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Lucas Oil Stadium (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS– Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Thursday that Lucas Oil Stadium is upping its fan capacity during home games.
The Marion County Department of Health approved a capacity of 7,500 for the game against the New York Jets on Sept. 27, according to Irsay. That’s up from the 2,500 capacity announced for the game against the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday.
The number of fans allowed inside could continue to change as the season progresses.
Because of the reduced capacity, Colts season ticket members – including individual ticket holders selected by seniority, suite holders, and team partners – were given the first opportunity to purchase four-game packs or single game tickets to home games this season.
A limited number of single-game tickets for this game, starting at $46, will go on sale to the public at Colts.com/Tickets or Ticketmaster.com beginning tomorrow, Fri., Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. ET.
The Colts outlined their game day safety plan last week for the home opener on Sunday.
The plan doesn’t allow tailgating in Colts-controlled parking lots, including the South Lot, the Northwest Lot, and Lot A. Touchdown Town will be closed on game days until further notice.
All transactions at the stadium will be cashless.
For fans and security staff:
- Show Up Feeling 100%. Fans must not come to the stadium if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have experienced COVID-19 symptoms, or know they have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Entering & Exiting Stadium. Whenever possible, fans should use the stadium entrance noted on their tickets. Stadium staff will assist fans by identifying entrances and exits with reduced congestion.
- Screening & Temperature Checks. Each fan and gameday employee will participate in a COVID screening, including a questionnaire and a temperature check, prior to entering the stadium.
- Masks or Face Coverings Required. Consistent with local, NFL, and CDC guidelines, each fan and gameday employee will be required to wear a mask or face covering at all times, including during security screenings at stadium entrances and inside the stadium, except when actively eating or drinking.
- Physical Distancing Required. Fans are required to practice physical distancing of at least six feet inside and outside of Lucas Oil Stadium. With multiple entries and exits at four separate gates and more than 1 million square feet of club, concourse, and corridor space, fans will have ample space to practice social distancing. Fans will not be allowed to gather in Lucas Oil Plaza or Bud Light Zone.
- Pod Seating Required. Fan seating will be grouped in “pods” to maintain distance between groups who are not known to one another. Fans must sit in the seats assigned to them.
- First Aid. If a fan or employee begins to feel ill after entering, he or she should visit the nearest First Aid Room, where an onsite medical team will be prepared to treat the person:
- Street Level – Near Sections 148 (Main First Aid Room) or 118
- Loge Level – Near Section 132
- Terrace Level – Near Section 519 or 544
- Tailgating. Tailgating will not be permitted in Colts-controlled parking lots, including the South Lot, the Northwest Lot, and Lot A. All other tailgating policies will be set at the discretion of the lot operators throughout downtown. Fans should contact the appropriate lot operator for its policy.
- American Family Insurance Touchdown Town. Until further notice, Touchdown Town will not be active on game day.
The Colts will use mobile-only ticketing and security screenings will minimize person-to-person contact. During the 2020 season, all transactions will be cashless, with debit and credit cards or mobile pay services being accepted.
The team said cash-to-card machines will be available outside sections 116 and 153, allowing fans to exchange cash for pre-paid debit cards.
Concession and catering staff will be trained in CDC guidelines and must wear personal protective equipment, follow enhanced handwashing procedures, and maintain cleaning and sanitization protocols for food and beverage contact surfaces.
A Plexiglass shield will separate workers from fans; all food items will be served in single-served, closed containers with disposable silverware and condiments.
Here are a few things to look for at Lucas Oil Stadium:
- Limited Stadium Capacity. As was announced last week, capacity will be limited to a maximum of 2,500 attendees for the Sept. 20 home opener. Colts staff will meet with local health officials as early as this week to discuss capacity for future games.
- Stadium Disinfection & Cleaning. Stadium staff will routinely disinfect all surfaces, including door handles, push plates, restroom fixtures and partitions, tables and furniture, trash cans, and other areas on a 24/7 basis. Every restroom will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly on a daily basis using electrostatic products that provide coverage of all hard surfaces at a rate of 18,000 square feet per hour and kills 99.9% of bacteria in five seconds.
- Directional Signage. Directional signage will be placed throughout the stadium to help maintain physical distancing. Fans and employees should follow all posted signage and continue to abide by physical distancing markers that appear in elevators, near escalators, in concession lines, restrooms, and other locations.
- Stadium Roof/Window. The stadium is equipped with hospital-grade air filters and provides 24/7 air circulation. The total air supply and outdoor air ventilation are set for each event based on the specific event requirements and outdoor weather conditions. As such, the stadium roof and window will be open when weather and other operational conditions permit. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Colts social media the week of each home game to find out if the roof will be open or closed.
- Hand Sanitizer Stations. Fans and employees will have access to hand sanitizer stations throughout the stadium. Fans and staff are encouraged to sanitize and wash their hands frequently on gamedays.
- Staff Training & Protocols. Front-line stadium staff and vendors working game days will complete enhanced training on CDC guidelines, PPE, and other COVID-19 practices and protocols and will abide by all stadium health and safety policies.
- Proximity to Players. All seating within 20 ft. of any field entrance, including at least the first eight rows of the lower stadium bowl, will be covered.