KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas on Tuesday addressed the safety of having a limited number of fans at Arrowhead Stadium for Chiefs games this fall.
The Chiefs announced Monday that fans will be allowed at games at 22% capacity and with significant changes to the overall experience.
At a news conference Tuesday, Lucas was asked what makes Kansas City different from other cities where NFL teams have chosen not to have fans at games.
Lucas said that the Chiefs, the University of Kansas Health System and the Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department all worked together to come up with a plan they believe is safe for fans.
"What makes Kansas City different from other cities? You know, I can't speak for other cities," he said.
Lucas suggested decisions were being made based on the number of cases some areas have seen, saying that he's sure New York and New Jersey are taking their numbers into consideration.
He went on to say that a Chiefs game is different than a normal night out because fans will be outdoors and the experience will be significantly different from what normally takes place at Arrowhead.
"Every part of the process will be different," Lucas said. "So in many ways, as I'm seeing it, this is not actually your regular Arrowhead Stadium experience.
He mentioned that everything from entering the stadium to using restrooms will look different and require social distancing.
"You know, people have asked, do I have some concern? I absolutely do," Lucas said. "I'm a pretty big Chiefs fan but I don't know if I'll be going out to the stadium."
The mayor went on to say he knows everyone with the Chiefs is working their hardest to make sure fans stay safe.
"The Kansas City Chiefs do not want to see an outbreak tied to Arrowhead stadium," Lucas said.
