Fans are set to return to stadium complex
When a Phillies home run lands in the left field seats this season, there will be live fans in Citizens Bank Park to fight for the souvenir.
When the Sixers win a game, there will be customers to sing the celebration song.
When the Flyers lose, the refs will be blamed by real people.
Such were the normals that were formally restored Tuesday when both the city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania lifted enough COVID-19 restrictions to permit 15 percent capacity at indoor sporting events, and when the Phillies announced they will welcome up to 8,800 fans at home games.
“We are thrilled to finally welcome home the best fans in the world,” stated Sixers president of business operations Chris Heck. “Our team feeds off of our fans’ incredible energy, so it’s no coincidence the 76ers have been the best home team in the NBA over the last several years.”
The fan prohibition has been in place for nearly a year as government health officials endeavored to suppress any coronavirus spread. During football season, a window for the Eagles to play before fans opened, yet quickly closed.
This time, the reopening of the stadium complex, in concert with continuing stringent health protocols, is unlikely to be reversed.
“We’ve been working around the clock to ensure that we can safely welcome Flyers and 76ers fans back to Wells Fargo Center, and we’re thrilled to open our doors to Philly sports fans once again,” stated Valerie Camillo, president of business operations for the Flyers and Wells Fargo Center. “This is a big deal for our building and our teams, but it’s also an important step for our local economy.
“Every time the Flyers and 76ers play at home, we’ll have hundreds of part-time employees back on the job and dozens of local businesses will benefit, too,.”
The restrictions will be formally lifted Sunday, when the Flyers will entertain the Capitals at 7. The Sixers will welcome fans for the March 11 game against the Bulls.
Fans at Flyers and Sixers games will be required to wear masks and complete health assessment questionnaires. Social distancing will also be enforced.
The Phillies will welcome fans beginning with their April 1 season opener against the Atlanta Braves.
“I think it’s one we’ll probably never forget,” Joe Girardi said ahead of Opening Day, “because of what we’ve been through the past year, and how appreciative we are that fans are back in the stands.”
The Phillies’ plan is to seat fans in “pods” of anywhere from two to six people. They will require face masks for all fans over the age of 2, unless they are eating or drinking at their seats.
The Phillies will offer ticket-buying options to their season-ticket holders for the first 19 home games. Tickets for the remaining games will go on sale March 12 at Phillies.com. The Phillies are holding out the possibility that the number of tickets available for each game could fluctuate depending on continuing consultation from health officials.
The Flyers and Sixers also said that season ticket holders would be given priority.
“Yay, I’m happy,” Doc Rivers said Monday. “It’s been proven in Philadelphia that on our home court our fans are phenomenal. We need them here.”