As the USL Championship season gets set to begin, there is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding fans in stadiums. Most teams have announced limits to their USL stadium capacities for the initial slate of matches, but almost all are guaranteed to expand those numbers if COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations improve during the coming months.
Just like most of the USL League One teams, clubs have already shared that they will reassess stadium capacity limits before each match, as most teams are dependent on their respective city and county government protocols.
So while these percentages will likely change by summertime, we compiled the latest USL Championship stadium capacities from each of the clubs ahead of their home openers. It’s also worth noting that some teams have yet to finalize or formally share their stadium capacity numbers. In those instances, the number is based on the local government restrictions at the moment or information from similar teams and venues in the respective regions.
| Atlanta United 2 | TBA (Projected at least 20%) | Expect this total to be at least 20%. Even though Atlanta United is doing 50% for its lower tiers in Mercedes Bank Stadium, Atlanta United 2 plays at nearby Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State University, which means they might have to follow the school protocol that limits stadium capacity to 20% for its football games. |
| Austin Bold | TBA (Projected at least 50%) | Although Texas Governor Greg Abbott has removed any limitations from state businesses, Austin isn’t going that far. While the team has yet to formally announce a total, the professional rugby team playing at the same venue, Bold Stadium, announced they are opening up to 50% capacity so one can expect Austin Bold to do the same. |
| Birmingham Legion | TBA (Projected at least 50%) | The two major colleges in Alabama are hosting events at 40% and 50% capacity so the Legion may be able to host 50% |
| Charleston Battery | 50% | |
| Charlotte Independence | 30% | |
| Colorado Springs Switchbacks | TBA (Projected at least 44%) | The Colorado Rapids are allowing approximately 44% capacity and because Denver is stricter than most Colorado cities, we can expect Colorado Springs to at least match that number. |
| El Paso Locomotive FC | 70% | [UPDATED] As of April 26, the team announced it will be able to start with 70% capacity. |
| Hartford Athletic | 50% | |
| Indy Eleven | 25% | The club has yet to announce details but because the NCAA had indoor basketball games with 25% capacity, we expect outdoor venues to at least match or exceed that limit. |
| LA Galaxy 2 | 25% | |
| Las Vegas Lights FC | 50% | Nevada’s governor has said capacity limits could be eliminated by as early as June 1 so be on the lookout for Las Vegas Lights FC to be one of the first to go to a full stadium if case rates improve. |
| Loudon United FC | 20% | |
| Louisville City FC | 35% | Kentucky’s governor is incentivizing residents to get vaccinated by saying that he’ll lift all capacity restrictions when they his a certain vax mark. This means Louisville City FC might become one of the first to get to 100% later in the season. |
| Memphis 901 FC | 30% | |
| Miami FC | 0% | As of March 30, the club announced that the first slate of games will be behind closed doors. |
| New Mexico United | 25% | |
| New York Red Bulls 2 | 15% | |
| Oakland Roots SC | 20% | We expect this to jump to 33% within the first month or two. Much like their fellow California clubs, teams are able to expand USL stadium capacities based on how well their respective county does with COVID-19 cases. |
| OKC Energy FC | TBA (Projected at least 50%) | Because FC Tulsa is doing 50% capacity and the Oklahoma City indoor arena is allowing over 40% for a rodeo event, we expect OKC Energy FC to at least match those numbers. |
| Orange County SC | TBA (Projected at least 33%) | The current Orange County COVID-19 tier allows for 20% capacity but officials expect that to improve within weeks, which would allow for 33% by the home opener. |
| Phoenix Rising FC | 50% | |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 22% | |
| Real Monarchs SLC | TBA (Projected at least 75%) | Rugby team playing at the same stadium is opening up to 75% capacity. |
| Rio Grande Valley FC | TBA (Projected at least 35%) | The stadium is operating at 35% capacity for a concert in April. |
| Sacramento Republic | 20% | |
| San Antonio FC | 39% | |
| San Diego Loyal | 33% | |
| Tacoma Defiance | 25% | |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | TBA (Projected at least 36%) | The local baseball team is operating at a 36% capacity and that’s an indoor venue so we can assume Al Lang will be similar or greater. |
| FC Tulsa | 50% |