Crowds with no masks, no restrictions. This is what a post-pandemic world looks like.
Man! The good times, they are coming back and how I miss them! Let's get vaccinations up to 90% like the UK first before we are back again!
Manchester United fans could not have wished for a better result in their opening game as the Red Devils beat old rivals Leeds 5-1
After 19 months of empty seats and eerily quiet stadiums, capacity crowds returned in force on the first Saturday of the new Premier League season.
Social distancing measures at sporting venues were lifted following the easing of Covid restrictions in England on 19 July.
Brentford stunned Arsenal on a thunderous night in west London on Friday, and the atmosphere was no less buoyant around the grounds on Saturday.
Speaking after his side's victory over Leeds at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the return of supporters "creates and sets the mood".
"You get the butterflies again," added the Norwegian. "Suddenly it's a game that matters.
"We felt extra responsibility because it's been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who found the net in Everton's comeback win against Southampton, said afterwards: "It's a great feeling to score with fans being back in the stadium. I felt like a kid again.
"I scored a few last season but with no fans. That was a special one."
Xisco Munoz, whose Watford side beat Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on their top-flight return, told BBC Sport: "Today was an amazing day, perfect because we met with our fans."
Here's how supporters up and down the country celebrated their return.
Old Trafford was packed for the day's early kick-off between old rivals Manchester United and Leeds
The stadium erupted when Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark
A Burnley fan immerses himself in the Clarets' matchday programme prior to the game against Brighton
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans young and old were desperate to get their first glimpse of the 2020-21 Champions League winners, who took on Crystal Palace
Christian Pulisic helped ensure it was an enjoyable afternoon for the Blues faithful
Supporters flocked to Goodison Park to see Everton host Southampton in Rafael Benitez's first Premier League game in charge of the Toffees
Former Liverpool boss Benitez was pleased with his reception from the Everton faithful
2020-21 FA Cup winners Leicester City hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stadium
At Vicarage Road, Watford supporters watched the Hornets beat Aston Villa in their first game back in the Premier League
Norwich City were handed a tough assignment in their first Premier League game of the campaign, welcoming 2019-20 champions Liverpool to Carrow Road
Man! The good times, they are coming back and how I miss them! Let's get vaccinations up to 90% like the UK first before we are back again!
Capacity crowds return for first Premier League Saturday of 2021-22 season
Last updated on14 August 202114 August 2021.From the sectionPremier League
After 19 months of empty seats and eerily quiet stadiums, capacity crowds returned in force on the first Saturday of the new Premier League season.
Social distancing measures at sporting venues were lifted following the easing of Covid restrictions in England on 19 July.
Brentford stunned Arsenal on a thunderous night in west London on Friday, and the atmosphere was no less buoyant around the grounds on Saturday.
Speaking after his side's victory over Leeds at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the return of supporters "creates and sets the mood".
"You get the butterflies again," added the Norwegian. "Suddenly it's a game that matters.
"We felt extra responsibility because it's been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who found the net in Everton's comeback win against Southampton, said afterwards: "It's a great feeling to score with fans being back in the stadium. I felt like a kid again.
"I scored a few last season but with no fans. That was a special one."
Xisco Munoz, whose Watford side beat Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on their top-flight return, told BBC Sport: "Today was an amazing day, perfect because we met with our fans."
Here's how supporters up and down the country celebrated their return.
