It Will Cost Fans A Lot More To Attend Sporting Events in NYC

New York City is taking steps to reopen arenas and stadiums to allow spectators at sporting events, but attending a game will come with a hefty price tag.

Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, will host its first game with fans in about 11 months when the Nets taking on the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 23.

The gameday protocols require that all patrons arrive with a negative PCR COVID-19 test result — administered 72 hours prior to arrival — in hand.

John Abbamondi, CEO of BSE Global — the parent company of the Nets and Barclays Center — thanked New York governor Andrew Cuomo for collaborating with the team and assisting in making a safety plan to allow fans back in arenas and stadiums.

"The Governor has played a tremendous role in getting New York businesses back on their feet and we are proud to announce that for the remainder of the season we are donating a portion of ticket proceeds to support vaccination efforts here in Brooklyn," Abbamondi said.

Fans will be required to take a second COVID-19 rapid test upon arrival, just as they were for the Buffalo Bills playoff game, New York's News 4 reports.

The second test comes with rapid results back in six minutes, and arena staff have to go through the same testing requirements as the spectators.

Individuals who want to attend should expect to pay $200 for COVID-19 testing in addition to the cost of the ticket.

"Fans are craving to come back and watch live sports, and we have to reinvent the arena experience to adapt for the pandemic," Abbamondi said. "That's what we are trying to do."

Abbamondi said the game-day experience will be significantly different from previous games. He said some seating areas have been built into mini-suites and others have been divided with plexiglass walls.

Nets season ticket holders will be given priority access to the limited tickets, and 10% capacity will be allowed at Barclays Center for the game.