Governor Larry Hogan to Allow 50% Capacity for Orioles

Sep 4, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A general view of the stadium as the sun sets during the game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A general view of the stadium as the sun sets during the game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

As of right now, fans will be in attendance for Orioles Opening Day

During a COVID-19 update press conference conducted by Governor Larry Hogan on Tuesday, the state of Maryland will loosen restrictions and allow large indoor and outdoor venues such as Orioles Park at Camden Yards to operate at 50% capacity beginning Friday, March 12th. This means the Baltimore Orioles will play with fans in attendance during their home opener against the Boston Red Sox on April 8th.

According to a report from WUSA9, Gov. Hogan’s plan includes easing restrictions on indoor/outdoor dining, retail stores, places of worship, fitness centers, and various recreational centers. However, the state’s mask mandate and social distancing guidelines are still active for when the plan officially goes into effect at 5 PM on Friday.

At a true 50% capacity, Orioles Park at Camden Yards will seat 22,985 people, which exceeds the team’s 2019 attendance rate of 16,347 fans per game, according to ESPN. During that season, Baltimore finished 28th in the league in attendance rate.

According to a poll posted on our Twitter page, 82% of fans are interested in attending games at Camden Yards this season, which will likely include strict precautionary measures as not to reverse the work Marylanders have done to combat the COVID-19 outbreak over the past 12 months.

Baltimore’s 2021 home opener versus Boston is set to be the first game at Camden Yards with fans in attendance since September 22nd, 2019.