SAN JOSE – Responding to updated health guidelines from the state, Sharks Sports & Entertainment announced Monday that starting this weekend, fans attending hockey games at SAP Center will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry.
The change is in line with the Chase Center’s modification announced last week.
California’s Department of Public Health on March 17 stated that instead of requiring proof of full vaccination or evidence of recent negative COVID-19 test for entry into indoor mega-events, it would move to a “strong recommendation” to the public to use those measures for limiting the spread of the virus.
The state’s new guidelines go into effect Friday. The Sharks’ next home game is Saturday against the Dallas Stars.
Wednesday’s Warriors game against the Suns will be the last time Chase Center spectators will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result. However, unvaccinated fans are still required to wear masks, per the city’s mandate, when they’re not actively eating or drinking.
In its news release, SSE noted that “certain event promoters may choose to implement restrictions at SAP Center” and that it would be “in communication with ticketholders in advance, as applicable.”
Previously, all guests 2 or older attending events at SAP Center had to either be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test. Mega-events are defined as being indoor crowds greater than 1,000 or outdoor crowds greater than 10,000.
A spokesperson for San Jose’s COVID-19 recovery response department said the city “supports the SAP Center’s alignment with recent changes in local and State COVID policies.”
California has had a test positivity rate over the last seven days of 1.3 percent, down from a seven-day rolling average of 22.5 percent in early January during the height of the omicron surge. Santa Clara County’s seven-day positivity rate as of Monday was 1.8 percent, a 0.4 percent increase from the previous seven-day rate.
The Sharks have announced an average of 12,443 tickets sold for their 34 home games so far this season at the 17,562-seat arena. That’s down from an average of 16,427 for 36 home games in 2019-2020 before the start of the pandemic.
In February, SSE president Jonathan Becher said the pandemic is the biggest reason why attendance for NHL games this season has dropped so dramatically.
Becher said some patrons are either still concerned about contracting the virus or not in agreement with vaccine mandates.
“Some people are not comfortable coming back to mega-events, 5,000-to-10,000 or more people,” Becher said. “Frankly, some people are comfortable, but they don’t want to deal with (vaccinations), boosters, masks, etc.”
