University of Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said Monday in an email to season-ticket holders that 1,500 fans will be permitted to attend basketball games this season at 16,300-seat Allen Fieldhouse.
As reported by The Kansas City Star, Long said KU had allotted approximately 850 tickets per game for Williams Education Fund donors with the rest going to faculty and staff, students, coaches’ families and player guests and visiting teams. The athletic department will be changing from a season ticket to a single-game ticket model this season.
“This change will allow us to maximize the number of fans that can attend each game and provide ultimate flexibility in the ever-changing world of COVID-19,” Long stated.
Long said each Williams Fund donor will be provided a specific date and time to purchase tickets based on their membership level and priority points. Donors at the Hall of Fame & Champion level can order six tickets per game; those at the Olympian, All-American & Legend category can purchase four tickets per game and all other donor levels can buy two tickets per game. Single-game ticket prices will be adjusted based on the opponent and seating location within Allen Fieldhouse. Parking will be free on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The previous payment for season tickets and parking will be held on each account as a credit to be used for purchasing single-game tickets and hospitality (as applicable),” Long said in the email, adding that donors at the end of the season will be offered three refund options for any balance remaining on their account: convert to a donation toward the Jayhawk Relief Fund, apply as credit towards next season or a prorated refund.
Long said that 1,500 was the right number of fans based on “six-foot social distancing between groups in the seating area as well as additional Big 12 Conference mandates.”
“While this is not what any of us had hoped for this season, it is imperative that we implement these changes for everyone’s safety, as well as the safety of our student-athletes,” Long said to fans. “Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate these challenging times. We appreciate your support of Kansas Athletics.”
