Governor Cuomo says fans can return to New York’s arenas and stadiums starting February 23

The absence of nearly a year of fans at major sporting events in the Tristate area seems to be almost over.

In another small step towards normality, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Wednesday that as of February 23, arenas and stadiums can admit up to 10% of their capacity – with the kind of restrictions that became routine during the coronavirus pandemic, including social – distance and mask requirements.

Participants will also be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event, Cuomo said.

Details on how local teams will apply these rules, or when and to whom they will sell tickets, were scarce in the hours after Cuomo’s revelation. But the general reaction was positive. Finally, fans can watch – and teams can earn more money.

First: The Knicks and Nets, who play at home on February 23, the day the sport reopened in New York.

“It’s great for the championship,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “Safety must come first in this situation. For us, we know the importance of supporters to our organization. It `s something [that] you are hopeful that it will be reversed. That seems like a good sign. As long as it’s safe, we’re looking forward to it. “

Islanders coach Barry Trotz said: “We would love to get fans back. We miss that element in our game, no doubt. They are a big part of what we do.”

The most recent local sporting event that fans attended was the Big East quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden on March 12. Four hundred were allowed to attend St. John’s-Creighton, which was canceled at halftime.

That was 335 days ago. That count will rise to 348 on February 23.

Here’s what local teams and colleges said about Cuomo’s announcement.

NBA

Neither the Knicks nor the Nets said on Wednesday when tickets will go on sale, but they hope that season ticket holders will have priority access. The Knicks plan to allow around 2,000 fans in each game.

“We know that our fans are looking forward to coming back and we can’t wait to see them at The Garden again,” said the Knicks, Rangers and MSG in a statement.

Tuesday in Miami, the Knicks played for about 1,500 people.

“It’s not the same as a full arena, obviously, but it’s still great to have fans in the building,” said Thibodeau. “We are looking forward to the day when the arenas will be full again. It is a start and is all you can ask for.”

The Nets, which said it will donate a portion of the tickets to support vaccination efforts in Brooklyn, directed those interested in tickets to brooklynnets.com/reopening.

“Players like the experience a little more and that makes the season a little less monotonous,” said Nets coach Steve Nash. “It’s exciting to be able to have a little bit of normalcy. I think it’s great for fans, great for players and great for the organization and the community. So I think it’s a win for everyone.”

NHL

The Rangers ‘policy will be the same as the Knicks’: about 2,000 fans per game, starting on February 26 against Bruins, with season ticket holders taking priority.

The Islanders were less specific, saying in a statement that they plan to receive fans at the Nassau Coliseum “as soon as possible”. They will also grant season ticket holders the first rights to tickets “when they become available”. Their first home game under the new rules is February 25 against Bruins.

“I am thrilled that Islanders fans will be able to safely shake Barn again,” Nassau County executive Laura Curran said in a statement. “The reopening of Governor Cuomo’s arenas is a big step towards a safe return to normal in New York, and the reopening of the Coliseum means a lot to Nassau. We know that the risk of viruses is drastically reduced with precautions in place and rules being followed. we are ready to do this safely and smoothly. “

MLB

With Opening Day still seven weeks away, Mets and Yankees have time to figure out the logistics. Both teams are selling tickets – including Opening Day, April 1 at Yankee Stadium and April 8 at Citi Field – but neither said how it will handle limited capacity and refunds / credits for those who bought tickets, but did not. they will be allowed to attend.

The Mets sent a marketing e-mail late on Wednesday, encouraging fans to “be a part of the action” by buying tickets, including two April series.

Like the other professional leagues, the MLB plans to allow fans to participate on a team-by-team basis, making sure to follow local and state government regulations. If everything is fine with Cuomo, everything is fine with MLB.

Both teams considered the lifting of the Cuomo fan ban “an encouraging first step”.

“It is an encouraging first step so that we can welcome fans back to Citi Field,” said Mets in a statement. “We are looking forward to working with government officials to ensure that the return to the stadium is safe and convenient for our fans.”

And the Yankees: “We will work diligently and in tune with the governor to ensure that all precautions and procedures are followed as we move into the 2021 baseball season.”

MLS

A New York City FC spokesman said the club, which plays at home at Yankee Stadium, is looking forward to welcoming fans in 2021, but has no concrete plans yet. The MLS season is scheduled to begin on April 17th.

NCAA

Cuomo’s new rules apply to stadiums with a capacity of 10,000 or more, so St. John’s, Hofstra and Stony Brook basketball will not be affected.

Stony Brook (football, lacrosse) and Hofstra (lacrosse) appear to be eligible to allow fans. Stony Brook said in a statement that he will await “further guidance and interpretations on [the rules’] applicability to campus locations. “Hofstra said in a statement that he” will carefully study politics “and what it means for athletics.

“We are grateful to the governor,” said Hofstra, “and we share his commitment to reopen New York State’s sports and cultural facilities.”

With Steve Popper, Greg Logan, Erik Boland, Laura Albanese, Ryan Gerbosi and Jordan Lauterbach