Historians will note Monday marks the 175th anniversary of California’s independence. Bay Area sports fans, though, can be excused for focusing on Tuesday, when they’ll celebrate their own small form of freedom.
California’s official lifting of COVID-era restrictions will more quickly allow normalcy to return and masks to fade away at ballparks, stadiums and arenas across the Bay Area and the state. After 15 long months of isolating at games or living vicariously through cardboard cutouts, social distancing will again give way to socially awkward high-fives and hugs between strangers cheering on their favorite team.
The hope is that, in time, Tuesday’s announcement becomes just an interesting footnote in state history, much like the Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma, when a small, ragtag band of revolutionists fought to briefly make California its own country on June 14, 1846. The new nation lasted 25 days, when still-free Californians were absorbed into United States territory.
Independence from COVID protocols for Bay Area fans may come in different stages. While the A’s and Giants will make masks optional at their stadiums as of Tuesday, the Bay Area’s other pro teams are mostly in wait-and-see mode.
What’s clear is it won’t be long before cynical fans around these parts can stop worrying about protocols and turn their attention to the important questions, like when will Matt Chapman and Mike Yastrzemski break out of their slumps? Will the Quakes ever score another goal? And, why did the beer batter at the San Jose Giants game pick this night to start hitting the ball?
Here’s a quick look at some of the changes Bay Area pro sports teams anticipate making as we await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press conference on Tuesday:
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Since the A’s will be embarking on a road trip around June 15, they will open up the Coliseum at full capacity on June 29 for a series against the Texas Rangers.
While pod seating will be gone and masks are optional while seated, many safety measures will still be in place. Cashless transactions, mobile-only ticketing, and mobile ordering for concessions will stay in place.
The A’s also strongly encourage (but don’t require) a full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending. Full capacity also means fan gathering areas previously shut down — the Treehouse, Shibe Park, Championship Plaza, A’s Stomping Ground and Tavern Bar — will be open to fans again and tailgating will be allowed.
Fans outside of California will also now be allowed to purchase tickets.
— Shayna Rubin
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Giants have operated Oracle Park at 50% capacity since the beginning of May and will continue to do so until June 25, when they will return to full capacity for the remainder of the season.
On June 15, face coverings will no longer be required at Oracle Park, but the Giants are strongly encouraging all fans to wear them, especially when fans are in indoor areas or if they are not fully vaccinated.
The Giants are no longer requiring fans to show proof they are fully vaccinated or have recently tested negative for COVID-19 to gain entry to Oracle Park, but proof of vaccination will still be required to sit in a “vaccinated-only” section at the park until June 25. At that point, all operations will return to normal, but the Giants say they will continue selling a limited number of tickets for a socially distanced section of the ballpark.
Fans wishing to purchase food and beverages will continue to be able to do so at concession stands or through the MLB Ballpark app. There’s still no definitive word on when they’ll reopen certain concessions on a full-time basis.
— Kerry Crowley
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The relaxed COVID rules are coming at a perfect time for the Quakes, whose next home game will be June 26 in the California Clasico against their adversaries from L.A., the Galaxy. After operating at reduced capacity at 18,000-seat PayPal Park since the season began in April, there will be no restrictions on attendance the rest of the season.
No more spaced-out seating pods, and a closer seating arrangement, may create an even more boisterous Quakes crowd, which might spur on a San Jose team that’s scored just once in its last four games. They may need to yell a bit louder considering masks are likely to still be required as part of the recent guidelines set by the state’s health department for large outdoor events.
The Quakes said they will follow current state health guidance and won’t be requiring fans to show proof of vaccination.
PayPal Park’s concession stands, including food trucks, will be fully operational through the end of the season in November.
— Jon Becker
SAN JOSE GIANTS
The Little Giants’ next home game won’t be until June 22, but when they re-open the gates at Excite Park, the stadium will operate at its full 4,200-seat capacity for the duration of the season. The rest of the Giants’ full re-opening plans must wait until they receive direction from Santa Clara County Health Department officials after the governor’s June 15 announcement.
Should Santa Clara County health officials break from the state’s stance on mask-wearing and social distancing at outdoor events under 10,000 attendees, masks may still be required even for fully vaccinated people. However, a mask requirement may eliminate the need for proof of vaccination.
What we do know is the Giants will eliminate the pod seating that’s been in place during their first 18 home games. Also, Premium Group areas at the stadium will be sold at full capacity rather than this year’s previous maximum of 15 people per group.
And fans will have additional food and beverage options such as a pizza stand, taco and burrito bowls and an expanded menu at Turkey Mike’s BBQ. Other anticipated changes include the elimination of a no-bag policy to permit fans to bring in clear bags, and the allowance of sealed water bottles.
— Jon Becker
SAN JOSE SHARKS
When the Sharks are back in action in October, they expect the state’s forecasted indoor guidelines will allow them to host next season’s games at SAP Center without any restrictions on attendance, or food and beverages.
As of now, those protocols mean fans purchasing tickets will be required to self-attest that they’re either fully vaccinated or will test negative within 72 hours of the game they’ll be attending.
Mask policy for fans at SAP Center will become clearer once the Sharks season draws nearer.
These orders are currently in effect for all events at SAP Center through August, but the Sharks said they’ll adjust accordingly once they receive updates from the state, county and the National Hockey League between now and then.
In short, Gov. Newsom’s announcement about the state’s June 15 opening — and guidance from Santa Clara County health officials — will dictate policy for the Sharks this fall.
— Jon Becker
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers announced last month that they plan to have Levi’s Stadium at full capacity for games this fall.
The 49ers have not unveiled any requirements for fans, but a team spokesperson said via email that the 49ers will relay any COVID protocols or requirements pertinent to attendees prior to the start of the season. Current state guidance recommends that large outdoor venues with crowds greater than 10,000 require proof of vaccination, a negative COVID test or face masking — but it is not a requirement.
This will be the Niners’ first foray into gameday crowd planning in the COVID age after they went without fans last season under the guidance of Santa Clara County health officials. Of course, the same health department ruled in November that organized sports represented too strong a possibility of COVID spread, so the 49ers relocated to Arizona for their final month of practices and three home games.
Our own Cam Inman reported in May that fans will be allowed at training camp next month in Santa Clara, but it’s not clear yet what the attendance limit may be or what restrictions fans might face.
— Michael Nowels
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
After spending much of the season playing in an empty Chase Center, the Warriors hosted fans for their final 10 home games this spring, culminating with about 7,500 attendees at the play-in game against the Grizzlies. If all goes according to plan, they’ll have more than twice that many this fall when the 2021-22 season tips off.
“The hope is to be at 100% capacity by the time next season starts,” senior vice president of communications Raymond Ridder said in a phone interview.
The Warriors required a recent negative test or vaccine verification for attendees last season, but Ridder said it is too early to tell if either of those requirements or face masking rules would be in effect when next season begins in October.
The team and Chase Center will have to work with San Francisco officials to determine appropriate COVID safety precautions for the coming season.
— Michael Nowels
Reporter Wes Goldberg contributed to this story.
