Officials expect the Falcons to allow somewhere around 10,000 fans for gamesGETTY IMAGES
A limited number of fans "will be allowed into Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Falcons and Atlanta United home games, beginning with the Falcons' Oct. 11 game," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. The teams "didn't specify how many fans will be permitted in the stadium, but they earlier described a possible capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 to accommodate social-distancing guidelines amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic." They are "expected to settle on a figure near the lower end of that range." The Falcons' season opener against the Seahawks on Sept. 13 was "played without fans in attendance," and there will be no fans at Sunday's game against the Bears "except for roughly 500 'friends, family and associates' that the Falcons said will be there to allow the stadium operations staff 'to assess and address any issues that might surface and be ready to have fans back in the building.'" Meanwhile, the Oct. 11 date will leave Atlanta United with "only two regular-season home matches to be played with fans" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/23).
SLOWLY OPENING UP: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper yesterday said that he "will allow a capacity of 7%, starting Friday, Oct. 2, for large venues with a seating capacity of more than 10,000." In Charlotte, Alaina Getzenberg noted based on that allowance, the Panthers "would be able to have about 5,240 fans in attendance for their second home game of the season" on Oct. 4 against the Cardinals. The exact number of fans that Mecklenburg County and the Panthers have agreed on "has not yet been officially announced." The team "anticipates that over the course of the season they will be allowed to increase the number in attendance and the areas of the stadium available for seating." In July, PSL owners "were given the option of opting out of their ticket plans this season, while maintaining their PSL ownership for future years." More than 50% of owners "took that approach." Those who decided to keep their season tickets for this year "were contacted Tuesday and they will have the opportunity to attend two home games this year." Tickets "will be distributed in 'pods' to support physical distancing with pods of 2-5 people located in every other row with at least two seats between groups" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/23).
TEST RUN: In Phoenix, Katherine Fitzgerald reports the Cardinals have "received approval from the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to have a 'small controlled group' of spectators" at Sunday's game against the Lions. The group "will be limited to no more than 750 people, and it will be comprised of immediate family members or close friends of the players, coaches and staff." This "will serve as a test-run of sorts if fans are able to attend games later in the season." The group Sunday "will allow gameday staff time to test 'the implementation of health and safety protocols' around State Farm Stadium, such as seat spacing, parking and stadium entry." After Sunday, the Cardinals' next home game is not until Oct. 25 against the Seahawks (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/23).
