Hornets To Allow 5,000 Fans Starting This Week

March 23, 2021

Brittney Melton, AP,

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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) passes the ball around Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes (22) to teammate Bismack Biyombo during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, center, drives to the basket on Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
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Sacramento Kings guard Cory Joseph (9) fouls Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
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Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball (2) looks to pass the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves' Jarrett Culver and Jordan McLaughlin, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball, right, loses the ball after being fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves' Jaylen Nowell (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk (1) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) shoots past Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) knocks the ball loose from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York
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Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) is fouled while shooting against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Phoenix Suns forward Frank Kaminsky, right, steals the ball from Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) has words with Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker was given a technical foul for the confrontation. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) drives as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric (20) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets will allow approximately 5,000 fans to attend NBA home games beginning March 26 against Miami, or about 25% percent of the Spectrum Center’s seating capacity.

That’s a 10% increase from the 3,000 fans that were allowed to attend home games beginning March 13.

Under the changes announced Tuesday by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, sports venues were allowed to increase fan attendance to 50% of capacity. But to comply with social distancing guidelines the Hornets were only able to expand to 25% capacity.

“The energy and passion provided by our Hornets fans has made a tremendous impact for our players and coaches, and we’re excited to safely increase Spectrum Center’s capacity to 25%,” said Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “We’re extremely proud of the way in which our fans have overwhelmingly adopted our new health and safety protocols, and we’re grateful for our entire HSE staff that has made the health and safety of our guests the top priority. I’d like to once again thank Governor Cooper, Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio and our state and county health officials for their continued leadership throughout our reopening process.”