Governor Cuomo Announces New Concert and Sports Venue Capacities for WNY

Governor Andrew Cuomo held a late morning press conference on Thursday, to announce a few changes and updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and there was some good news for those who are hoping to attend concerts in the next few months.

Cuomo announced that starting on April 1st, New York State (including Western New York) will start allowing a larger capacity at outdoor and indoor art venues and sporting events, per WKBW.

• Outdoor venues with a capacity of 2,500 or larger, that host concerts can reopen at 20 percent capacity.
• Indoor sports venues with 1,500 or more capacity, can have a 10 percent capacity limit.
• Outdoor sports venues with a capacity of 2,500 or larger can start hosting at 20 percent capacity.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination will be required for ALL attendees, however. Cuomo said that New York State would re-evaluate that requirement in mid-May, so we will see if that changes at all before we reach the summer.

This comes after the state recently announced new social gathering limits would go into effect on March 22nd. Indoor residential gatherings could increase to 10 people, while outdoor gatherings could increase to 25 people.

Get our free mobile app

I haven't been to a concert in well over a year and haven't been to a sporting event since early 2020, so I think I speak for everyone when I say that it's great to see things improving here and hopefully the news keeps getting better as we roll into the spring and summer.