Phoenix Suns to double attendance limit to 3,000 fans on Tuesday

The Phoenix Suns are doubling the number of fans allowed inside Phoenix Suns Arena for the team’s home games.

The team will start allowing 3,000 fans to attend home games, starting with the team’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 16, according to a team press release on Wednesday.

The team previously allowed 1,500 fans to attend home games in two- or four-person pods. That began with health care workers on Sunday and ticketed fans on Monday, continuing with three more home games until the Nets game.

Suns GM James Jones told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday that the players have received a boost from having fan support once again.

“It’s definitely been a welcome change,” Jones said. “I know that our fans are excited to be back, I know our players are excited to have our fans back. And I can say that it’s been a real shot in the arm for our group, going in to these last two games.

“Especially the Cleveland game. Coming off of a back-to-back, our guys were dragging a little bit. But to have our fans and the guy’s to have their families in the building, you could just see how much of a difference it makes, when you’re talking about a fourth quarter and having a home court advantage.”

The Suns played their first game in front of fans on Sunday, when they allowed a limited number of healthcare workers and their families to attend the team’s 100-91 win over the Boston Celtics.

The increased capacity allows for additional pods of that size in the arena’s upper level, combined with a small number of floor seat pods near the court.

Ticket sales for the additional seating areas go on sale on Thursday, with season-ticket holders having priority access to tickets. Some floor seating pods will go on sale on Friday morning.

All fans that purchase tickets must wear masks at all times and are not allowed to eat or drink while in the floor area, which is more than 10 feet from the sidelines, according to the release.

All floor seat ticket holders must follow COVID-19 testing protocols set up by the team and the NBA in general, with testing information given out to those that purchase tickets.

All attendees must fill out a “fan promise,” which is an online questionnaire about COVID-19 symptoms and exposure that will be made available on the Suns app.

All tickets for games will be paperless and grab-and-go concessions will be available for purchase via the Suns app, which fans can load up like a prepaid card.

“This limited accommodation is in accordance with guidelines provided by the Center for Disease Control, the NBA and Arizona Department of Health Services, and the undertaking includes numerous steps taken by the Suns working with medical experts to ensure fans have a fun and safe experience,” the team said in the release.

Follow @cgboan