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Seattle sports teams welcome increase in fans as COVID restrictions ease

The Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday they will allow up to 30,945 fans to enter T-Mobile Park for the upcoming homestand of games starting June 14. Following Washington State and King County guidelines, the team can now offer 26,265 tickets to fully vaccinated fans with seating in non-socially distanced areas, and a remaining 4,680 seats in socially distanced sections.

Currently all events in Washington State are limited under Washington State COVID-19 safety measures. Requirements for spectator events were updated on June 2 to allow new guidelines for fully vaccinated spectators. Fans who provide proof of vaccination are not required to wear a mask in T-Mobile Park as of May 17. The team has also offered prizes and discounts to fans who present proof of vaccination.

Proof of vaccination can be presented in several forms, according to team guidelines:

  • Vaccination card which includes the name of the person, type of vaccine and date of last dose.
  • Photo of a vaccination card as a separate document or on a mobile device.
  • Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider’s electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record.

The team plans to open at full capacity to fans when COVID-19 restrictions in Washington are lifted. On May 13, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state is on track for a statewide reopening date on June 30. Seattle’s first game after this date is July 2. The team says more details will follow on what fans can expect for games post June 30.

The Seattle Sounders are taking a similar approach, reopening the lower bowl of Lumen Field to fans who provide proof of vaccination, and children ages 5-15 who provide proof of a negative COVID test result. The team plans to reopen at full capacity on July 25, despite the team having a match on July 7 – seven days after Washington State’s scheduled reopening.

The NFL has notified teams that it plans to have stadiums operate at full capacity in the fall to begin the 2021 NFL season. Pending the statewide reopening on June 30, the Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field would meet requirements to welcome fans to games with no COVID-19 restrictions.

Climate Pledge Arena, the newly renovated Key Arena, is still in the construction process but has a small set of preparations to adhere to current regulations.

Musical events are scheduled to begin August 5 at Lumen Field and WAMU Theater, September 6 at T-Mobile Park, and October 30 at Climate Pledge Arena.


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