The Government has today announced that £300m will be invested into spectator sports that have had their revenue significantly damaged by the coronavirus due to lack of ticket sales.
11 sports will benefit from the funds, with rugby union taking the lion’s share with £135m being given to support the much-loved sport.
With sports being at the heart of communities, it was feared that without government intervention, smaller clubs would see their doors shut for good because overheads are still being paid out, but with little revenue coming in.
The funds, according to the Government, are mostly in the form of loans, with the governing bodies of these sports having to pay back the money in due course.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.
“We promised to stand by sports when we had to postpone fans returning. We are doing just that by delivering another £300 million on top of existing business support schemes.
“Britain is a sports powerhouse, and this Government will do everything we can to help our precious sports and clubs make it through Covid.”
