Coronavirus: Limited number of fans allowed for Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati match this weekend

COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC will sell a limited number of tickets for fans to attend this weekend’s match against rival FC Cincinnati, according to a club spokesperson.

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Only 1,500 tickets will be available and will be sold first to season ticket members during a pre-sale event at 1 p.m. Thursday, the club announced. Priority will be given in waves based on season ticket tenure.

The 1,500 tickets available is a significant reduction in attendance. MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus’ home field, has a capacity for soccer set just under 20,000. Tailgating before the game will not be allowed, according to club officials.

“Crew SC consulted government health officials, Populous – a leading sports architecture firm and venue reconfiguration expert – along with Major League Soccer and their experts during the creation and implementation of the Health and Safety Protocols,” a Crew spokesperson said in the announcement.

All fans and stadium staff will be required to wear masks at all times and social distancing protocols of at least six feet will be in place for seating pods, club officials said.

“This distancing requirement, along with the tiered on-sale process based on tenure, will very likely result in the unavailability of exact season ticket member locations,” the club spokesperson said.

Additional details about the Crew’s plans for fans in the stands this weekend can be found on the club’s website.

“We recognize that circumstances are fluid and as such, have designed plans to maximize flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. We will continue to collaborate with public health experts, government officials and the MLS to make the return to the Stadium as safe as possible,” Crew SC President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in the club announcement.

Sunday’s match between FC Cincinnati and the Crew is part of the MLS’ “Phase One” restart plan. Following the MLS is Back Tournament, a “bubble” competition in Orlando, clubs were scheduled for six games during the “Phase One.” Details about the league’s second phase have not been announced.

Sunday’s match will be the fifth of the six scheduled games for both teams. Cincinnati and Columbus played to a scoreless draw at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium last Saturday.

Ohio approved for immediate family members to attend high school sporting competitions in August. Gov. Mike DeWine and state health officials also initially gave to green light for fans to attend the Memorial Tournament in Dublin in July, however the plan was later scrapped and fans were not permitted for the competition.

Cox Media Group