Current guidance

Every part of England is now in one of three Covid-19 alert levels: Tier 1 (medium), Tier 2 (high) and Tier 3 (very high). Here’s a summary of what this mean for sport and physical activity:

Tier 1 (medium)

National restrictions, introduced from 24 September, continue to apply.

Indoors

Organised individual and team sports that have been through return to play protocols can continue, while adhering to the 'rule of six', which means playing in a group of no more than six people.

There are exemptions to this: under-18s, disabled people and, if for educational purposes, over-18s, can play in any number.

Other indoor activity, such as exercise classes, can continue in larger numbers based on the size of the venue, provided that people are in separate groups of up to six people and socially distance, or larger groups if they’re from the same household or support bubble, which do not mix.

Gyms and leisure facilities can stay open, and the ‘rule of six’ applies to informal activity.

Outdoors

National governing body-approved organised team sport, exercise classes and outdoor licensed physical activity and sport participation events can happen in any number provided they're in line with Covid-secure guidance.

The ‘rule of six’ applies to informal sport.

Tier 2 (high)

Indoors

Organised individual and team sport must be played by a single household or support bubble.

Exemptions laid out in Tier 1 on specific groups of people who can play in larger numbers continue to apply.

Exercise classes can also continue as per the rules under Tier 1, while informal sport can only be played indoors by a single household or support bubble.

Gyms and leisure facilities can stay open.

Outdoors

There's no change to the guidance for outdoor sport and physical activity – the Tier 1 rules still apply.

Tier 3 (very high)

Guidance under this tier is subject to change, depending on local and national government agreements.

Indoors

Sport and physical activity can be played as per the guidance under Tier 2.

Gyms and leisure facilities may have to close depending on local approaches to business closures.

Outdoors

Sport and physical activity can be played as per the guidance under Tier 1.