Brewers And City Announce Fans Will Return To The Ballpark

MILWAUKEE, WI — Miller Park recently changed its name to American Family Field, and on Thursday the Brewers announced actual families will be present at games this season.

In a press release, the Brewers said City of Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson has approved a plan to begin the season with 25-percent of total capacity at the ballpark, which holds 41,900. The Brewers did not allow any fans during the abbreviated 2020 season.

The Brewers are scheduled to play their home opener at 1:10 p.m. on April 1, against the Minnesota Twins.

"This is an exciting day for us, as well as for our fans and partners who know we are eager to return to American Family Field," said Rick Schlesinger, president of team operations for the Milwaukee Brewers. "Our players repeatedly say the Brewers fans bring phenomenal energy to the game and are the critical piece to the ballpark atmosphere.

"We appreciate the cooperation of Commissioner Johnson and her staff as they reviewed our detailed plan to safely allow fans to watch the Brewers in person. Approval of the plan also allows us to bring much-needed jobs for members of our event staff and game-day workforce."

Schlesinger said the Brewers and city officials will have ongoing discussions about increasing capacity if health metrics continue to improve.

The Brewers said season ticket holders and suite holders will be contacted in the next week about their options for attending games. Information about individual game tickets will be announced at a later date. However, the organization said tailgating at American Family Field has not been approved to begin the season.

The last Major League Baseball game in Milwaukee to have fans was Sept. 22, 2019, a Brewers win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last season, the Milwaukee Milkmen, who play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, did have fans at Franklin Field in Franklin. According to the Journal Sentinel, the Milkmen spent much of the season selling tickets at 35-percent capacity of each section, but eventually were allowed to have 50-percent capacity at their 4,000 seat stadium.