The Nationals will officially play in front of fans on Opening Day.
The team announced Monday night that 5,000 spectators would be allowed into Nationals Park for Washington's April 1 season opener against the Mets.
"We are happy to welcome a limited number of the best fans in baseball back home to Nationals Park on Opening Day," Nationals owner Mark D. Lerner said. "Our organization has worked tirelessly with the District of Columbia, nationally-renowned health experts, including Crown & Company, whose principals have guided FIFA and he IOC, and also Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, as well as Major League Baseball, to craft protocols to the safety and well-being of our players, coaches, employees and our fans as we reopen the ballpark to the public."
The Nats announced they will "prioritize bringing our Season Plan Holders back to the ballpark first while our seating capacity remains extremely limited."
Opening Day will mark the first time that Nationals fans have seen their team live in action at Nationals Park since the team’s 7-1 loss in Game 5 of the 2019 World Series. Of course, Washington battled back from that 3-2 series deficit to win the Fall Classic over the Astros, but weren’t able to celebrate in front of fans at the start of the 2020 season.
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The stadium will have social distancing and safety protocols in place, including face coverings being required at all times. Tickets will be sold in pods of up to six people, and tickets will include assigned gate entrances and exits. No cash will be accepted for food, drink or team store purchases, and hundreds of hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the ballpark.
Washington was one of the final MLB teams awaiting approval, and hopes its capacity will be able to increase as the season moves along.
"We look forward to increasing our capacity in the coming weeks," Lerner said. "We cannot wait to have our fans in the stands again, wearing red and cheering on the Nats, as we begin our quest for another World Championship."
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