The Flyers and Sixers could have fans at Wells Fargo Center soon as the state loosens COVID-19 restrictions
If the city of Philadelphia agrees with the state, about 3,000 people will soon be allowed in the Wells Fargo Center for Flyers and 76ers games.
It appears the Flyers and Sixers could soon have fans at the Wells Fargo Center for the first time in almost a year.
The Flyers are hoping to be permitted to have about 3,000 people in the building for their home game Sunday night against Washington. The Sixers’ next home game is against Utah on Wednesday, which is followed by the All-Star break.
Pennsylvania loosened its restrictions Monday morning, saying 15% of arenas’ capacity will be allowed in indoor events, including team and staff members. The city of Philadelphia must approve of that number before fans are permitted in Flyers and 76ers games.
Wells Fargo Center and city officials talked later in the day, and James Garrow, a health department spokesperson, said there was no set date yet for when Philadelphia would loosen restrictions to match the state.
Garrow said officials were “working to come into alignment with the state’s guidance“ and there was a “need to make sure it’s done legally.”
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins will allow fans to attend their home game against the Flyers on Tuesday. There will be a maximum of 2,800 allowed in the building.
When word got around last week that a limited number of fans would soon return, Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said it would be “huge” because of the “energy they bring” to games.
“Obviously, that’s probably one of the best parts about playing in the NHL, the fans,” winger Joel Farabee said.
Mask wearing, social distancing of at least six feet, and hand hygiene will be enforced.
“We’re ready to safely welcome fans back to Broad Street, and as soon as the city further eases its restrictions, we will have Flyers and 76ers fans in the building within days,” said Valerie Camillo, president of business operations for the Flyers and Wells Fargo Center, in a statement.
She said Wells Fargo officials were speaking with city leaders in “our continuing effort to make that happen as soon as possible.”
“We are thrilled by Governor [Tom] Wolf’s decision to increase capacity at sporting events. For 12 long months, we have been preparing for the opportunity to welcome home the greatest fans in the world to the Center,” said Chris Heck, the 76ers’ president of business operations.
In his statement, Heck called Wolf’s announcement “an important step forward. It leaves us hopeful that we will be able to hear the unmistakable, passionate roar of a 76ers crowd again very soon.”
The Wells Fargo Center, the Flyers and the Sixers will set the exact numbers for how many fans can return to hockey and basketball games, according to a source familiar with the situation. The arena is set up differently for the two sports, so the number of available seats for Flyers and Sixers games may vary slightly.
“Hooray. Yay, I’m happy,” Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. “We want to see our fans here. Listen, we have proven here in Philadelphia that it is a home court. Our fans are phenomenal. We need them here. It would be awesome in the second half of the season if we could have fans. I think it would really boost us.”
More than 20 NHL and NBA arenas have welcomed fans back with limited capacities, and there have been no reports of major COVID-19 outbreaks in those cities, according to a source close to the situation.
The Wells Fargo Center recently underwent an $11 million improvement of its HVAC system, which can replace all the air in the seating bowl every 30 minutes.
Last season, the Flyers (25-6-4) and Sixers (29-2) had the best home records in their leagues. The Flyers last played at the Wells Fargo Center on March 10, a 2-0 loss to Boston that snapped an overall nine-game winning streak.
The season was then stopped because of the pandemic.
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