Opening Day 2021: What you need to know before visiting Nats Park

The Washington Nationals' opening day is Thursday and due to COVID-19 safety protocols, this year will look different for fans than years past.

As the Nats take on the New York Mets at Nationals Park, with the first pitch being thrown out at 7:09 p.m., only 5,000 fans will be allowed inside for the game. After an empty stadium for the 2020 season, the stadium will be 12% full for the home opener.

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The Nationals prioritized their Season Plan Holders, so non-season ticket holders have to go through a ticket resale service such as Stubhub. Due to social distancing, fans must buy a group of tickets to form a pod and individual tickets are not being sold.

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Officials are asking fans attending the game to ask themselves some simple health questions before coming to the ballpark including:

- Have I been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19?

- Do I have a fever of 104 degrees or higher?

- Do I have any COVID-19 symptoms?

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Ballpark officials are also asking fans to stay in pods of one to six people and to socially distance themselves from others. Masks must be worn at all times unless patrons are eating or drinking.

Ticket holders will enter through color-coded gates. To ensure social distancing, everyone will be required to enter and leave through an assigned gate. All gates will open two hours before the game begins. More details can be found here.

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Cashless payments will be in place for concessions and the Nationals' retail store. No cash will be accepted for parking, ticketing, concessions or retail Fans can also download the MLB Ballpark app for mobile ordering.

The Nationals have not announced who will be throwing out the first pitch, but they have confirmed it will not be President Joe Biden.