North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper eased some COVID-19 restrictions throughout the state on Wendesday. These changes will go into effect on Friday, Feb. 26.
This will include changes for upcoming sporting events, too. Part of Cooper’s decision will allow up to 15 percent capacity for indoor sporting events. There’s an important stipulation here, though. This 15 percent number is set for “large arenas” that seat at least 5,000 people.
BREAKING: Governor Roy Cooper is issuing a new executive order allowing bars to reopen indoor service at 30% capacity. Alcohol can now be sold for onsite consumption until 11 pm. HS and college sport events can 30 percent capacity. Goes into effect Friday. No more curfew @wsoctv
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) February 24, 2021
Smaller arenas for high school and college sports have a capacity limit of 30 percent and are hard capped at 250 people, total.
NC State Athletics released a statement: nothing is final as they continue to evaluate the best path forward. For NC State men’s basketball games, PNC Arena seats 19,772 fans; this would mean that a little over 2,900 fans could be allowed into games, at the 15 percent line.
Statement from @PackAthletics
"We will continue to discuss and evaluate our potential for seating capacity adjustments… We will communicate any modifications to the NC State community when greater clarity and additional ticketing opportunities become available."— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) February 24, 2021
NC State women’s basketball plays its games in Reynolds Coliseum. Following (relatively) recent renovations, Reynolds Coliseum seats a max of 5,500 people — just over the 5,000 threshold.
Last week, the ACC announced that both of the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments wouldn’t have public ticket sales, due to current North Carolina regulations. That will likely change now, too.