Some sports fans will get to see their favorite teams play in-person again in the Emerald City.
The Seattle Mariners and Seattle Sounders FC announced plans to allow a limited number of fans at their first games following Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement on Thursday (March 11). The governor said all counties in the state will move to Phase 3 of the COVID-19 recovery plan starting on March 22.
Phase 3 allows spectators to attend outdoor sporting events at 50% capacity, Inslee said.
The Mariners said they got approval from Washington and King County officials to host up to 9,000 fans per game at the T-Mobile Park. This will start Opening Night on April 1. Fans can purchase single-game tickets beginning March 25 at 10 a.m. For more information, click here.
“We have been working closely with state and local officials the past several months to get ready for this day,” John Stanton said, Seattle Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner. “The health and safety of our fans, players and employees is our number one consideration. With the guidance of experts and best practices for health and safety, we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to T-Mobile Park for the first time since 2019."
As for the Sounders FC, the club said they're working with public health officials to host fans again at Lumen Field in time for their April 16 MLS Opener against Minnesota United. They said more details are expected over the next few days.
“Since our gates closed to the public nearly one year ago to this day, we have been waiting for the moment to safely gather together again in support of this team that means so much to us all," Peter Tomozawa said, Sounders FC President of Business Operations. “...we will continue to take a methodical approach in implementing this process alongside regional health authorities, our partners at Lumen Field and MLS. We will announce more details in the days to come, but for now, this is a moment worth celebrating across our region.”
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