The New York Islanders are going to see an even further bump in attendance for their upcoming trip to the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs from the originally announced increase from 10% to 25% capacity last month.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that half of the ticket sales will go to vaccinated fans, who will be able to sit in sections featuring three feet of social distancing. That allows for more fans to be permitted into the arena, which would provide an obvious increase from the bump to 25% that Cuomo announced on April 26.
The other 50% of ticket sales will go to unvaccinated fans, who will maintain the current social-distancing parameters of six feet.
All fans will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
Tickets are expected to go on sale later this week, beginning with season-ticket holders.
Vaccinated fans must present their proof of vaccination with the final dose being administered at least two weeks before the event. Unvaccinated fans can present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event or a negative rapid antigen test within six hours.
Getting more vaccinated fans into the arena fulfills the pleas of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, who implored Cuomo to expand capacity limitations at the Coliseum for the playoffs earlier this month.
“Nassau County’s high vaccination rate, declining COVID-19, and the Excelsior Pass should enable the safe expansion of seating capacity for vaccinated fans, or those with a negative COVID-19 test, at indoor stadiums like Nassau Coliseum,” Curran’s statement read.
The postseason will be the final Islanders games played at Nassau Coliseum as the team prepares to move to UBS Arena at Belmont Park this fall.
