The German Bundesliga will be the first European football league to restart after getting the go-ahead from the government.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has approved plans for the top two professional divisions to resume and the German Football League (DFL) has confirmed that the first matches will be played on Saturday 16 May.
As part of the country’s ongoing coronavirus measures all matches will be played behind closed doors.
Nine rounds of fixtures remain in the Bundesliga and the new schedule will see the final weekend of the season played on 27-28 June. Bayern Munich are currently top of the table.
Christian Seifert, DFL managing director, said: “[The] decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner.
“Games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. In a crisis threatening the very existence of some clubs, however, it is the only way to ensure the continued existence of the leagues in their current form.
“On this day, I would like to thank the political decision-makers from the federal and state governments for their trust.”
Bayern Munich chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge added: “I would like to thank the politicians for giving today’s decision [and for] the opportunity to finish the Bundesliga season.
“We are now looking forward to resuming play, ideally from mid-May. This ensures that the sporting decisions are made on the pitch.
“I appeal to everyone involved to follow the requirements, which are the basis for resuming games, in an exemplary and extremely disciplined manner.”