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The Indianapolis Colts will be permitted to have up to 7,500 fans at their second home game at Lucas Oil Stadium this season, a team official said Wednesday.
The Marion County Public Health Department has increased the team’s maximum capacity from 2,500—in place for their home opener Sunday against the Vikings—after about two weeks of negotiations.
Pete Ward, chief operating officer for the Colts, confirmed the 200% increase for the Sept. 27 game against the New York Jets in a text message to IBJ on Thursday afternoon.
Anticipated capacity limits for the teams games have fluctuated throughout the summer because of the coronavirus pandemic. The team had initially eyed having up to 25% capacity to start the season, but later modified that down to about 15%, or about 10,050 spectators.
The health department on Sept. 4 approved a plan for 2,500 fans for the Colts’ first game, and on Wednesday announced a reduction to seating capacity for remaining Indy Eleven home games—also played at the 67,000-seat stadium—to resolve a disparity between crowd limits for both teams.
The department said both teams would have an opportunity to increase capacity this season as COVID-19 data allows.
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So I’m assuming that the Indy Eleven can now have 7500 at their games still?
Lol. Yesterday, “the COVID number trends” caused the Indy Eleven to decrease capacity. Apparently, less than one day later, the COVID number trends allow the Colts to increase seating capacity. A few weeks ago, the Big Ten was adamant about not playing a season. Somehow, something magically changed in a short timeframe for them to do a 180. Government officials/decision-makers keep flip flopping. Money talks.
Ego, ego, ego. . . The MCHD let’s anything go without a pandemic, and is clueless on real health concerns
“The department said both teams would have an opportunity to increase capacity this season as COVID-19 data allows.” IBJ, would you please follow up and ask what data changed for the health department’s switch from 2500 yesterday to today’s decision to allow 7500? The next Indy 11 game is on 9/23. What is the precise data the Health Department is relying on that changes capacity 3-fold in 4 days’ time at the same location (e.g. Colts on 9/27)? (Mind you, I think 7500+ makes sense.) I just want someone to ask the Health Department to show their work. (Otherwise, the public might come to believe the Health Department is just making things up as time goes on. Heaven forbid.)
Obviously football fans have less chance of spreading or getting COVID than futbol fans, eh? Seriously, though: if they’re following all the measures they are … open it up, let all 5,000 Indy 11 fans in as well as the Colts fans. I’m guessing with the NFL’s politicizing everything this year … they may have a hard time selling 7,500 tix anyway.
Would love to see the data they are using on the “covid-19 trends” to determine these numbers. They are pulling all of this out of their a**, making it all up as they go along.
And I’m still wondering why the Indy 500 had to go on with no fans now that the Colts get fans and other venues do also? Seems so unfair. And also wondering why everyone can’t be allowed to make these decisions on their own? You know, assume personal responsibility for the risk and be allowed to go and enjoy the event? Like we did before all of this mess? Anyone who feels unsure of their safety can stay home, but don’t drag the rest of us down with you.
Well, we all know that personal responsibility does NOT work. Nice thought, but NOPE, sure can’t count on that happening.
What an ongoing joke.