A limited number of Ohio State fans will get to see their favorite team play in person next month.
The NCAA announced Friday morning its decision to allow a "limited number" of fans to attend March Madness games. Arenas in Indiana, which will host the entire tournament over the course of several weeks, will be filled to up to 25 percent capacity with "physical distancing." The NCAA said it made the call "in conjunction with state and local health authorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
Dan Gavitt, the NCAA's senior vice president of basketball, mentioned he was "optimistic" about fans being able to watch NCAA tournament games from inside the buildings on Thursday, and on Friday it was made official.
“This year’s tournament will be like no other, and while we know it won’t be the same for anyone, we are looking forward to providing a memorable experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans at a once-in-a-lifetime tournament,” Gavitt said in a statement. “After the cancellation of the 2020 tournament, we are happy to welcome some fans back to all rounds of the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.”
All fans must wear masks and physically distance themselves from one another, per the NCAA. Arenas will go through "thorough cleaning, disinfecting and safety measures."
The 25-percent capacity includes everybody in the building, from players to coaches to fans to staffers to essential employees.
“We have been in regular conversations with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group and local health officials to make sure we have the right protocols in place to provide a safe environment,” NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline said in a statement. “Additionally, IU Health is providing critical testing and monitoring services enabling us to safely conduct the tournament.”
For Ohio State, this represents the first time it will have fans of its own team in arenas for the first time in a while. No fans were allowed inside the Schottenstein Center this season due to the pandemic.
