The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Team outlines plan for fans to attend games
Season ticket holders can expect details in letter, although the plan still must be approved by Gov. DeWine.
The Browns have come up with a plan they hope will allow season ticket holders who have not opted out to attend games at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2020.
The plan must be approved by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine before it can be implemented.
Here are important details that will be included in a letter going out to season ticket holders:
• Tickets will be available in “pods of known fans,” which are “considered to be trusted, self-selected groups ranging from 1-10 people (final numbers subject to government approval), who will be able to sit next to each other in their pod. No pods will be within six feet of each other, according to a story on the Browns’ website.
• Eligible season-ticket members will have access to tickets on a rolling basis in “waves” based on tenure and Private Seat License status, and will be assigned a designated window of time during which tickets can be purchased on a first-come, firstserved basis.
• FirstEnergy Stadium will be divided into four separate color quadrants to minimize movement and contact with others. Fans will be assigned a specific zone and entrance gate, based on the location of their tickets, as well as a recommended time to arrive to avoid congestion that could be caused by fans showing up at the same time.
The Browns have outlined numerous other precautions to allow fans into FirstEnergy Stadium during the novel coronavirus. Fans aged 10 and older must wear masks unless they are eating or drinking. They must agree to a “Fan Health Promise” that includes a pre-game self-health screening and self-temperature check. All Browns staff members and vendors on-site at FirstEnergy Stadium must meet the same requirements.
The Browns open their 2020 season in Baltimore on Sept. 13. Their first home game is Sept. 17, a Thursday night, against the
Cincinnati Bengals.
“Given we are less than a month away from our first home game, we felt it was important for us to share these stadium operations elements with our fans now so they are informed and ready to adhere to all of the new policies and processes in place on game days, if we are ultimately approved to host fans,” Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Dave Jenkins said in the story on the team’s website. “Moving forward is reliant on government approvals, and we understand and respect that process.
“If we can secure the necessary approvals, we look forward to hosting a limited amount of fans at Browns games this year so that those who want to attend can experience the 2020 season. As is the case every year, the health and safety of everyone in our building is paramount, and we are prepared to execute our plan with that priority in mind.”
The Browns recently presented their plan to the city of Cleveland and state government officials and are waiting for approval.