Almost a year to the day the Covid-19 pandemic shut down fan attendance at sporting events, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee announced a pathway for fans to attend games with the advancement of the Health Washington -Roadmap to Recovery “ plan.
LIMITED OUTDOOR CAPACITY
In his announcement, Inslee unveiled a new third phase of the Roadmap, which signaled the return for in-person spectators for professional and high school sports. The Governor also announced that the Roadmap to Recovery will be transitioning from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process.
The announcement by Gov. Inslee allows spectators to attend outdoor venues with permanent seating with a cap of 25% capacity. The opening will affect both professional and high school sports as well as rodeos, motorsports, and other outdoor spectator events.
SEATTLE MARINERS SET TO HOST FAN FOR SEASON OPENER
The announcement paves the way for 9,000 fans to attend the Seattle Mariners season opener on April 1st. Tickets will be available in small, socially distanced pods of 1-6 fans, and pods must be members of the same household. The first 11 games of the season will be offered at first, and season-ticket holders will be given initial priority to reserve their seats before they go on sale to single-game buyers on Thursday, March 25, at 10 a.m. PT.
For more information about health and safety practices and new protocols for entry and guest experience at T-Mobile Park, fans can visit mariners.com/Safety.
SOUNDERS SET TO OPEN WITH FANS
With the news, the Seattle Sounders can now host fans when the club opens the 2021 season on April 16th at Lumen Field. The Rave Green will square off against Minnesota United. While the number of fans will be limited, the Sounders are ecstatic about having fan support for the first time since March 2020.
“Since our gates closed to the public nearly one year ago to this day, we have been waiting for the moment to safely gather together again in support of this team that means so much to us all. To know that the day in question may just be over a month away is an incredibly exciting prospect for our entire Sounders family,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. “We have said all along that public health and safety must come first before welcoming fans back, and while today’s news provides the type of hope and inspiration we all need right now, we will continue to take a methodical approach in implementing this process alongside regional health authorities, our partners at Lumen Field and MLS. We will announce more details in the days to come, but for now, this is a moment worth celebrating across our region.”
GETTING THE HOUSE IN ORDER
In order to host fans inside Lumen Field for the club’s opening match on April 16, Sounders FC is working closely with Public Health – Seattle & King County, First & Goal Inc. and Major League Soccer to finalize the organization’s health and safety protocols. Sounders FC Season Ticket Members retain the first right to attend all future Rave Green home contests. Once the club’s updated venue protocols have been approved by public health authorities and MLS, further details will be made available to the public.
