With the built-in advantage of an open-air stadium, All Elite Wrestling announced today that it will be allowing a few fans in to watch AEW Dynamite starting with its Thursday, August 27th show.
Daily’s Place amphitheater in Jacksonville, Florida, will be the location for AEW shows in the immediate future, and limited, ticketed crowds of 10-15 percent capacity will be allowed in.
Further details from the press release:
Guests will be required to wear face coverings that cover the nose and mouth, and to physically distance from any person who is not a member of their pod. Guests will also be asked not to attend the day of the show if they have COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19 or have had close contact exposure to someone who they know has COVID-19 or symptoms. In addition, all guests will have their temperature scanned prior to entry. An increased number of hand sanitizing stations will be available, and floor markings will also be used to assist with physical distancing. Industrial fans were also added this past year to further improve air circulation at the open-air venue.
The seats will be sold in “physically distanced seating pods,” in groups of two, three, four and six, spaced throughout the outdoor stadium, which is located next door to TIAA Bank Field, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. ET via AEWTIX.com and Ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at $30 (not including service charges or fees).
AEW fans have been congregating in Wednesday evenings in their cars outside the stadium. For the short term, AEW is taping its shows on different nights, as NBA Playoffs have bumped it from Wednesday nights on TNT.
“We’ve missed the incredible energy of our fans at shows, and from what we’ve heard from them, they’ve missed being with us. With our enhanced safety measures and outdoor venue, we look forward to welcoming our fans back to become part of the action in-person,” said Tony Khan, AEW President and CEO, in the press release.
He continued: “Please be assured, we are mindful and respectful of the situation … The health
and safety of our AEW family and our fans remains our highest priority. Our leadership team
and medical staff have adjusted our operations for limited, physically distanced fans in an
outdoor, open-air setting in compliance with the most current state and local regulations and
CDC guidelines. We can’t wait for the August 27 DYNAMITE, as the road to ALL OUT will
represent the beginning of a new chapter in AEW history.”
The announcement comes days before WWE allows fans into its “Thunderdome” at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida — virtually.