There has been no official word yet on whether or not fans will be allowed to attend football games at the University of Utah this fall, but allowing fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the Red-White Game feels like a start.
The athletic department on Wednesday morning announced that it will host 6,500 fans at Rice-Eccles for the annual spring game on April 17 (Noon, Pac-12 Networks). The final three-quarters of spring practice, including the Red-White Game, were canceled in 2020 during the infancy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Per Utah, settling on 6,500 as the attendance figure “was established through consultation with, and approval from, campus and local public health authorities in compliance with Pac-12 Conference policy.”
“It’s an exciting day for so many different reasons,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan told ESPN700 on Wednesday morning, 30 minutes after the spring game announcement came down. “First and foremost, we need our fans to do everything we want to accomplish here. To have them back in the coming weeks for this game, it’s just exciting for everybody.”
HOW TO PURCHASE RED-WHITE GAME TICKETS
Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 2, at 10 a.m., and may be purchased for $10, or in a bundle of four tickets for $22, either online or by phone at 801-581-8849. Tickets will be distributed digitally to provide a touch-free admission experience. Student tickets will be available the day of the game at the stadium. Students are encouraged to follow The MUSS social media accounts for further details on claiming tickets.
A special pre-sale will begin today for supporters of the Utah Athletics Department’s #ReinvestInU campaign and supporters of the Ken Garff Performance Zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium, either through philanthropic giving or premium seating purchases
Wednesday’s spring game attendance news comes a day after the school announced it will allow up to two guests per graduate at convocation ceremonies in May. Utah has scheduled in-person, outdoor convocation ceremonies for all colleges, May 5-8, both at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre.
Of note, all funds raised through ticket sales to the Red-White Game will go to the Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in January to honor the legacy of the star running back, who died on Christmas night.
The Red-White Game will represent Utah’s 15th and final spring practice. Practice No. 8 was slated for Wednesday afternoon, while No. 9 on Friday will include the team’s first live scrimmage of the spring.
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