Milwaukee Bucks approved to host more fans at Fiserv Forum

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, March 11, announced they received approval from the Milwaukee Health Department to increase fan capacity at Fiserv Forum for Bucks games to 18 percent, or approximately 3,280 fans, beginning on Saturday, March 20 when the Bucks host the San Antonio Spurs.

Previously, on Feb. 16, the Health Department had approved Fiserv Forum to host fans at 10 percent capacity, approximately 1,800 fans.

Before fans could watch the Bucks play the New York Knicks, they entered the stadium in designated waves.

The Bucks' policy of assigning entrance times is designed to avoid crowds.

"It’s a great idea. It’s a great way to get us in in a safe manner," fan Ronald Brown said.

The Bucks recommend buying tickets through the Bucks app.

Regardless of where you buy your tickets, you will need the app to complete a mandatory health screening and to buy concessions.

“If you’re wanting to get that hot dog, and a soda or a hot dog and a beer at the game, you can do that all right from your app, sitting in your seat,” Bucks Chief Marketing Officer Dustin Godsey said.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce said the increased fan capacity helps the downtown economy.

It also shows the Bucks are trending in the right direction, even if they aren’t making money on games yet.

“They’re building confidence with the health department that their procedures work, and they’re gradually phasing it into bigger numbers," MMAC Vice President of Governmental Affairs said. "And hopefully when we get to the playoffs and the NBA finals, we’ll be able to have a pretty full house.”

As part of the increase, suites and loft spaces inside Fiserv Forum will also be reopening in a limited capacity. The Bucks and Fiserv Forum will continue to work with the Milwaukee Health Department with the hopes of continuing to increase capacity as the season progresses.

Single-game tickets for the Bucks’ final five home games of March will go on sale to the public this Friday at 10 a.m. CT and can be purchased at www.bucks.com/tickets or through the Bucks app.

To ensure that the health and safety of everyone attending games at Fiserv Forum remains prioritized, the following protocols will continue, to include:

• Fans will be required to wear face coverings at all times when inside Fiserv Forum, except when actively eating or drinking
• Tickets will continue to be sold in pods of two or four seats to ensure proper social distancing throughout the seating bowl
• Fans entering Fiserv Forum will use a timed-entry system to reduce the size of groups congregating at entrances
• Fans are not permitted to bring in bags. Items larger than 4”x6”x1” will not be permitted
• Fans must remain seated at all times while they are in their seats (other than standing for the national anthem) and all food and drink must be consumed in their ticketed seat