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SALT LAKE CITY — Are you fully vaccinated? If so, then you are eligible to sit courtside at a Utah Jazz game again.
The Jazz will increase the seating capacity at Vivint Arena to 6,700 beginning with Saturday's home contest against the Toronto Raptors, the team announced Friday. The previous capacity was 5,600.
For the first time this season, courtside tickets will be available to fans. There are some stipulations, however. In order to sit as close as possible to the action, fans must show proof of being fully vaccinated as well as a negative COVID-19 rapid test result.
There will be no proof of vaccination needed for any of the other fans in attendance, though all regular health and safety protocols, including mandatory masks, do remain. Masks are still required to be worn while not actively eating or drinking, and groups are asked to maintain a 6-foot distance between each other.
The Jazz have slowly allowed more and more fans into the arena as the season has progressed. They began the season in December with the upper bowl completely closed and only 1,500 fans allowed inside the arena. In February, the Jazz opened up the upper bowl and increased the attendance to just under 4,000 fans. After the All-Star break in March, the Jazz upped the limited capacity to 5,600.
The team's original goal to begin the season was to have a full-capacity crowd by the time the playoffs come around in late May. That might be wishful thinking, but the Jazz are slowly getting to that point.
With Saturday's increase, the arena will be at about 33% capacity.
