OXFORD United have confirmed they will be allowed full capacity at the Kassam Stadium from the start of the season.

The U’s welcome Charlton Athletic on Saturday, August 14, in their first home game of the Sky Bet League One campaign, with tickets due to go on sale shortly.

It will be the first time the ground has opened with unrestricted capacity since Karl Robinson’s side beat Southend United 2-1 on February 29, 2020 – a gap of 533 days.

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After getting the all-clear from the area’s safety advisory group, United’s managing director Niall McWilliams hopes the Charlton game can be an occasion to remember as they welcome back home and away fans.

He told the club's official website: “I want to thank our team behind the scenes who have worked so hard to make this happen but the most important thing for us as a football club is that we can welcome fans back and be reunited properly.

“We would love to make a real statement of intent.

"We have almost sold out all our tickets for Cambridge away, can we also get a massive crowd for the first home game again?

“We will play our part; there will be a few protocols that need to be in place but we will also be releasing details of a membership which will save fans money on ticket, and of course we will be welcoming back our season ticket holders who have been amazing, as always.

“We are always realistic. There will be fans who are nervous about returning to crowds, there will be fans who have simply got out of the habit of going to football over the last 18 months, and of course because it’s school holidays people may be away.

“But all we can do is invite fans back and offer them a chance to be part of Oxford’s biggest reunion.

"We have missed seeing them so much and would love to see everyone back at the Kassam Stadium for the opening match.”

United have already sold their 1,400 away allocation for Saturday's League One opener at Cambridge United.

Read also: Oxford United sell out away end for League One opener

The U’s have played just four competitive matches in front of their own supporters since the coronavirus pandemic took hold last March.

Three games last December were limited to no more 2,000 fans, while the League One play-off semi-final first leg against Blackpool in May had a maximum capacity of 4,000.

United were last watched by their own supporters on the road when they beat Shrewsbury Town 3-2 on March 7, 2020.