New Orleans Saints won't refund ticket holders who refuse vaccine or COVID-19 test
The New Orleans Saints said that fans who won't abide by the team's health and safety protocols to attend games at the Caesars Superdome this season will not be eligible for refunds.
"We’ve received all necessary local and state approvals to host a full stadium of fans and with that in mind, we are not offering a refund or opt out option this season," Saints vice president of communications Greg Bensel said Wednesday in a statement to WDSU. "We remain optimistic that, with our community’s help and as vaccination rates increase, these restrictions will no longer be necessary as the season progresses."
On August 12, the team announced that, based on new rules implemented by the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, indoor sporting events will be allowed to have full capacity, provided that spectators meet certain conditions. The City is requiring fans to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test that is taken within the 72 hours before the event starts.
The State is requiring masks to be worn at all time, except when eating or drinking.
Bensel added that ticket holders who are not planning on attending games this season consider reselling their individual game tickets on the website of a secondary market partner.
On Monday, the Las Vegas Raiders became the first team in the NFL to require proof of vaccination to attend games this season at Allegiant Stadium. Under that policy, the team is not requiring fans to wear masks because of the vaccination status of the attendees.
The Raiders said they are also offering fans to receive the vaccine on site at Allegiant Stadium before games, with the newly-vaccinated fans needing to wear a mask while attending the event.
Another difference between the Saints and Raiders' policies, however, is that Raiders fans with season tickets wishing to refuse to abide by the policy can request a refund for the 2022 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saints won't refund ticket holders who refuse vaccine or COVID-19 test
