Houston Dynamo FC continue phased approach to expanding seating capacity at BBVA Stadium

The Houston Dynamo Football Club will continue its phased approach toward returning to full capacity at BBVA Stadium by mid-summer with a pair of incremental expansions over the next two months, the Club announced today.

The Club opened the 2021 season at 30 percent capacity, or roughly 6,500 seats for Dynamo home matches. Moving forward, the phased approach to reopening will see an increase to 40 percent, or approximately 9,000 seats, for the next two home matches on May 1 against Los Angeles FC and May 12 against Sporting Kansas City.

Following those matches, the Club will plan to further expand to 50 percent capacity, or 11,000 seats, for home matches on May 22 against Vancouver and June 23 against Portland before returning to full capacity on July 3 when the Dynamo host FC Cincinnati.

“We know that everyone is anxious to get back to the way things were prior to the pandemic, and we’re no different, but we want to do so safely and intelligently,” said Club president John Walker. “We look forward to welcoming more fans back to BBVA Stadium and enjoying those shared experiences, the highs and lows, together.”

Today’s decision comes after Major League Soccer informed its member clubs this week that it will be easing restrictions after consulting with the league’s medical task force.

Although the league has told clubs that they may bring more fans into stadiums effective immediately, the Dynamo are expanding in phases in order to allow for continual evaluation throughout the upcoming months. The Club may make alterations to the plan at any point in the future based on current medical guidance and information available at the time.

“We’re certainly hopeful to be able to return to full capacity this summer, and there are a number of encouraging signs that point toward that, but we also believe it’s important to be continue placing the community first,” Walker said. “By taking a step-by-step approach toward reopening, we have the opportunity to continually evaluate things here in Houston and elsewhere and adjust accordingly. We’re committed to creating a safe environment for every fan every time they come through our doors.”

For all matches through June, the Club will continue to reserve sections with additional distancing in order to accommodate guests who may not be comfortable being in closer proximity with others.

Although the Club intends to gradually increase capacity, several important measures will remain in place to ensure fan safety. All guests at BBVA Stadium will still be required to wear a mask until further notice, and the Stadium will continue to implement cashless payments, serve individually-packaged concession items and maintain frequent cleanings of high-traffic spaces.

Under the current 30 percent capacity, many of the Dynamo’s season ticket members were relocated into temporary seats in order to ensure adequate distance between seating groups. For the next phase, those temporary locations will stay in place, with most season ticket members returning to their normal seats when the Club moves to 50 percent capacity in late May, although a very limited number of season ticket members with seats very near designated player areas may remain impacted by MLS restrictions.

Houston Dynamo FC Planned Seating Capacity By Game