Louisville planning for 18,000 fans per game at Cardinal Stadium

If all goes according to plan, the University of Louisville will allow 18,000 fans to be in the stands at home football games this season.

UofL just announced it is working with Governor Andy Beshear’s office on a plan for 30% capacity at Cardinal Stadium this fall. Fans will be required to wear masks and tailgating will be allowed in parking lots, albeit with physical distancing measures in place. As with everything these days, UofL notes that “the plan is subject to change with the fluidity of the landscape.”

From UofL’s release:

Multiple safety measures will be in place, including temperature checks at the entrances, face coverings requirements, physical distancing within the stadium as well as parking lots for tailgating, and restrictions in some stadium areas among the plans.  All ticketing for the season will be digital. A list of stadium safety measures specific to the 2020 season are listed within this link.

Stadium improvements were planned to ease entry prior to the pandemic, but as a result will now offer increased physical distancing at gates.  For instance, the former ticket office and store at Gate 2 have been/will be removed to accommodate 16 openings and 32 entrances to the stadium at that one location.  Additional staffing at entrances for temperature and bag checks, as well as for scanning tickets, will improve the fan entrance experience this season.

Once in the stadium, an enhanced distributed antenna system and an additional carrier to the network will improve cellular service for fans.  Work continues on refurbishing the lower bowl seating with an industrial UV protective coating to renew the bright red color to the seats, with the east side seats and about half of the south end zone completed.

The Cardinals are scheduled to kick off the season on September 12 against Western Kentucky, hence the need to get a plan out so soon. Kentucky’s home opener is October 3 vs. Ole Miss. UK has yet to release any details on attendance at games this year.