The Pittsburgh Penguins became the latest NHL team on Monday to announce that they would allow fans back to their home arena during a coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 500,000 Americans.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins received approval today from Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Department of Health to reopen PPG Paints Arena to fans at 15 percent capacity (2,800),” the team wrote in a press release.
The Penguins were opening up tickets to “season ticket holders only” on a “priority basis.” The first game fans would be allowed back was Tuesday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Penguins received approval today from Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Department of Health to reopen PPG Paints Arena to fans at 15% capacity (2,800).
Full details: https://t.co/Ekg9CLw6C5 pic.twitter.com/FDd3K4x2ft
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 1, 2021
“It is a great day for hockey, indeed, and we are very excited for our fans,” David Morehouse, president and CEO of the Penguins, said in the announcement. “We are grateful to Governor Wolf, Health Secretary Alison Beam and their team for their continuous communication and support. We also are thankful for the help and guidance we received from our partners at UPMC for helping us to prepare a detailed plan for a safe re-opening, as well as County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. We are focused on giving our fans the safest and most efficient experience possible inside PPG Paints Arena – where they belong.”
Despite several new variants of COVID-19 spreading and a high baseline of positive cases that rivals last summer’s peak (~70k cases), many states are ignoring CDC recommendations and are aggressively loosening restrictions as Americans get vaccinated across the country.
“Things are tenuous. Now is not the time to relax restrictions,” CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said according to Yahoo. “We cannot get comfortable or give in to a false sense of security that the worst of the pandemic is behind us.”
According to the Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno, the Penguins are one of 16 teams that have fans back already or have plans to open.
The Philadelphia Flyers will join their cross-state rivals in adding fans beginning on Sunday.
Is it March 7th yet?
Details: https://t.co/SNKSiaGmOX pic.twitter.com/VMJ3kTw1VT
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 2, 2021
Here’s the full list.
NHL teams allowing fans or planning to
| Team | Arena | Capacity | Amount Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Coyotes | Gila River Arena | 17,125 | 3,450 (25%) |
| Boston Bruins | TD Garden | 17,565 | 2,300 (12%) on 3/22 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Key Bank Arena | 19,070 | 1,907 (10%) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | PNC Arena | 18,068 | 2,965 (15%) |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Nationwide Arena | 18,144 | 1,953 (10%) on 3/2 |
| Dallas Stars | American Airlines Center | 18,532 | 5,000 (30%) |
| Florida Panthers | BB&T Center | 19,250 | 4,500 (25%) |
| Nashville Predators | Bridgestone Arena | 17,113 | 2,625 (15%) |
| New Jersey Devils | Prudential Center | 16,514 | 1,650 (10%) |
| New York Islanders | Barclays Center Nassau Coliseum |
15,813 16,234 |
1,580 (10%) 1,620 (10%) |
| New York Rangers | Madison Square Garden | 18,006 | 1,800 (10%) |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Wells Fargo Center | 19,541 | 2,930 (15%) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | PPG Paints Arena | 18,387 | 2,800 (15%) |
| St. Louis Blues | Enterprise Center | 19,150 | 1,400 (7.5%) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Amalie Arena | 19,092 | 4,000 (23%) |
| Vegas Golden Knights | T-Mobile Arena | 17,500 | 2,500 (15%) |
The Washington Capitals are one of 15 teams not allowing fans at games including all seven North Division Canadian teams.
The full no fans teams include the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, and Winnipeg Jets.
