Vikings React to Increase in Sporting Events Crowd Size
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is once again "turning the dial," but this time in a direction that shows signs that we are nearing the end of no or small crowds.
Starting Monday, March 15th all sporting and entertainment venues with seating capicity up to 500 can open at 50% capacity and for venues that can seat over 10,000, that limit will go much higher stating on April 1st.
Here is how the new guidelines' breakdown:
- Seated outdoor venues can add an additional 25% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Non-seated outdoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 10,000 people.
- Seated indoor venues can add an additional 15% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 3,000 people.
- Non-seated indoor venues can add an additional 10% of their capacity over 500, with a limit of 1,500 people.
So that means the Twins will be able to let 10,000 fans into games a Target Field, and the Vikings, as of April 1st, will get to allow 3,000 fans into U.S. Bank Stadium, but that number will most certainly go up if the state continues to keep the pandemic under control and people get vaccinated.
The Vikings issued a statement today about the changes saying, "We applaud Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health for their announcement to begin increasing fan capacity at all Minnesota professional sports venues."
The Vikings say their top priority is getting fans back in the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium for the 2021 season and that today's move "is a significant step toward our goal of hosting a full stadium this fall."
As the vaccine becomes more available throughout the state, the team is encouraging everyone to get the vaccine saying, "we must see continued success with vaccinations."