Premier League clubs can look forward to welcoming back spectators in highly limited numbers next month for the first time since March, following an announcement by the British government on Monday.

Up to 4,000 people can return to outdoor sports stadiums in parts of England classified as at low risk from coronavirus from December 2, the ­government said, permitting the resumption of attendance at football, rugby and racecourses among other sports.

The crowd ceiling will be set at 4,000 or half the stadium capacity, whichever is lower, in the lowest-risk "tier one" parts of the country once a stricter lockdown due to the pandemic ends, the government said.

In "tier two" areas, the limit will be 2,000 outdoors, or half the capacity, it said.

In the highest "tier three" regions where COVID-19 remains acute, no spectators will be allowed.

A few pilot events have been held with spectators, such as a cricket match at The Oval, while Brighton hosted Chelsea before this season's Premier League got underway.

However, England's football and rugby leagues, and horse racing venues, have not allowed spectators since the first lockdown began in March.

Rugby and racing were among the sports to receive financial aid from the government last week.

Sports facing financial losses as a result of the absence of fans from stadiums can access a 300 million pound ($40 million) "Winter Survival Package" of loans and grants.

The government said it would spell out which regions of England will sit in which tier on Thursday, based on the latest weekly COVID-19 data.

Prior to the current lockdown, most of the country including London was in tier two.