If you're a Boston sports fan who wants to see your favorite team play in person, Charlie Baker has good news for you.
The Mass. Governor announced Thursday that if all goes according to plan, large venues (capacity of more than 5,000 people) will become open to the public with limited capacity beginning March 22.
TD Garden, Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium qualify as large venues, meaning fans of the Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox and New England Revolution could attend games in the very near future. March 22 would mark the start of Step 1 of Phase IV in the state's reopening process "provided public health metrics continue to improve," according to Mass.gov.
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Each venue will be capped at a 12% capacity limit, according to Baker, and the Celtics and Bruins plan to adhere to that guideline.
The Celtics are one of 15 NBA teams that has yet to allow fans at games. No club is admitting more than 25% of arena capacity, while the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets were the latest clubs to welcome fans back at 10% of arena capacity earlier this week.
By contrast, 19 NHL teams currently aren't allowing fans, the Bruins among them.
Boston Celtics
The C's begin a four-game road trip March 22, so if that date holds, the earliest fans could attend games would be March 29 against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Fans could see the B's in action on March 23 when the New York Islanders come to town.
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Meanwhile, Red Sox Opening Day is set for April 1 with a home game against the Baltimore Orioles, so it looks like Fenway could have fans in the seats for that contest. The MLS season begins April 17, meaning Revolution fans could be at Gillette Stadium by the end of April. (The Revs’ schedule has yet to be announced.)
Editor's Note: This story has been updated following Gov. Baker's announcement Thursday afternoon.