Fan attendance will return at the New Orleans Saints 2021 training camp practices, though with some changes amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The full schedule, which includes seven practices open to the public, was announced Monday afternoon -- with practices beginning July 30.
"Our fans have always given our players a boost as they prepare for this season and everyone in our organization is thrilled to see that return," said Saints team owner Gayle Benson in a news release. "Training camp is a unique opportunity for our fans to get an up close view of the how the coaches and players prepare and we want them to be as comfortable and safe as possible.”
Scroll below for the full practice schedule, details on how to get tickets, parking, prohibited items, COVID-19 policy adjustments and more.
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OPEN PRACTICE SCHEDULE (7 total)
- Friday, July 30 (helmets & shells): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 31 (helmets & shells): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Thursday, Aug. 5 (full pads): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Friday, Aug. 6 (full pads): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Aug. 7 (helmets & shells): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Friday, Aug. 20 (full pads): 9:30 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Aug. 21 (full pads): 9:30 a.m. to noon
Related
The Saints' preseason schedule, trimmed to three games with the addition of a 17th regular season game, will begin on Aug. 14 on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
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ARE MASKS REQUIRED?
Neither proof of vaccination nor masks are required to attend training camp, but the Saints request that any fans that are not fully vaccinated wear masks while they are in attendance.
Ochsner Health will conduct walk-up vaccinations for fans in attendance who are not fully vaccinated.
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NO AUTOGRAPHS
One notable change for anyone in attendance at the 2021 Saints training camp: No player autographs will be allowed due to the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.
This will be a significant change from such open practices held in 2019 and previously -- 2020 training camp was closed to fans -- which frequently featured players working around the outskirts of the facility at the end of practice to sign autographs and take selfies with fans in attendance.
Furthermore, anyone experiencing the following symptoms or who have been exposed to the following (and not fully vaccinated) within the previous 14 days of practice are asked not to attend: fever or chills; cough; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea
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HOW TO GET TICKETS/WHAT TO KNOW
Fans get get tickets to any of the seven open practices listed above, but seats are limited and player access is limited as the NFL continues to cope with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Season ticket holders can begin registering for tickets at NewOrleansSaints.com as of Wednesday, July 21. Fans on the waiting list for season tickets can begin registering as of Thursday, July 22. All others can begin registering as early as Friday, July 23.
Note: Tickets will be limited to a maximum of four per person, and two practices in total for each individual registrant. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gates will open 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start of each open practice.
Fans will be seated, as space allows, in bleachers along the edge of the field at the Oschner Sports Performance Center. Those seats will be covered, with mist-blowing fans directed at the bleachers. Standing room will also be available along the fence line at the facility. Fans inside the grounds are requested to follow CDC guidelines on social distancing.
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HOW/WHERE TO PARK?
Free public parking will be available in the parking lot of the NOLA Gold Rugby Stadium -- formerly the home of the New Orleans Baby Cakes. Shuttles will be provided to bring fans to the Saints' practice facility nearby.
Ticket scanning and any necessary screenings will take place in the parking areas. Fans will need to present their digital ticket via the Saints app.
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WHAT ABOUT BAD WEATHER?
In the event of extreme heat or significant inclement weather, practices will be moved indoors where no fan access is allowed. Practice times and locations can be changed with little to no warning, but changes will be detailed on the team's digital properties and social media.
If a practice is moved indoors, that day's tickets can be used for a future practice -- if any remain.
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WHAT NOT TO BRING
Fans are permitted to bring cell phones and small binoculars, but video is prohibited. Spectator cameras with lenses longer than 6 inches will not be allowed.
- Animals (excluding service animals)
- Backpacks, duffel bags, large bags & hard containers
- Bicycles
- Coolers/outside food/beverages (excluding fans with medical/dietary needs)
- Hoverboards or other self-propelled devices
- Laser pens
- Artificial noisemakers (airhorns, bullhorns, whistles, etc.)
- Objects that may obstruct the view of other fans (including large umbrellas)
- Oversized purses or handbags
- Selfie sticks & video cameras
- Bats, poles, sticks, clubs & projectiles
- Contraband, fireworks & glass
- Unauthorized marketing/soliciting/vending
- Weapons & firearms (including fireworks, knives, pepper spray & stunning devices)
- Lighters & e-cigarettes
Fans are advised to arrive early to allow time for any bag screenings and hand wanding, which will be conducted in the parking areas.
Information above via New Orleans Saints