COVID-19 Protocols: Does Cal Require Vaccines for Attendance at California Memorial Stadium?
The 2021 college football game day experience at Cal, explained
College football is back.
The California Golden Bears host the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday, Sept. 4, at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium to start the 2021 college football season. For many Cal fans, this Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. Pacific kick-off will be the first time visiting Strawberry Canyon in 658 days (or more!)
Here is everything you might want to know about the college football game day experience at California Memorial Stadium in 2021.
Is COVID-19 vaccination required at California Memorial Stadium?
Cal Athletics is not one of the many universities requiring fans to show proof of vaccination to attend home football games amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University of California, Berkeley, says it “continues to follow all state and local public health guidelines to mitigate risk and support the health and well-being of those who attend Cal athletic events.”
The state of California recommends college football fans to be fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 before arriving at California Memorial Stadium. Cal Athletics advises people who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or are under a quarantine or isolation order to stay home.
Are masks required at California Memorial Stadium?
Cal Athletics requires fans to wear masks or facial coverings at all times in indoor spaces at California Memorial Stadium, including club levels and restrooms. The facial covering requirement applies to every Cal fan aged 2-years-old and older, whether vaccinated or not unless actively eating or drinking.
Masks or facial coverings are not mandatory in the mezzanine and other outdoor areas, including Tailgate Town at Maxwell Field. However, Cal Athletics strongly encourages fans to wear facial coverings in outdoor areas.
Are there contactless transactions or interactions available at California Memorial Stadium?
Contactless transactions, including mobile ticketing, are available at California Memorial Stadium.
Beginning 2021, Cal Athletics will distribute tickets through mobile delivery. Fans can access FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium by showing their tickets on their smartphones’ digital wallets, including Apple Wallet or the Google Pay app.
Does California Memorial Stadium and Cal Athletics have a mobile app?
Cal fans can download the California Golden Bears app from the app store on their smartphone.
The California Golden Bears app is the official Cal Athletics app.
The California Golden Bears app includes a real-time social media stream, scores, stats, play-by-play information, notifications and mobile tickets. Fans can buy, resell, transfer and access their Cal football tickets using the app.
Cal football season-ticket holders should have received an email from Cal Athletics (ato@berkeley.edu) with the subject “Your Cal Mobile Tickets Are Ready to Download.” The email includes a link for each game, which fans can tap to save the ticket onto their smartphone. Fans can then access their Cal Athletics tickets on the Apple Wallet or Google Pay app.
Can you tailgate at California Memorial Stadium?
Cal fans can tailgate before college football home games at California Memorial Stadium.
The official pre-game tailgate hosted by Cal Athletics is Tailgate Town at Maxwell Field, located next to California Memorial Stadium. Tailgate Town is free to access for the public and requires no advanced tickets. It opens three hours before kick-off at every home game.
Tailgate Town features live music, a beer garden and other family-friendly activities.
Will there be special events or giveaways at California Memorial Stadium?
Cal Athletics plans to host special events and giveaways at California Memorial Stadium for the 2021 college football season.
Is there a giveaway at California Memorial Stadium for the Cal v. Nevada college football season-opener game?
The California Golden Bears’ season-opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack is a “Gold Out” game. Cal fans are encouraged to wear gold for the evening game.
The first 10,000 fans at the California Golden Bears v. Nevada Wolf Pack season-opener game on Saturday, Sept. 4, will receive a free “swirler” flag. The first 1,000 students will also receive an exclusive fan item.
All Cal fans can get a free 2021 Cal football schedule poster and magnet at guest services and the Blue and Gold Zone on the west concourse of California Memorial Stadium.
I personally agree with these standards for entrance because it mirrors the likes of the A's and Giants in terms of practicality. For me, it's outside, has tons of space to voluntarily social distance, and most importantly will not sellout like sardines unless special circumstances arises. My approach would be different if we played in an indoor arena or if we were like Oregon or Washington where we had to worry about being packed all together. Just my two cents on it however.
Has anyone successfully transferred tickets electronically yet? My friend tried to send me one twice but it never went through.
My wife isn't super thrilled for me to attend this game (she's a Cal alum, but not a covid alum). But it's probably safer in the Bay than in Sacramento and definitely safer than my job sticking tubes into people's covid holes. And air quality should be better too.