Syracuse University Announces Updated Lacrosse Attendance Plan

On Saturday, March 6, Syracuse University became the first major college in New York State to pilot COVID prevention protocols designed to support safely reopening our stadium to fans, beginning first with Syracuse University students. As a result, nearly 250 students were able to attend the Orange men’s lacrosse team’s win vs. Vermont. This initial pilot was a great success and served as a critical first step in the University’s efforts to ensure future opportunities for student fans, family members of our student athletes, and eventually the public to safely attend events and competitions in the Syracuse University stadium.

We are happy to report that New York State’s initial evaluation of Saturday’s event and the University’s health and safety protocols was very positive. Over the next few days, we will continue to work with New York State to refine and enhance our stadium COVID prevention procedures. At the same time, our very positive experience hosting student fans over the weekend has resulted in an approval from New York State to continue our fan attendance pilot program.

Specifically, we are happy to announce that our students have been approved to attend the Syracuse University women’s lacrosse game vs. Notre Dame on Sunday, March 14, and the men’s lacrosse game vs. Hofstra on Saturday, March 20. Per the University’s pilot plan, as approved by the state, tickets to both games will be exclusively available to current Syracuse students.

Given significant limitations on the number of student fans we can accommodate in the stadium under the terms of our pilot agreement with New York State, for last weekend’s event we prioritized ticket distribution to student season ticket holders. For Sunday’s women’s lacrosse game vs. Notre Dame, we will prioritize our first-year and transfer students. Specifically, later today first-year and transfer students will receive email instructions detailing how to claim their ticket to Sunday’s game. Remaining tickets will be made available to all students via email beginning on Thursday, March 11. The same ticket procedure will apply to the men’s lacrosse game scheduled for Saturday, March 20, with first-year and transfer students receiving email instructions to claim their tickets on Monday, March 15.

The enhanced COVID testing procedure, approved by New York State as a condition of any student attending an athletic event in the stadium, remains unchanged. Specifically, all those who receive a ticket to attend Sunday’s game must be tested at the Stadium Testing Center on Friday, March 12. There are no exceptions to this requirement. An additional rapid test will be administered to students upon entry, and a follow-up PCR test must be completed with within 72 hours of the event. Students will sit in the lower level of the stadium in groupings of one to four people per seating pod, and the pods will be physically distanced at nine feet between each pod. Students must wear a mask at all times. Concession stands are not permitted under the terms of our agreement with New York State; however, bottles of water will be available to students at no charge. Tickets are non-transferrable, and a valid Syracuse University I.D. will be required for entrance into the stadium.

These student-only events continue to serve as important steps in our continued effort to ultimately welcome members of the general public back in a safe manner. Attendance policies for future games will be assessed following these next two contests. We thank you for your patience in advance.

Syracuse University Athletics