PM opens door for large crowds to return in July

The NRL will ramp up discussions with state governments after Prime Minister Scott Morrison flagged the prospect of 10,000-strong crowds returning to stadiums next month.

Friday's announcement of an easing in stage-three COVID-19 safety restrictions "sometime in July", according to Morrison, would result in venues capable of holding 40,000 people permitted to have 25 per cent capacity under social distancing rules.

Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium is one such venue that could fit 10,000 supporters under the guidelines, while Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium could host 7500 fans given its 30,000 capacity.

With each state government having final say over the timing and implementation of restrictions, the NRL will fast-track talks with NSW, Queensland and Victorian officials around the return of fully fledged crowds in coming weeks.

"There would need to be seats at the appropriate distance," the Prime Minister said of outdoor events that would qualify to host capped crowds.

"It would need to be ticketed, so people would be able to understand who was in attendance at that event.

"This is not something that's happening straight away. This is something that would be happening as part of step three, where states and territories choose to move to that, and it will require a bit more work.

"I am not anticipating any such stadium to be doing this this month, it would be sometime in July."

NRL.com understands shifting games to ANZ Stadium has also been raised with clubs and the Berejiklian government now that its planned rebuild has been scrapped.

Mr Morrison indicated on Friday that Australia's largest venues such as ANZ Stadium and the Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds could also be allowed to host 10,000 people, but details on those stadiums are still being worked out with relevant state health officials.

NRL.com has been told ANZ Stadium could be game-ready again by July if fixtures are locked in.

"For the larger [stadiums] I would venture that it would be the subject of a discrete approval for each venue that would be worked out with the Chief Health Officer in each state or territory," he said.

"So by the time you get into July there may be that type of opportunity for the rules that apply to those under 40,000 to carry over to those above 40,000."

A small amount of NRL fans have been permitted to attend games this weekend by using the corporate boxes available at respective grounds.

A crowd of 178 people was allowed to watch Manly down Brisbane on Thursday night at Central Coast Stadium, while an estimated 650 fans will be permitted at each of the three games played at Bankwest Stadium this weekend.

Temperature checks are required of everyone attending the venue while social distancing rules of one person every four square metres are also in play.

NRL venues are locked in until round nine, with hope growing that teams may be able to host games at their regular home grounds from mid-July.