Jacksonville, Fla. — Hundreds of fans from across the country filed into Daily’s Place Thursday for the first live sporting event in Jacksonville since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. All Elite Wrestling hosted the live audience at a 10% capacity inside the amphitheater, which can seat up 5,500 people.
The company required fans to wear masks, guests had their temperature scanned prior to entry, and seating was spread out in pods in groups of two, three, four, and six to keep families and friends together. AEW said going forward, a maximum crowd of 15 percent capacity will be allowed for all live events at Daily’s Place as long as safety protocols are followed.
The event attracted fans from all over. Christopher Parkhurst said he flew in from Los Angeles. “Very excited. I’ve been waiting for the first wrestling event to be announced and once they released the tickets, I purchased them right away,” Parkhurt said. Kristen Johnson and Erica Jones said they made the seven-hour drive from Piedmont, Alabama to Jacksonville for the live-action. “we just really love wrestling,” Johnson said.
For many, this was their first time attending a live sporting event in months. Zoe Pastor said she couldn’t miss the match taking place right in her own backyard. “I jumped out of my seat. I told pop I was like, ‘there’s a wrestling event and we have to go,’” Zoe Pastor said. Bobby Pastor said he had a hard time getting tickets. “The tickets were sold out in five minutes,” Mr. Pastor said. Zoe Pastor said the live event brings back some sense of normalcy. “On a TV, you can’t feel the energy of the crowd. The music pumps you up. It’s just the energy is unmatched,” Zoe said.
Cox Media Group
