Top-level sport in England could restart behind closed doors from June 1 but spectators may not be able to attend venues until a vaccine is found.
The UK Government's road map for exiting the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus was published on Monday afternoon, setting out the conditions under which various activities can be safely carried out.
Step two of the road map, which cannot begin any earlier than 1 June, includes "permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact".
This will only be possible though if sufficient progress is made in limiting the spread of the virus between now and then, but the document entitled 'Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government's Covid-19 Recovery Strategy' says that "organisations should plan accordingly".
It is less clear when supporters will be able to return to venues. The document talks about venues such as cinemas and hairdressers reopening in step three - no earlier than 4 July - but states: "Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part.
"Nevertheless the Government will wish to open as many businesses and public places as the data and information at the time allows.
"In order to facilitate the fastest possible reopening of these types of higher-risk businesses and public places, the Government will carefully phase and pilot reopenings to test their ability to adopt the new Covid-19 Secure guidelines.
"The Government will also monitor carefully the effects of reopening other similar establishments elsewhere in the world, as this happens.
"The Government will establish a series of task forces to work closely with stakeholders in these sectors to develop ways in which they can make these businesses and public places COVID-19 Secure."
Page 21 of the document warns that opening of venues such as sports stadia "may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections".
Top-flight football in Britain has been suspended since 13 March, but the Premier League are hoping to resume in June where they hope to play the remaining 92 league fixtures.
Cricket in England and Wales is eyeing a 1 July date to start back, following a decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Racing industry leaders were already meeting to discuss the implications of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech on Sunday evening.
The British Horseracing Authority tweeted on Monday morning: "Industry leaders are meeting to discuss the available information and will issue an initial response later today.
"The BHA is continuing to liaise with Government regarding yesterday's address, and we expect further guidance this afternoon and tomorrow.
"In the meantime we continue to plan for the resumption of racing, alongside industry colleagues."
Racing has not taken place in Britain since the meetings at Wetherby and Taunton on 17 March, which were both held behind closed doors. Fixtures were initially suspended until the end of April, before that was extended to an unspecified date.
Under a "best-case scenario", two high-profile weekends had been pencilled in for the end of May, with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on the first weekend in June
