A limited number of fans will be able to watch the World Championship final this weekend, it has been confirmed.

A statement on World Snooker Tour’s websites says the UK Government has given permission to stage the last two days of the tournament at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with an audience.

Fans attended the opening day of the tournament on July 31 only for the Government to temporarily suspend its pilot scheme to allow spectators to sporting events due to a rise in coronavirus cases. But now the scheme is back in place.

A small number of tickets will be available to buy for all four sessions of this year’s final from 10.30am today (Friday) until 6pm the evening before the session start date. Visit http://www.cruciblesnooker.com to book.

The finalists will be announced later today when both semi-final matches come to a conclusion.

The Crucible with a crowd. Picture by Monique Limbos

All fans attending the final must adhere to a Spectator Code of Conduct – a set of rules intended to keep everyone as safe as possible.

A statement on the World Snooker Tour website says: “Compliance to this code is a way of showing respect for fellow spectators whilst on site at this event, any non-compliance could result in the jeopardising of public health which is a risk we cannot take, and therefore all mandatory items listed below must be adhered to for entry to this event:”

At all times people must observe social distancing in all areas inside the Crucible Theatre and around Tudor Square

Spectators must not attend the venue if they are displaying Covid-19 symptoms and agree that if any member of their party was to develop Covid-19 symptoms in the interim, that they will not attend the event.

Do you think allowing fans in for the final is a good idea?