Giants set for December return
Post lockdown plan agreed with spectators attending
Last updated 15th Jul 2020
Ice hockey will not be returning in Northern Ireland until at least the end of the year.
New plans, agreed yesterday, would see the Belfast Giants back playing for the first time since lockdown, in December - with the season finishing in May next year.
Initially, the Elite League had planned to come back in October but it is hoped that by December fans will be able to attend games.
A meeting to discuss fixtures is scheduled for the beginning of September, with pre-season games provisionally arranged to take place in November.
League Chairman Tony Smith explained:
“There are two factors that we need to consider with any return to play plan: 1) We need 6 to 8 weeks from the time we know we can play in order to complete our teams, get work visas in place, book flights, buy equipment, etc.; 2) we need our fans. We cannot play behind closed doors or with very limited capacity, it just isn’t an option.”