USF makes it official: Fans will be allowed at Saturday’s homecoming game

USF formally announced Monday it will welcome a limited number of fans for its next two home games and likely will do the same for its last two, barring any complications related to COVID-19.

Tailgating will not be permitted in any of the Raymond James Stadium parking lots.

The school plans to allow approximately 8,000 in the lower-bowl area and slightly fewer than 3,000 in various suites for Saturday evening’s homecoming contest against East Carolina and its Friday-night game (Oct. 23) against Tulsa.

Seating will be in physically distanced pods, ranging from two to six people, with a limited number of single seats available. At least 1,700 tickets will be set aside for students, mostly in their traditional north end zone seating area.

The athletic department and university will review stadium operations from the first two games, with fans and community factors related to COVID-19, before deciding on stadium capacity for the contests against Navy (Nov. 21) and UCF (Nov. 27).

At no game will the Bulls allow more than 25 percent of the stadium’s seating capacity.

Last week, officials with USF, the Bucs and Tampa Sports Authority (which manages the stadium) announced the facility’s new COVID-19 protocols and precautionary measures. They include cashless-only transactions, 775 hand sanitizers throughout the venue, a no-bag policy (though small clutches will be allowed) and the requirement of masks at all times.