Louisville plots course for 30 percent capacity at home football games in 2020
The University of Louisville plans to admit about 18,000 fans per game this college football season, which represents about 30 percent of Cardinal Stadium’s 60,800 capacity.
School officials said Monday that season ticket holders were being contacted with information about how to attend U of L’s six home games this fall.
Under the Atlantic Coast Conference’s COVID-19 protocols, Louisville’s schedule was reduced from 12 to 11 games this season, with 10 of those contests against league opponents. U of L’s only non-conference game is the season opener, Sept. 12 against Western Kentucky.
The Cardinals’ other five home games are against Miami (Sept. 19), Florida State (Oct. 24), Virginia Tech (Oct. 31), Syracuse (Nov. 20) and Wake Forest (Dec. 5).
U of L said its leadership is working in collaboration with Gov. Andy Beshear’s office to craft a safe, flexible ticketing and operation plan for fans. The 30 percent capacity figure was arrived at to assure appropriate social distancing for spectators. That number is subject to change depending on the coronavirus landscape as the opening game approaches.
With its season opener only 19 days away, Louisville needed enough of a plan in place to at least move forward with ticketing, but change is always possible amid the coronavirus, as evidenced by last week’s move by Churchill Downs. The Louisville racetrack previously announced plans to host 23,000 for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5, then changed course Friday by saying spectators will no longer be allowed.
U of L’s COVID-19 safety plan requires temperature checks at stadium entrances, face coverings for all spectators and physical distancing inside the stadium as well as outside during tailgating. All ticketing will be digital.
The school is also taking steps to increase physical distancing for fans as they enter the stadium by altering some of its gates. Louisville also promises improved cellular service for fans.
Season ticket holders were to receive information about purchasing options via email.
Season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to select their seat location from physically distanced sets of seats in priority point order. Priority points are awarded each year for season ticket holder longevity and donations to the Cardinal Athletic Fund.
U of L officials said hosting football games at reduced capacity would lead to a $10 million deficit for the athletics department this school year. The school began taking steps months ago, such as salary reductions, layoffs and furloughs, to reduce expenses.
While Louisville is moving forward with safety and ticket protocols for home games, the University of Kentucky has not yet revealed its plans. The Wildcats, along with the rest of the Southeastern Conference, do not open their season until two weeks after U of L, on Sept. 26. Nine SEC schools have revealed stadium ticketing plans, with most in the 25 percent range.
2020 Louisville football schedule
(Home games in all capital letters; Kickoff times and TV to be announced later)
Sept. 12: WESTERN KENTUCKY
Sept. 19: MIAMI (FLA.)
Sept. 26: At Pittsburgh
Oct. 9: At Georgia Tech
Oct. 17: At Notre Dame
Oct. 24: FLORIDA STATE
Oct. 31: VIRGINIA TECH
Nov. 7: At Virginia
Nov. 21: SYRACUSE
Nov. 27: At Boston College
Dec. 5: WAKE FOREST
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 3:13 PM.