Mayor Lucas says Chiefs’ decision to allow fans was vetted. But he won’t be attending
The Chiefs’ decision to allow fans — at a reduced capacity — inside Arrowhead Stadium this season followed ongoing conversations between several entities and an extensive evaluation process, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said Tuesday.
But when some 17,000 people occupy the venue for home games, Lucas doesn’t anticipate he will be among them.
“People have asked do I have some concern. I absolutely do,” Lucas said. “I’m a pretty big Chiefs fan, but I don’t think I’ll be going out to the stadium.”
The Chiefs announced Monday they will host fans at a reduced capacity of 22% for their initial three home games. Those attending — approximately 16,700 will be able to go at the reduced rate — will be required to wear masks. The Chiefs open the season against the Houston Texans Sept. 10.
They will also drop their championship banner that night.
The decision to allow a percentage of fans to those first three home games engaged guidelines from NFL experts, as well as from the City of Kansas City health director Dr. Rex Archer and City of Kansas City EMS medical director Dr. Erica Carney.
Archer acknowledged Monday the plan is not “100% foolproof from the disease spreading,” and said people at high risk should “probably not” be attending games.
Season-ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase Chiefs tickets in “pods” of six that will be staggered throughout the stadium. The Chiefs announced other measures intended to eliminate crowding at points of entry, limit the number of people partaking in each tailgate gathering in the parking lot and minimize contact at points of sales by going completely cashless for purchases.
“This is something that has been vetted through a number of different health divisions. There were recommendations that came to my office as well,” Lucas said. “A few things that are different perhaps about a Chiefs game versus a night out at a restaurant inside — one, of course, is that you are actually outside; the other is that in many ways the game experience will be dramatically different than what you may remember.
“If you’ve been to a Chiefs game or any type of event, you’re used to being crowded with people; you’re used to going into the same entrance; you’re used to, perhaps, using restrooms at the same time, restaurants, etc. Every part of the process will be different. So in many ways, as I’m seeing it, this is not actually a regular Arrowhead Stadium experience, and I think the Chiefs would say that, too.”
NFL teams have been far from uniform in their approach to allowing fans in the stands for upcoming games.
The Dallas Cowboys have stated their intention to allow fans, though they have yet to reveal how many will be permitted.
The Green Bay Packers will not host fans in their first two games, after which they will re-evaluate. The New England Patriots are banning fans through at least September. The Chicago Bears will play in front of an empty stadium, as well.
The Chiefs’ blueprint of reduced capacity applies only to their home games on Sept. 10 against Houston, Oct. 4 against New England and Oct. 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“What makes Kansas City different from other teams? I can’t speak for other cities,” Lucas said. “... But at the same time, this is at least something that has been rather vetted. People have asked do I have some concern. I absolutely do. I’m a pretty big Chiefs fan, but I don’t think I’ll be going out to the stadium.
“What I do know, however, is that everybody there is working their hardest to make sure that people stay safe. The Kansas City Chiefs do not want to see an outbreak tied to their stadium. I think as we go through this process, they will take every safeguard possible to make sure folks are safe.
“We shouldn’t miss the fact that the Chiefs are requiring masks as you enter into the stadium, and it makes a world of difference. I think the Chiefs’ announcement speaks to the reality of the present of what we’re expecting, at least in September and October, but everything can change.”