The Pittsburgh Penguins received approval today from Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Department of Health to reopen the PPG Paints Arena for fans with 15% capacity (2,800).
The Penguins would like to thank season ticket holders for their loyalty to the team during the pandemic. The Penguins will make tickets available for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers with priority only for season ticket holders.
The Penguins have 20 games left at home this season, including 12 games in March.
“It’s a great day for hockey, in fact, and we are very excited about our fans,” said David Morehouse, president and CEO of Penguins. “We are grateful to Governor Wolf, Secretary of Health Alison Beam and his team for their continued communication and support. We are also grateful for the help and guidance we received from our UPMC partners for helping us prepare a detailed plan for a safe recovery – Opening, as well as county executive Rich Fitzgerald and the mayor of Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto. We are focused on providing our fans with the safest and most efficient experience possible within the PPG Paints Arena – where they belong. “
The governor’s decision to open the arena and the continued distribution of vaccines is a sign that Pittsburgh and the state are moving in the right direction in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penguins and its arena management operator, ASM Global, have made several improvements for security and efficiency, including mobile ticketing, mobile ordering and non-touch auto-checkout scanners for food, drinks and goods.
Ticket holders for the Penguin season will have priority in purchasing tickets for the next games with exclusive access to a pre-sale. Detailed information will be sent directly to season ticket holders. The remaining tickets will be made available to the general public for purchase.
Seats will be limited to groups of two and four to allow social distance within capacity constraints. Fans will receive suggested arrival times and doors to enter based on the location of their seats.
Fans are reminded of several new policies for Penguins games at the PPG Paints Arena.
- Mobile ticket … A mobile ticket will need to be displayed on a smartphone to enter the arena.
- Promise of verbal health … All guests will answer several questions upon arrival.
- Mandatory face masks … All guests over two (2) years of age must wear a face mask at all times within the arena.
- All scholarships are prohibited … This includes clear bags, bags and camera bags. Exceptions can be made for medical bags, diaper bags and bracelets or wallets (no larger than 8 “x 5” x 1 “) after inspection.
- Cashless transactions … Credit and debit cards, as well as Apple / Google Pay, are accepted.
PPG Paints Arena has implemented new safety measures, including drone disinfection technology in the arena bowl, freestanding ultraviolet floor washers, taps and flush valves in all bathrooms and more than 200 hand sanitizer stations. The arena also meets or exceeds all HVAC guidelines set by the NHL and NHLPA in their Return to Game protocols.
Penguin fans can find more information on how to return to the PPG Paints Arena, on here, on the Know Before You Go page on the Penguins website.
Tuesday’s game will mark the first time the Penguins have received fans since the March 8 game against Carolina.