Yankee Stadium to open at 20% capacity for start of 2021 regular season
The New York Yankees, in conjunction with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health, today announced that Yankee Stadium would open to a 20% capacity to start the 2021 regular season.
“The entire Yankees organization — and especially our players on the field — feed off the energy that our loyal and dedicated fans bring to Yankee Stadium,” said Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. “Our fans have made our home a preeminent worldwide attraction, and their excitement is the catalyst for the championship goals we set every season. We are thrilled to be able to have them back in 2021 and promise them the highest standards for health and safety this season and beyond.
“We are heartened by the Governor’s decision to allow us to begin the season at Yankee Stadium with a 20% capacity and offer our deep appreciation for his office’s diligent work and guidance. This will be a very special year in the Bronx, and we will continue to work together with the State of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City of New York, Major League Baseball, and other health and safety experts to utilize the best and most responsible practices in our facility. We are fully committed to providing a world-class experience at Yankee Stadium in every respect.”
Subject to improving public health conditions, the Yankees are hopeful to be able to expand capacity in early May 2021. Additionally, the Yankees are hopeful that testing requirements can be eased by mid-May 2021.
WHAT FANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YANKEE STADIUM LIMITED CAPACITY GAMES TO START THE 2021 SEASON
• To begin the season, attendance for select games will be limited to 20% of the capacity of Yankee Stadium.
• Currently, the Limited Capacity Games will be the first 11 regular season home games (Thurs., April 1, 2021 through Wed., April 21, 2021)
• At this time, only tickets in Ticket Pods to these Limited Capacity Games will be available for purchase.
• Yankees season ticket licensees will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to Limited Capacity Games.
• On-sale dates and details for tickets that may be available for the general public will be announced shortly.
YANKEE STADIUM HEALTH & SAFETY IN 2021
COVID-19 TESTING / PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
To begin the season, each Guest in attendance will be required to take a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test with negative results or provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. More information will be posted shortly on COVID19 testing and proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Each Guest in attendance will be required to complete temperature checks on each game day in order to gain entry.
FACE COVERING PROTOCOLS
All Guests two (2) years and older, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times while visiting Yankee Stadium except when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats. Facial shields without an accompanying facial covering will not be permitted.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
To begin the season, attendance for select games will be limited to 20% of the capacity of Yankee Stadium. Accordingly, we will be selling a limited number of tickets in specified temporary seating locations (“Ticket Pod(s)”) to select home games (“Limited Capacity Games”) in an effort to maintain New York State’s physical distancing requirements. Seating will be sold in Tickets Pods that range in size from one (1) to eight (8) Guests. The majority of the Ticket Pods will be two (2) to four (4) Guests in size.
MOBILE TICKETING
Due to health and safety concerns related to the pandemic, contactless technology will be implemented in many aspects of the Yankee Stadium experience. As such, all tickets will be delivered digitally/mobile-only and available on the Guests’ mobile devices via the MLB Ballpark app. No paper tickets will be issued.
CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS
To reduce and avoid contact between cash and food/retail handling, all Yankee Stadium retail food and beverage locations will be cashless and will only accept credit/debit cards, advanced purchases, and touchless payments. Additionally, mobile ordering and pick up through Uber Eats will be available at select stands on the Field and Main Levels. For Guests who wish to pay with cash, cash conversion stations (e.g., reverse ATM machines) will be available at four locations throughout Yankee Stadium issuing no-fee, prepaid debit cards starting at $1 minimum denomination. The prepaid debit card can be used at any food or retail location inside the Stadium. Any remaining funds left on the prepaid debit card can be used anywhere that Mastercard is accepted.