Madison Square Garden MSG, a multi-faceted sports and entertainment arena located above Penn metro / … [+]
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Fans will soon be returning to sporting events in New York City.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that the state will allow the capacity of up to 10 percent of fans at social distance at places like Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center starting Feb. 23.
Fans must register a negative PCR rapid test within 72 hours of an event. Front cover, social distance and temperature surveys are also required.
The Garden will “host around 2,000 fans” for Knicks and Rangers games.
The Knicks host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors Feb. 23 and Brooklyn-born rookie Obi Toppin can’t wait to have fans in the building.
“We all love our fans,” Toppin said after Wednesday’s Knicks practice in Miami, according to the NY Post. “We have the best fans in the NBA. It will be amazing to have a fan base. But safety comes first. When that time comes for fans to be thrilled. ”
A Knicks official said Postseason ticketing will be a priority.
“We want to thank Governor Cuomo for allowing us to move forward by welcoming fans back to MSG,” the Knicks statement reads. “We plan to host around 2,000 fans at every game, starting with the Knicks ‘February 23 game against the Warriors and the Rangers’ game on February 26 against the Bruins. Health and safety is our top priority, and we work closely with state and health officials to implement the most robust operating protocols. We know our fans want to come back and we can’t wait to see them at the Garden again. “
Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and the Nets will host the Kings of Sacramento February 23rd.
“Thank you to Governor Cuomo and his team at the Department of Health for working with us to create a robust health and safety plan that will allow fans to return to our field,” said BSE Global CEO John Abbamondi. “The Governor has been fantastic in getting New York businesses back on their feet and we are proud to say that we are donating a portion of the ticket profits to support the vaccination efforts of the New York. this in Brooklyn for the rest of the season. We would also like to thank our fans for their support this season and look forward to bringing the energy back to the Barclays Center! ”
The Nets have announced that, subject to availability, Nets season ticket members and series holders will be given priority access to the small number of tickets available for the 2020-21 season.
Twelve NBA teams currently allow a limited number of fans in venues.
Bills Buffalo hosted 7,000 fans for the AFC regional playoff game Jan. 16, and Cuomo called it “an unparalleled success.”
“As we make vaccines and control the spread of COVID, we must at the same time open up this economy, intelligently and in a fair way,” said Cuomo. Buffalo Bills that I have previously mentioned are an unparalleled success.
“We are now going to extend the example of Buffalo Bills. Large stadium or any field [for] hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball can open on February 23. “
Going forward, the Yankees and Mets will be allowed to have several thousand fans. The Yankees are slated to open April 1 against Toronto at the Yankee Stadium, while the Mets host the Miami Marlins April 8 at CitiField.
“Governor Cuomo ‘s announcement today is an encouraging first step,” the Yankees said in a statement released Wednesday.
New York’s seven-day COVID-19 favorable rate fell to 4.38 percent as of Tuesday, the lowest percentage since Dec. 1, per NorthJersey.com.
“It is an encouraging first step for us to welcome fans back to Citi Field,” the Mets said in a statement. “We look forward to working with government officials to ensure that returning to the ball park is safe and convenient for our fans. “