CORAL GABLES, Fla. — A limited number of University of Miami football fans will be able to attend the season opener next month, but students won't be among them.
School President Julio Frenk announced Friday that students will not be permitted to attend the Sept. 10 opening game against UAB, as well as the Sept. 26 game against rival Florida State.
"Recent announcements that the Atlantic Coast Conference would move forward with competition this fall and that fans would be allowed at Hard Rock Stadium were met with enormous excitement," Frenk said in a message to fans. "But they have also raised important questions and concerns given the COVID-19 pandemic."Frenk said the school "will continue to evaluate" whether students will be allowed at home games later in the season.
"As disappointing as this is to all of us, especially the students, this is the prudent course of action at this time, as we continue to prioritize health and safety on campus above all else," Frenk said.
Frenk also said there will be no alcohol sold during home games this season.
"Alcohol impairs the ability to make rational decisions and has been shown to dampen immunity," Frenk said. "We all look forward to the day when we can engage socially at games as we always have, but that day has not yet arrived."
The Miami Dolphins, who also play at Hard Rock Stadium, said Monday that a maximum of 13,000 fans will be allowed at home games in September. The same number of fans will be allowed to attend the Hurricanes' home opener against the Blazers.