Tag: capacity

Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; An Indianapolis Colts fan pose for a picture before the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colts become final NFL team approved for full capacity in 2021

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All 32 NFL teams now have clearance to host crowds at full capacity for the 2021 season.

The Indianapolis Colts announced Tuesday they received approval from the Marion County Public Health Department to host games at 100 percent capacity for the upcoming season. Lucas Oil Stadium seats 63,000.

In May, NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly told reporters that 30 of the league’s 32 teams had received approval from state or local health authorities to return to full-capacity stadiums in the coming season, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced teams to restrict fan access to games in 2020. Some teams did not host fans at all in 2020, while others operated with a drastically reduced capacity.

The two teams that still needed approval were the Colts and the Denver Broncos. Denver announced earlier this month that it had been cleared for full capacity.

“We were fortunate to be able to host fans in 2020 through the pandemic, and those fans were as loud and proud as ever,” Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay said in a statement. “But game days at Lucas Oil Stadium are like family reunions, and it wasn’t quite the same without our entire Colts family alongside us.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Pittsburgh Steelers take the field to play the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers, Browns to play before limited crowd of 2,500

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seating capacity at Sunday night’s wild-card game in Pittsburgh between the Steelers and the Cleveland Browns will be limited to 2,500.

Tickets will not be sold, and the people in the seats at Heinz Field will be guests of the Steelers. The decision follows orders of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to reduce capacity in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this season, the Steelers sold limited tickets, with a season high of 5,909 fans against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 15 before Wolf’s order took effect.

“We are disappointed we will not be able to host our season ticket holders and other fans at Heinz Field on Sunday night against the Cleveland Browns in our AFC Wild Card Game,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said. “We were hoping to receive approval to host fans for the playoffs at a capacity similar to our games in October and November, but unfortunately the state’s orders will only permit 2,500 total people in the building, including players, coaches and staff. This will limit fans in the seating bowl to family and friends of players and the team.”

The Steelers, the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, and the No. 6 Browns are scheduled to kick off Sunday at 8:15 p.m. in the final of six wild-card games this weekend.

The AFC North rivals split their season series. The Steelers won at home on Oct. 18, 38-7. The Browns won 24-22 in Cleveland in the regular-season finale on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; A general view of empty stands before a NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL plans 20 percent capacity for Super Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Super Bowl tickets will be harder to get than ever.

The NFL currently plans to limit attendance to 20 percent for Super Bowl LV, scheduled for Feb. 7, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., ESPN reported Wednesday.

The stadium has a seating capacity of 65,618 fans, expandable to 75,000 for special events, meaning an estimated crowd of 13,000 to 15,000 could be allowed to attend the game.

Other restrictions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic include spectators being required to wear masks and sit in “pods six feet apart,” per the report.

ESPN also said the date of the game will not change if the NFL adds a Week 18 to the regular season. The week off currently scheduled between the conference championships and the Super Bowl would be eliminated instead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans look on from the stands during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee to allow fans at 25 percent capacity to start

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee will allow roughly 25,000 fans into Neyland Stadium when the Volunteers’ football season kicks off its home slate in October, the school announced Tuesday.

The figure is based on 25 percent capacity at the Knoxville stadium, which holds 102,455.

The Volunteers face Missouri in their Oct. 3 home opener. The school said capacity restrictions could change as the season progresses, based on coronavirus data and “evolving recommendations of public health officials.”

“I can’t overstate how much I empathize with the thousands of fans who won’t get to experience gameday in Neyland Stadium this fall,” Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer said in a statement.

“These circumstances are beyond our control, and we understand the importance of playing our part to keep our community healthy. For those who will be with us in the stadium this season, please know that we are committed to creating the safest possible environment in and around Neyland Stadium,” Fulmer said.

Top priority for tickets goes to current students and active donors, and season-ticket holders who choose not to attend games this season will not lose their seats, the school said.

The adjusted seating model at Neyland Stadium follows mandated guidelines for social distancing.

–Field Level Media