Charlotte 49ers open sporting events back up to fans

The Charlotte 49ers will resume allowing fans to attend home basketball games at Halton Arena, beginning this week.

Athletics officials said the change goes into effect Wednesday when the 49ers’ men’s basketball team hosts Old Dominion. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

The 49ers had limited attendance to families of coaches and players since late December, when the number of COVID-19 cases began spiking with the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant.

The 49ers haven’t played before home fans since their Dec. 22 game against Western Carolina.

Capacity attendance will be permitted at Halton Arena for the remainder of the men’s and women’s seasons, 49ers’ officials said.

The mask policy remains in effect. Fans, ages 5 or older, must wear masks during the games, except when eating or drinking.

The first women’s basketball game with fans will be Saturday when Charlotte hosts Old Dominion.

The 49ers men’s team (10-7, 3-2 Conference USA) are 7-1 at home this season.

Charlotte and Old Dominion had been scheduled to play at Halton Arena on Jan. 8, but the game was postponed due to health and wellness concerns in the ODU program. 49ers’ officials said tickets, parking passes and hospitality packages purchased for that Jan. 8 game will be honored Wednesday.

Remaining Charlotte men’s basketball games:

  • Feb. 3, Western Kentucky

  • Feb. 5, Marshall

  • Feb. 10, Louisiana Tech

  • Feb. 24, Florida International

  • Feb. 26, Florida Atlantic

  • March 2, Middle Tennessee State



Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle