The Colorado Rapids announced today that a limited number of fans will be able to attend upcoming games at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, starting with the club’s home match against LAFC on Wednesday, October 7. The announcement comes after the Rapids’ plan to reopen DICK’s Sporting Goods Park was approved last week by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).
“The health and safety of our supporters has been our main priority since we first began working with local health authorities and government officials to explore the possibility of hosting fans again,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “We’re excited to be able to welcome them back to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park and count on their support as our team enters a crucial run of games in search of a playoff spot.”
Rapids Season Ticket Members will receive first access to purchase the limited number of tickets available for each game starting on Friday, September 25. Any remaining tickets will then be made available to the general public on Friday, October 2. Fans can sign up for the single-game priority list to receive first access to any tickets that are made available to the general public.
Upcoming Rapids Home Matches Open to Fans
- Wednesday, October 7, at 7:00 PM MT — LAFC
- Saturday, October 10, at 5:00 PM MT — LA Galaxy
- Sunday, October 18, at 7:00 PM MT — Real Salt Lake
- Sunday, November 1, at 7:00 PM MT — Seattle Sounders FC
In consultation with the state of Colorado, the CDPHE, and in accordance with strict MLS guidelines, the Rapids have developed protocols and safety guidelines to ensure fan, staff and player safety and well-being while attending Rapids games at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
Stadium Safety Measures & Protocols
Rapids games open to the public will be held at approximately 6% of stadium capacity (1,165 ticketed fans) in accordance with safety protocols developed in conjunction with the CDPHE. The stadium seating plan will adhere to strict social distancing guidelines, along with a number of other new safety measures, including but not limited to:
- Face coverings must be worn at all times while in the venue when not eating or drinking
- Enhanced venue sanitation protocols in accordance with CDC cleaning & disinfecting guidelines, including increased disinfectant wipe down cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the inside and outside of the venue
- Podium-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at each gate entrance, at the top of each seating section aisle way and throughout the concourse to service those in attendance
- No congregating will be permitted
- No tailgating will be permitted
- 100% digital ticketing via mobile device to decrease touch-point interactions with stadium event staff during ticket purchase and venue entry
- 100% cashless stadium environment
- Specific gate entry based on seating location
- Closure of all concourse restaurant and lounge spaces where guests may inadvertently congregate and interact as larger groups.
- Extensive communication of updated health protocols and best practices via stadium and parking lot signage, in-game PA reads, jumbotron & LED visuals and social media blasts
In order to protect the health and safety of guests attending Rapids games, individuals who fail to abide by any of the event guidelines will be immediately asked to leave the venue.
Additional information on the club’s stadium safety protocols may be found at https://coloradorapids.com/safety.
Ticketing & Seating Blocks
To adhere to CDC social distancing requirements, all tickets will be sold in “blocks” of two, four or six seats. These seats will be sold together side-by-side with the expectation that fans will be attending games in these “blocks” with family members they have been sheltering with and/or with trusted acquaintances (cohort groups).
Venue Concessions & Restrooms
All ticketed guests will have access to individualized concession stand locations inside their individual Concourse Zone, which is based upon their seating “block” location. Concession stand lines will have a pre-determined maximum length and will include six-foot distance markers designating proper social distancing standards for guests waiting inside the queue lines. To limit line queuing, guests will be encouraged to avoid waiting until halftime to make purchases.
All seating section “blocks” will have at minimum six feet of social distance between the next “block” in all directions. DICK’S Sporting Goods Park will take all measures available within CDPHE guidelines to ensure that fans making their way through seating section aisle ways do not linger and follow all social distancing and face mask protocols.
More information on the stadium’s seating protocols may be found at https://coloradorapids.com/safety.
Digital Ticketing, Purchasing & Transfer Conditions
All venue ticketing will be completely digital via mobile devices in order to minimize touch-point interactions with stadium event staff during ticket purchase and venue entry. Digital ticketing will include the following based on the purchaser’s seating “block”:
- Assigned gate entrance
- Assigned parking lot location
- Recommended gate entrance timing to disperse ingress traffic and decrease potential line queuing
In order to complete their ticket purchase, fans must acknowledge assumption of risk/liability and confirm that they will only attend the match if they are healthy and not exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19.
Fans are asked not to travel to DICK’S Sporting Goods Park if at any time prior to matchday or accessing the Gate Entrance area they begin to experience any symptoms associated with COVID-19. A full ticket refund will be offered for any purchasers who request a refund for reasons due to experiencing symptoms or illness.
If looking to transfer their tickets, ticket holders will be asked to acknowledge that they will not do so in any way that compromises “block integrity.” Recipients of ticket transfers must also acknowledge assumption of risk/liability and confirm that they will only attend the match if they are healthy and not exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19.
More information on the club’s ticketing policies may be found at https://www.coloradorapids.com/ReturntoDSGP.
Gate Entry Process
All ticketed guests will enter via an entrance gate corresponding with their seating “block” location. The gate entrance screening process will include a low-touch bag check, touch-less electronic/mobile ticket scanning and a touch-less walk-through magnetometer scan. The recommended six-foot social distancing guidelines will be enforced throughout the gate screening process using event staff, new COVID-19 signage, new floor signage and public address announcements. Entrance queue lines will be spaced seven-to-10 feet apart from each other at each gate entrance location, will be clearly visible using a standard entrance crowd barricade and will include individually marked queue line markings at 6-foot intervals.
Venue Concessions & Restrooms
All ticketed guests will have access to individualized concession stand locations inside their individual Concourse Zone, which is based upon their seating “block” location. Concession stand lines will have a pre-determined maximum length and will include six-foot distance markers designating proper social distancing standards for guests waiting inside the queue lines. To limit line queuing, guests will be encouraged to avoid waiting until halftime to make purchases.
Guests will also have access to multiple restroom facility locations inside their individual Concourse Zone. Restrooms have been modified to abide by social distancing guidelines, including the installation of touch-less sinks, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers, as well as eliminating the use of adjacent sink and urinal units that do not adhere to the six feet of social distancing guidelines.
More information on the club’s ticketing policies may be found at https://www.coloradorapids.com/ReturntoDSGP.
