NCAA Football: Kentucky football sets attendance guidelines for 2020

The Kentucky Wildcats set their attendance numbers for the season.

The Southeastern Conference is the last conference to begin their season. The SEC kicks off on Sept. 26. Most schools have set the number of fans they are allowing at their home games. Every school has set the number of fans around 20-25 percent capacity. The University of Kentucky has now followed suit.

At a meeting on Thursday, the University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said that Kroger Field — home of Kentucky football — would be at 20 percent capacity. Kroger field holds 61,000 people; if you do the math, that comes to about 12,000 people.

Because of the limited number of seats, Kentucky is not selling season tickets. Current season ticket holders have the priority to purchase tickets via an online selection process. The order in which season ticket holders will buy tickets will be determined by K Fund priority ranking.

Masks will be required upon entry, and there is no tailgating. Suites are also available at either ten persons or 20 percent, whichever is greater. Single-game tickets are also available in blocks of either 2 or 4. The purchase price of tickets will also include parking. All purchased tickets will be released via mobile delivery.

Season ticket holders who choose not to attend have several options this season. They can donate to UK athletics or request a full refund or credit this season. All of the guidelines concerning disinfection, vending, and seating are in full compliance with the guidance set by the SEC.

This decision is no different than what professional sports that can not “bubble” are doing to play a season in 2020. MLB has had its issues with COVID outbreaks, and the Big Ten and Pac-12 have canceled their seasons. The SEC, ACC and Big 12 are attempting to play this season despite COVID outbreaks across several of their conferences.