20,000 Spectators Allowed At Firestone Grand Prix Of St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Twenty-thousand spectators will be allowed to attend the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in April, the city of St. Pete and Green Savoree St. Pete, LLC said on Thursday.

The city council approved the resolution by a count of seven votes to zero.

"This is an important event for our local economy and will again serve to showcase and elevate the Sunshine City on the world stage,”Mayor Rick Kriseman said. “I am confident that the protocols in place will allow for a safe, fun race weekend in St. Pete."

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete traditionally kicks off the Indycar Season, but that won't happen this year just as it didn't last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's race will be the second on the NTT Indycar Series schedule. Normally it's scheduled during the first weekend of March, however, city leaders and race officials said shifting it to April provides the opportunity for more fans to attend.

The exclusive renewal period began Thursday for race fans who attended last year’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and purchased 3-Day tickets. These customers will have until Monday, Mar. 15 at 5 p.m. to renew their 3-Day reserved grandstand seats or general admission tickets. Grandstand seating will be limited capacity again to allow for social distancing between groups. Public ticket sales will open on Thursday, Mar. 18 at 2 p.m.

Competitors, spectators and all associated with the event will be subject to a health screening and temperature check before entry is permitted. All attendees will be required to wear masks or facial coverings at all times unless when eating or drinking with the “No Mask, No Entry” plan. Those who don’t have one will be issued a mask at the entry gates. The CDC’s recommended guideline of at least six feet of social distancing should be maintained while on site. Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations will be available across the venue.

The 100-lap race will be broadcast live nationally on NBC with coverage beginning at noon. Live streaming of all Indycar practice and qualifying sessions will be available on Peacock Premium throughout the weekend.

For ticket information, visit gpstpete.com. The race is scheduled April 23 to April 25.