Fans coming back to Nationwide Arena

COLUMBUS – The state has given the Blue Jackets the go-ahead to sell tickets for home games.

The team announced Saturday that the Ohio Department of Health had approved its request for a variance from orders prohibiting fans at indoor sporting events to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The variance will allow the Blue Jacket to admit 1,953 fans, or 10% of Nationwide Arena’s capacity, to home games, starting with the March 2 game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Current season ticket holders will receive priority access to single game tickets through a series of pre-sales starting Tuesday.

Under COVID-19 precautions the team is taking, face masks will be required for all fans over the age of 2 and seats will be grouped in “pods” separated by a minimum distance of six feet.

Tickets will be distributed via digital or mobile means and all ticketing, concessions and merchandise will be cashless.