reach the showpiece event under the arch could feature in front of 21,000 spectators on May 15, which would include their own fans.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said: "The players have done tremendously well to be so competitive (without fans). To have 4,000, it's a start of getting people back into stadiums and we'll look forward to seeing them there."

The pilot events are part of the Government's science-led Events Research Programme (ERP) which is working closely with local authorities and organisers to help get fans back in safely to sport.