Fans will be in the stands when the Georgia Bulldogs open their home schedule against Auburn on Oct. 3.
The University of Georgia Athletic Association sent an email to the 14,000-plus season ticket holders on Wednesday announcing its ticket plan and Sanford Stadium's capacity for the 2020 season.
UGA will allow roughly 23,000 fans at each home game -- 20-25 percent capacity -- and says donors will have an opt-in or opt-out option to buy tickets.
J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity said they consulted with state and local officials to build a plan for fans to return to the stadium.
“We have consulted with local officials, worked with—we have a group here on campus, the [Position Management and Classification] group that has evaluated all the campus operations, I have met with that group," McGarity said. "I meet with campus officials, the normal game operations group that we meet with: Steve Harris and Jimmy Williamson, to review our plan and get a second set of eyes. We also talk to our peers throughout the state, throughout the country. You would be surprised how much at even rival [schools], how much we will work together to talk through these things because this is not a thing about competitive advantage, this is about keeping people safe and maximizing our opportunity. We weren’t shying away from any idea that we could find, anywhere. We have worked with schools across the country, a lot of officials here—especially on campus.”
In the email, UGA said its top priority is maintaining a safe and healthy campus atmosphere, provide as many season ticket holders as possible the opportunity to attend, at a minimum, one of the four home games. If donors decide to opt-out for the 2020 season, they will not be penalized and will keep their seat location for 2021.
The announcement comes a day after the Southeastern Conference released its health and safety guidelines, which mandates face coverings in stadiums, and two days after the 10-game conference-only schedule was officially revealed.
The Bulldogs will open the home slate against Auburn on Oct. 3, followed by Tennessee (Oct. 10), Mississippi State (Nov. 21) and Vanderbilt (Dec. 5). UGA season ticket holders will not have the option to purchase away game tickets but can purchase tickets to the annual Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 7.
2020 UGA Football Modified Ticket Allocation Process:
The 2020 football season has been altered to a 10-game conference-only schedule including 4 home games vs Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt operating at a reduced capacity for each game. As a result, we are offering single game tickets to provide as many opportunities to current Hartman Fund donors who are season ticket holders, the ability to enjoy Georgia Football home games this fall.
Should you decide to not attend games this fall, your status as a season ticket holder will remain unchanged, and there will be an opportunity for refunds on previously paid Hartman Fund contributions, season tickets, and/or seatback purchases. You will be eligible to renew your previously established season ticket locations for the 2021 season regardless of your ticket buying decision for the modified 2020 season.
Single tickets will cost $150/ticket per-game. This includes a $75 ticket price and a $75 contribution requirement. These costs will be deducted from any previously paid 2020 football season ticket payments and Hartman Fund contributions. All tickets allocated will include a seatback on each seat to help facilitate social distancing and enhance the experience for all attendees. All tickets will be delivered via mobile delivery. Ticket holders will be required to download their ticket(s) onto their smartphone for scanned entry on gameday. Masks will be required to be worn when entering Sanford Stadium and while moving throughout the concourse.
The number of games in which you are eligible to qualify for will be based on your 2020 Hartman Fund annual giving level and/or involvement in the Magill Society. All donors who opt-in will be prompted to fill out an application to request a 4-ticket block to each and every game they would want to attend. In order to maximize capacity, the socially distanced model only allots for blocks of 4 seats. All 4 seats must be purchased by the same account.
