Blue Jays approved for up to 15,000 fans at Rogers Centre

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetJuly 17, 2021 - 2:46pm

Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro reflected on how he reacted to learning that his team would be able to return to Toronto on July 30th for their home games.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been approved up to 15,000 fans at Rogers Centre this summer, team president and CEO Mark Shapiro announced Saturday.

#BlueJays have been approved up to 15,000 fans at Rogers Centre this summer per team president and CEO Mark Shapiro

Jays will have the roof open “for every opportunity we possibly can,” Shapiro said.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 17, 2021

The number comes from the limit the province of Ontario listed in its Stage 3 of re-opening, allowing up to 15,000 people in outdoor venues. With its retractable roof, Rogers Centre can be treated as an outdoor venue and Shapiro said the club will have the roof open “for every opportunity we possibly can.”

Blue Jays president and CEO confirms Rogers Centre can host a capacity of 15K under Stage 3 COVID rules because Ontario will treat it as an outdoor venue.

Ticket details coming early next week, with priority for season subscribers.

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 17, 2021

On Friday, the federal government granted a National Interest Exemption to the Blue Jays to allow the team to return home to Toronto for the remainder of their home games this season. Previously, the club played their home games in Dunedin, Fla., to begin the 2021 season before returning to Salhen Field in Buffalo, N.Y., last month.

Toronto is scheduled to start a three-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals on July 30. The Jays haven’t played at Rogers Centre since Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win over Tampa Bay.

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