The Wisconsin Badgers will kick off their 2020 football season on the weekend of Oct. 24 against the Illinois Fighting Illini, a day that cannot come soon enough.
On October 1 the program announced their original plan for fan attendance at those games: only family members of players and staff allowed in the stands, amounting to approximately 1,000-1,500 people watching live.
Well, due to the growing COVID-19 numbers in the state the program reversed course this week, now announcing that only players, coaches, essential stadium operations personnel and a limited number of family members will be allowed at the games.
“It’s unfortunate that circumstances will no longer allow us to invite families to attend, but we support this decision and know that the safety of our students, staff and community has to be our top priority,” Athletic Director Barry Alvarez stated in a release. “We know Badger games are usually a time when we can come together, but right now we are urging everyone to watch our games safely and responsibly.”
Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank discussed the reasoning behind the change, saying “given the high rates of infection in the state of Wisconsin, we don’t want anyone in the stadium who doesn’t need to be there.”
The university also released updated gameday guidelines for the city as a whole:
- Tailgating, loitering, and open containers will not be permitted anywhere on campus
- Campus lots will be closed, except for UW employees with a baselot permit, using it for work purposes. Lots will be staffed to ensure that no tailgating occurs.
- During all home football weekends, there will be no game day sponsor activations or hospitality events
- Normal traditions, such as Badgerville and Badger Bash, will not be held.
- The Badger Band and Spirit Squad will not be present at the football game or perform on campus.
- Breese Terrace will be open to vehicular traffic for all games.
- Campus and City of Madison vending and merchandise locations will not be available along Breese Terrace or in the park area between Breese, Regent and Monroe. The main Bucky’s Locker Room at Gate 1 will remain closed during game days.
We are now just two weeks away from the return of Badger football and even though it will look a lot different in the city of Madison and on our television screens, at least there is a football season on the horizon.