Fan Capacity Update: Wake Forest University Set to Follow Executive Order for Sports Venue Attendance
2/25/2021 4:58:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Deacon Nation will reap the rewards of declining COVID rates and be welcomed back to cheer on all Wake Forest sports programs safely in person thanks to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper's executive order raising spectator limits effective this weekend.
Gov. Cooper announced Wednesday that athletics outdoor venues can now allow 30 percent capacity, with 15 percent capacity for indoor venues seating more than 5,000. Wake Forest will prioritize students for this capacity, along with student-athlete families.
Wake Forest students will receive the first priority for the newly available attendance space at Couch Ballpark, with season tickets and additional single-game tickets also available for purchase at GoDeacs.com/Tickets. All Wake Forest faculty and staff, including Wake Forest Baptist Health and Atrium staff members will continue to receive free admission to baseball games during the 2021 campaign by showing their staff ID card at the box office to claim their ticket, while supplies last. Complimentary tickets to Couch Ballpark are available until capacity is reached. For those wanting to guarantee their attendance in case of a sell-out, tickets may be purchased in advance.
Details regarding attendance to other athletic events will be released in the coming days, including information coming next week on the opportunity to attend men's basketball's final home game of the season on Friday, March 5 versus Georgia Tech.
"The Governor's decision to expand attendance limits is affirmation of everyone's collective efforts to control and reduce the spread of COVID-19," Director of Athletics John Currie said. "We are excited to be able to provide opportunities for more fans to safely enjoy Wake Forest sports in person this spring. Masks will be mandatory along with all other social distancing and safety requirements under Wake Forest, Forsyth County and State of North Carolina regulations as we uphold the Show Humanitate standard of our University."
COVID-19 Health & Safety Information
Attendees will require physical distancing and mandatory face masks or facial coverings, with careful attention to safety protocols for concessions. Tickets will be distributed in seating clusters of two or four tickets, with only tickets purchased from one account included together. Ticket holders are required to sit in their reserved seats and may not interact with fans located in other seating clusters while in the seating bowl.
The process for prioritization will take into account the following guiding principles:
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Safety of fans and student-athletes.
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Transparency of information and process.
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Prioritizing student-athlete families and Wake Forest students.
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Accommodating as many season ticket holders, Deacon Club members, Wake Forest University faculty and staff, and longtime Demon Deacon supporters as possible.
Approved face coverings must:
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Be made with at least two layers of breathable material.
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Fully cover the nose and mouth and stay secure under the chin.
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Fit tight but comfortably against the side of the face.
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Be secured to allow the guest to not have to keep the covering in place with his/her hands.
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Based on guidance from health officials, open-chin triangle bandanas and/or face coverings containing valves, neck covering gaiters or materials with holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Additionally, costume masks are also not considered appropriate face coverings and are prohibited from being worn inside Truist Field.
Exceptions to the face covering policies include:
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When an individual is sitting in his/her assigned seat within the seating bowl, face coverings may be removed briefly while eating and drinking.
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An individual in premium areas may remove face coverings when seated at a fixed area designated for eating and drinking.
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In both aforementioned instances, face coverings must be reapplied when the individual is not eating or drinking. Additionally, fans with suite tickets must follow policies regarding face coverings any time that he/she is not inside the suite that he/she is ticketed for.
If fans cannot supply their own mask, an approved disposable mask will be provided prior to entry.
Parking:
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Wake Forest University staff will communicate directly with those who will be able to attend.
Gate Entry:
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Visual cues and guidelines will be posted to assist patrons with ingress and promote social distancing.
Social Distancing:
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Fans are advised to practice social distancing by maintaining a six-foot distance between people outside of their group.
Hand Sanitizers:
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Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed strategically throughout all stadiums for use by fans and staff.
Enforcement:
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All COVID-19 policy enforcement will be maintained at the discretion of Wake Forest Athletics staff and Winston-Salem Police Department. Wake Forest University reserves the right to eject or refuse entry for any reason.
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