Penguins Not Planning for Fans Until April; Flyers May Allow Fans Soon

The Philadelphia Flyers are planning for fans as soon as next week. The city of Philadelphia has its own vaccine plans and making its own rules, and reports poured out of Philly that arena staff is being put on alert. The Pittsburgh Penguins and their fans do not seem to be so lucky.

According to an email from the Pittsburgh Penguins to their season ticket holders, the earliest fans will be able to attend games is in April, though the team did leave a little wiggle room should Harrisburg change the public rules.

Earlier this week, Philadelphia sports pages were abuzz as multiple outlets reported by the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers were preparing to host fans and called arena employees back to work. According to Philadelphia reports, the Flyers fans could be in the Wells Fargo Center as early as March 7.

The city of Philadelphia has its own vaccine plan and has been operating somewhat independently. Late Thursday, the city announced the military would be delivering vaccines within the city.

Based on size, Philadelphia is the only city in Pennsylvania officially classified as a “first-class city” with its own public health department, which gives it the right to set its own rules.

We’ll let Penguins fans debate using the words Philadelphia and “first-class city” in the same sentence.

According to Well-Health, the Wells Fargo Center just completed an $11 million renovation of the HVAC system and other health and safety upgrades, which earned the building a safety rating from the International Well Building Institute.

A Pittsburgh Penguins season ticket holder provided PHN the Penguins’ latest communication. And those who would like to attend games in March seem to be out of luck.

UPDATE: A local government source told PHN the Penguins have contacted Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf but the Penguins “haven’t heard back.” Officially, the Allegheny health department directed PHN to the state office, as well.

From the Penguins email:

There has been no change in the state’s COVID-19 protocols for indoor events. While we are hopeful that this will change in the near future, we have prorated your season package as follows:

Full Season – 7 Game Package (April-May)

Half Season Plan A – 4 Game Package (April-May)

Half Season Plan B – 3 Game Package (April-May)

*The April 20 game was initially scheduled for February 4. As a result, it was previously released from season ticket accounts with credit applied. Money paid towards March games has been moved to account credit or any outstanding balance…