Cardinals to have small group of fans vs. Lions

When the Cardinals take the field Sunday against the Lions, they will hear some real, in-person cheers from some very familiar voices.

The team has received approval from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to have a “small controlled group” of spectators at Sunday’s game.

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. That has not yet been determined, and it will depend on state-wide numbers.

In a letter to the team Monday, Dr. Cara Christ, the ADHS director said that “this can be an important next step for fans safely returning to in-person viewing.”

The group Sunday will allow stadium staff time to test “the implementation of health and safety protocols” around State Farm Stadium.

While the presence of family and friends could provide an extra emotional boost for the 2-0 Cardinals, there were public health reasons behind selecting the group as well. In the letter, Christ wrote that “because attendance is limited to staff and family members, we feel it is a controlled group that likely already has significant contact with one another.”

After Sunday, the Cardinals’ next home game is not until Oct. 25, against Seattle.

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