In cooperation with Alameda County and Major League Baseball, the A’s have received approval to welcome fans back to the Oakland Coliseum on April 1, the team announced Friday. The state of California will reduce restrictions on all outdoor venues that day.
The timing is appropriate, as April 1 is the A’s home opener against the Astros. A’s FlexTix, updated and flexible single-game ticket vouchers, are on sale now for all regular season home games.
“We are excited to safely welcome fans back to our ballpark for the upcoming season,” A’s president Dave Kaval said. “We thank Governor [Gavin] Newsom for his leadership and guidance during this process, and Alameda County for partnering with us to develop a comprehensive plan that complies with local health directives and provides a safe experience for our fans, employees, players, and vendors.”
Per the state and local guidelines, the A’s will allow 20-percent capacity (or 11,020) when Alameda County is in the red tier for COVID-19 cases, 33 percent in the orange tier and 67 percent in the yellow tier. A number of health and safety protocols will be in place, including:
• Physically-distanced seating: Guests will be seated in pods of two or four seats. Pod seating may be adapted in orange and yellow tiers.
• Face coverings required: Mandatory face coverings will be required for all fans, unless eating or drinking in the seats.
• Tickets sales will be restricted to California residents only.
• Mobile-only ticketing: All game tickets will be delivered via the MLB Ballpark app, ensuring a touchless entry into the ballpark. Walk-up tickets will not be available.
• Cashless transactions: All purchases in the ballpark will be contactless and cashless. Debit cards will be available for purchase using cash at a limited number of locations inside the stadium.
• Mobile concessions: No concourse concessions will be available to begin the season. Fans can order limited concession offerings on their mobile devices to be delivered directly to their seats.
• All social spaces, including the Treehouse, Stomping Ground, Shibe Park, and Championship Plaza, will be closed.
• Tailgating will not be allowed. Parking will be $30 and cash will not be accepted.
• Parking gates will open 90 minutes before first pitch; ballpark gates will open one hour before first pitch.
• Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer dispensers will be widely available.
• Staff health screenings: All full-time employees and event staff will be subject to health screenings before entering the ballpark.
A’s outfielder Mark Canha said players have been eagerly anticipating the return of fans.
“It was eerie last year at times playing with nobody there,” Canha said. “For me, I always liked the fans and the noise and the atmosphere, because I feel like I can handle that well in the box and if we get a young pitcher on the mound for the other team, I want them to feel that pressure. I felt like [having no fans] gave pitchers an advantage, because they’re just going out and throwing with no pressure. I kind of thrive on that, where as other guys might get shaken up or rattled. That’s what I want.”