Allegiant Stadium’s First Football Fans In Attendance Could Be UNLV Football Fans
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
UNLV football games might end up having the first fans at the Raiders’ new Allegiant Stadium in this COVID-19 pandemic era.
With Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak increasing the number of people in gatherings, UNLV announced Tuesday it has “developed a plan to allow for a limited number of fans to attend its home football games this fall at Allegiant Stadium.”
UNLV will be submitting a coronavirus protocol plan to Southern Nevada health and state business officials in hopes of limiting capacity to 10 percent of the stadium’s 65,000-seat capacity.
“If the plan is approved, seating capacity will be limited to 10 percent of the stadium’s capacity. Tickets would be sold on a game-by-game basis. If fans are permitted to attend games, all will be required to wear masks and to maintain social distance, as well as follow other health and safety protocols,” UNLV said in a statement today.
Ten percent of a 65,000-seat stadium means UNLV is looking to have 6,500 fans at its first home game at the new football stadium.
“As Governor Sisolak shared, let’s all continue to promote personal responsibility and follow the important safety protocols, including wearing our masks, so that we can remain healthy, safe and continue the positive trajectory.” UNLV Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a statement.
The Raiders, which built the $2 billion stadium project on 62.5 acres on the west side of I-15 across from Mandalay Bay, are not having fans at the domed stadium. Southern Nevada is contributing $750 million to the construction of the palatial football playground.
Raiders owner Mark Davis said if all the season ticket holders could not attend the games at Allegiant Stadium, then non would. Davis himself did not attend the Raiders’ first home game at the stadium on Monday Night Football Sept. 21.
UNLV season ticket holders who have purchased football tickets for the 2020 season have three options: Defer the funds towards 2021 season tickets; donate the funds to the Rebel Athletic Fund; or receive a refund.
The first two options will allow season ticket holders the opportunity to keep their same seats in 2021.
Individual ticket price points for this season’s football games are currently being determined.
Premium customers, including those in Suites and VVIP areas, will remain season ticket holders for 2020 and will not be required to purchase on a single-game basis.
