Rentschler Stadium game can have fans
Masks, social distancing mandated for Nov. 1 match against Inter Miami FC
Fans will be in attendance for Toronto FC’s final homegameatRentschler Stadium onNov. 1, the team and state announced on Friday. Toronto, a MajorLeagueSoccerteam, cannot play games in Canada due to government sanctioned COVID-19 restrictions, and has played three home games without fans in East Hartford already.
“We’ve consulted with state and local public health officials and as long as certain health protocols are met, we believe that having a limited audience can safely be done, especially consideringthatthisisanoutdoorstadium,” Gov. NedLamontsaidinastatement.“I look forward to the day whenwecanfill the Rent back up to capacity. I appreciate Toronto FC and Major League Soccer for working with our administration so that wecould makethis happen.”
Attendance will be capped at 5,000 fans, which is just over 13 percent of Rentschler Stadium’s 38,000-person
capacity. There will be two price points, with seating available in the upper and lower bowls of the stadium. Fans will be required to wear proper face coverings and adhere to social distancing policies. Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m.
Toronto played its first game at Rentschler on Sept. 27. It hosted Philadelphia Union on Oct. 3 and the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 13. The team will play three more games in East Hartford to close out the regular season, with the last being the Nov. 1 match against Inter Miami FC.
“We look forward to having some fans in the stands for our final regular season game in East Hartford,”Toronto FC President Bill Manning said in a statement. “Toronto FC is so grateful to the state of Connecti
cut and everyone at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field for providing us with such an outstanding facility during this unique stretch of games. Our players feel the support already and having some fans will make it even better.”
Hartford Athletic, a United Soccer League team, played all of its home games at Dillon Stadium in front of fans, with a 25 percent capacity. After Connecticut moved into phase three of its reopening, the stadium allowed 40 percent capacity for its playoff game last Saturday.
Toronto FC is in first place of the eastern conference with a record of 11-2-5.