Jordan-Hare Stadium, as well as the surrounding area, will not be so frenzied on Saturday this fall.
A day after the SEC set its COVID-19 safety guidelines for gamedays this fall, Auburn this season unveiled its plans for Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers expect to have 20 percent capacity for home games this season, the school announced Wednesday morning. Jordan-Hare Stadium traditionally has a capacity of 87,451, meaning no more than 17,490 fans will attend Auburn’s five scheduled home games this season.
In accordance with SEC guidelines issued Tuesday, Auburn will require all fans in attendance and gameday workers to wear face masks. Auburn also announced that, in accordance with CDC, state and local guidelines, no tailgating will be allowed on campus this fall.
For the season opener of Auburn against Kentucky on Sept. 26, the university plans to allocate all general seating – those outside premium seats and tickets designated for home and visiting team coaches and guests – to Auburn students. The overall seating arrangement for Auburn’s other four home games against Arkansas, LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M will be announced at a later date.
“We look forward to Auburn students attending our season opener and appreciating everyone’s flexibility and understanding of the times as we adapt to this temporary reality of reduced capacity at Jordan-Hare Stadium,” said Auburn athletics director Allen Greene . “All present will share a responsibility for health and safety. A diligent commitment to face covering, physical distance and personal hygiene will lead to the best result. ”
Although Auburn’s plan is to have 20 percent capacity for home games this season, that number may be subject to change “if additional information related to COVID-19 becomes available.” With significantly reduced capacity this season and limited tickets available, Auburn season ticket holders have the option to choose their cards for this fall, with three options presented to them: a full refund, credit purchased for the next season or the option to make a donation via Tigers Unlimited to support the Auburn athletes.
Greene, in an open letter to fans on Wednesday, asked season ticket holders to consider the donation option if they choose to take it down, as he expects the athletics department to suffer a budget shortfall of “tens of millions of dollars” because of it reduced stadium capacity this season.
Ticket holders who receive their season tickets through Tigers Unlimited will receive additional information from Auburn’s athletics department, although TUF members have the opportunity to express their interest in attending future home games this season when tickets become available. According to Auburn, tickets available after the Sept. 26 opening against Kentucky will be issued on a one-to-one basis, with distribution based on Tigers Unlimited priority and demand.
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.
