San Jose Earthquakes to take phased approach for expanding seating capacity at PayPal Park

The San Jose Earthquakes are taking a phased approach towards returning to full capacity at PayPal Park.

The Quakes held their home opener on Saturday, April 24, allowing 20% capacity, or roughly 3,600 fans. San Jose will maintain the same 20% capacity for this Saturday night’s contest against D.C. United.

The Earthquakes will hit the road to face Real Salt Lake on Friday, May 7 before returning to San Jose for a trio of home matches against Seattle Sounders FC (May 12), Portland Timbers (May 15) and Sporting Kansas City (May 22). PayPal Park will see an increase in attendance capacity for those three matches, climbing from ~3,600 to 5,000, roughly 28% of full stadium capacity.

San Jose will only have one home match over the following two months – a June 26 showdown with the rival LA Galaxy – before a home-heavy stretch from late July through September. The Quakes will play eight of 12 matches between July 24 and September 29 at PayPal Park.

“While we’re excited for things to slowly be returning to normal, the health and wellbeing of our guests remains the No. 1 priority,” said Earthquakes Chief Operating Officer Jared Shawlee. “By taking a phased approach, we’re able to evaluate from one match to the next and also quickly adjust to new protocols issued by health and safety officials.”

The Quakes are not currently requiring a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to attend matches at PayPal Park, a 100% outdoor, open-space venue. However, masks must be worn at all times, except while eating, and tickets are sold in spaced-out pods to properly adhere to social distancing guidelines.