Ft. Myers Pro Teams Hopeful Capacity Stadiums will Return Soon

Since the beginning of the pandemic, stadiums have not looked like their usual packed selves. With more vaccinations taking place every day, seeing stadiums come back to life with capacity crowds could be closer than you think.

It is tough to beat the roar of a crowd after a goal at an Everblades game or the collective ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhhs’ that follow a home run at CenturyLink.

“We talk about it weekly. You know in this pandemic everything is changing,” Florida Everblades Executive VP of Business Development Chris Palin said.

The Texas Rangers set the stage with a capacity opening day crowd for their MLB season in early April.

“One of the things we have learned through all of this is that you have to be adjustable, you have to be flexible,” Palin said.

The Florida Everblades plan to maintain their status quo of a limited crowd through the regular season but could adjust that policy come playoff time.

”If demand is there and people are comfortable then we may increase capacity. You know, if we go to the finals I am sure that more than 4000 people will want to be here so we may look at it at that point,” Palin said.

The rebranded Mighty Mussels will begin the season at 28 % capacity with the hope to fill the stadium sometime during the 2021 season.

“I think that could be realistic. I do think that is a realistic hope,” Fort Myers Mighty Mussels President Chris Peters said.

Both teams ultimately deferring to the experts to ensure that when fans get back inside the arena or park that they can do so safely and comfortably.

“Just be safe, get out there and do your part. I mean that is what this is about. Everybody doing their part,” Palin said

The two teams also said they have not yet talked about requiring fans to show proof of vaccination to attend a game.

The post Ft. Myers Pro Teams Hopeful Capacity Stadiums will Return Soon appeared first on NBC2 News.

NBC2 (WBBH-TV)