Barclays Center Welcomes Back Fans For 1st Time In Nearly A Year

BROOKLYN, NY — At-home test kits, seating pods, brand new air filtration systems — Tuesday's Brooklyn Nets game at the Barclays Center looked a lot different than it did nearly a year ago, the last time fans were allowed into the stadium.

The Brooklyn arena welcomed back fans this week for the first time since March 2020 under new guidelines from the state to reopen events venues.

The Barclays is the first venue to be approved by the state's health department since a pilot program that allowed 7,000 fans attend Buffalo Bills games during the playoffs was deemed a success.

About 300 fans will be spread throughout the 19,000-seat arena for their game against the Sacramento Kings.

“I can’t wait. I’m excited,” Nets newcomer James Harden told reporters after Sunday night's game. “...Just to have some excitement, some extra energy in the crowd, it’s going to be exciting for obviously the entire team. So we can’t wait."

The reopening included vigorous testing and safety protocols including a negative coronavirus test before the game, a "touchless experience" for security and restrooms and individual "pods" for each group of fans, according to the Barclays Center.

The venue plans to admit 300 fans for each of the first three games and increase the crowds to nearly 1,800 per game by early March, they told the Wall Street Journal.

Under state rules, sport and event venues with capacity for more than 100,000 people are allowed to welcome back as much as 10 percent capacity.

The Barclays plans to meet the state's testing rules by sending each ticket holder an at-home testing kit and requiring negative results within 72 hours of the game. Second rapid tests will be used at the game for fans whose test results are between 48 and 72 hours old, the venue said.

Fans will be required to sit in pods 9 feet apart, with designated eating areas and bathrooms, according to the Barclays. Staff will also provide fresh KF94 masks for fans to swap with their own masks when they arrive at the game.

Find an overview of the Barclays safety procedures here.