INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers will begin allowing a limited number of fans into Bankers Life Fieldhouse this month.
Tickets for games from Jan. 24-March 4 will go on sale Jan. 19. The Pacers will limit sales to approximately 1,000 tickets per game through Jan. 25 and consider gradual increases for games later in the season, according to a news release.
Marion County Public Health Department guidelines cap attendance at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to 25% capacity, or about 4,500 fans, this season.
“There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our fans, players, and staff, and that is why we are taking a responsible ‘crawl-walk-run’ approach to bringing guests back to the Fieldhouse,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E President & COO. “We will enforce safety requirements, have made updates to the building and our operations, are regularly training and testing our staff, and will continue to communicate with the public so fans can support the team they love in the NBA’s best arena.”
The Pacers have hosted games in front of empty stands since the season began Dec. 23.
Before attending games, fans will be required to take several steps as part of the team's COVID-19 safety guidelines.
New policies and protocols include:
- Health screenings: Fans must complete the Ascension St. Vincent “Screen & Go” online health screening prior to arrival and show confirmation before entering Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Adults accompanying young children will be asked to answer screening questions on the children’s behalf.
- Face masks: Fans must wear face masks at all times when not actively eating or drinking. Neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with valves or vents are not permitted.
- Physical distancing: Six-foot physical distancing is required while in the seating bowl, in lines for concessions and security, and at all other times in the fieldhouse. Guest services staff and signage will remind guests of protocols.
- Pod seating: Fans will be seated in groups away from others not in their parties, and all fans must sit only in their assigned seats.
- Mobile ticketing: Ticketing will be completely mobile.
- Security: Lower-contact security screening includes x-raying of bags and express lines for guests without bags.
- Cashless facility: Bankers Life Fieldhouse is now a cashless facility, with cash-to-card machines located around the arena.
- Concessions: Food items will be individually packaged, and staff will use PPE and be separated from guests by plexiglass dividers.
Additionally, arena staff will continously clean high-trafficked areas of the area and more than 300 hand sanitizer dispensers will be located throughout the fieldhouse.
Restrooms have been equipped with automated faucets, soap dispensers and other touch-free fixtures.
The Bankers Life Fieldhouse HVAC system is being equipped with UV-C technology to provide better ventilation and air flow. MERV-13 air filters have been installed to better capture and filter airborne viruses, according to the franchise.
