Welcome Back, Wildcat Fans: UNH Sports Back at Full Capacity

UNH will welcome fans back to games this coming season with no mask, vaccination or social distancing requirements.

Last year's fall athletic season was canceled in conjunction with the America East Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association because of the pandemic. The school's Homecoming Weekend and Family Weekends were also canceled.

"We cannot express enough just how excited we are to welcome our dedicated fans back to our contests, and we know our fan base is equally eager to return," Marty Scarano, UNH director of athletics said.

Other large New England sports venues over the summer were nearly back to normal including Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester and Foxboro Stadium where the New England Revolution play their matches.  Fenway Park "strongly encouraged" its unvaccinated fans to continue wearing masks.

New Hampshire and Massachusetts do not currently have mask mandates in effect.

"Attending games and cheering for the Wildcats is a much-needed outlet for people. We will continue to work closely with President Dean and University administrators to monitor conditions and adjust our spectator guidelines as necessary," Scarano said.

UNH is prohibited by a new state law from requiring vaccinations for any students to attend class. The school also cannot require proof of vaccination to enter a facility but strongly urges all who are eligible to take the shot.

"The University will continually monitor campus and regional data to ensure safety is the No. 1 priority for all members of the community," the athletic department said in a statement.

UNH football tried to play its first spring season but only played one game due to "ongoing COVID-19 issues within the program," according to the athletic department.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH