2021 MLS: Why is Atlanta United allowing 50% attendance?

With the 2021 MLS season now underway, Atlanta United will be welcoming fans back for their first home game of the new campaign. Gabriel Heinze’s team were held to a goalless draw away at Orlando City on the Opening day and will be hoping some home support will spur them onto victory when Chicago Fire pay their annual visit on Saturday.

Atlanta's stadium at 50% capacity for Chicago Fire clash

Attendance levels will be at 50% for this weekend’s game. Atlanta will open the lower two concourse levels of their 71,000-seater Mercedes-Benz stadium to the public for this weekend’s meeting with Chicago Fire, which will allow around 42,500 fans to watch the game. It is part of an initiative to get fans back into the stadium where they can follow the action in a safe environment.

Atlanta United Chief Business Officer Catie Griggs explained, “We’re excited to be able to kick off our 2021 season at 50% capacity. This allows for seating pods to remain distanced from one another, while providing more of our season ticket members the opportunity to safely attend our first match.”

Atlanta will be opening their stadium up for forthcoming home games, with capacity determined on a match-by-match basis. Next week, the club is expected to announce details of how many fans can attend other home games, including the meeting with CF Montreal on 15 May.

Health and safety protocol

Health and safety guidelines remain in place for all of Atlanta United home matches at the Mercedes-Benz stadium. All guests from the age of two years upwards are required to wear a face covering at all times (other than while actively eating or drinking, which is only permitted in your seats). It is strongly recommended that fans arrive at the stadium wearing face coverings, and wear them walking to and from parking lots or public transit. All Mercedes-Benz Stadium associates are required to wear face coverings.

All stadium guests are expected to maintain social distancing in all areas of the stadium. Game tickets will be distributed in "pods" to support social distancing between each group of ticket-holders attending together, with the expectation that fans will be attending game with family members they have been sheltering with and/or with trusted acquaintances. These ticketing pods will be distanced from the next seating pod.