MLB Opening Day 2021: How Many Fans Can Show Up To The Texas Rangers Game?

At least one MLB team plans to have every seat filled for Opening Day of the 2021 season. The Texas Rangers will operate at full capacity for their first home game of the year.

The Rangers will attempt to fill Globe Life Field for their final two spring training games and the home opener, The Athletic reports. With a capacity just north of 40,000, Globe Life Field will host exhibition contests between the Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers on March 29 and 30. Rangers' Opening Day is April 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The news comes shortly after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott officially lifted the statewide mask mandate and allowed all businesses to reopen at 100% capacity.

“We were very encouraged that the Governor’s Office has given clearance for us to fully open Globe Life Field at the start of the 2021 Major League Baseball season,” Rangers president of business operations and COO Neil Leibman said. “We’re fully confident that we can do this in a responsible and safe way. There is so much pent-up demand for people wanting to go to events in a safe environment.”

Tickets for the three games go on sale on March 22.

After Opening Day, the Rangers will offer “distanced seating” sections. Fans will be required to wear masks when they aren’t eating or drinking.

“We will require all those who enter Globe Life Field to wear a mask or face covering,” Leibman said, “[And we] and are working with Major League Baseball on some additional protocols required for player health and safety. We will continue to monitor developments and implement the necessary public health measures. We are excited that Rangers fans will finally be able to experience all that Globe Life Field has to offer.”

Globe Life Field hosted the 2020 NLCS and World Series with limited capacity seating. Nearly 11,500 fans were in attendance to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers win the championship.

The Rangers are the first team to announce a return to full capacity. There were no fans present during any regular-season games last year.

The Chicago Cubs and White Sox will be allowed to operate at 20% capacity on Opening Day. Much of the league is expected to start the season with limited seating.