DeSantis Clears Gators To Open Stadium To Full Capacity: Report

MIAMI, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has given the University of Florida Gators permission to open Hard Rock Stadium to its full capacity of more than 65,000 fans.

FOX Sports radio personality Andy Slater broke the news on his Twitter account Wednesday. Citing a spokesperson for the governor, Slater said the Gators intend to allow only 13,000 in-person fans at their upcoming home game Oct. 25.

The announcement follows DeSantis' recent move to ease coronavirus restrictions statewide. Under the relaxed guidance, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are also allowed to open at full capacity.

Slater said the guidance applies to stadiums across Florida. Barring major changes to public health, the move puts Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on track to host Super Bowl LV at full capacity in February.

"We're going to be able to host the Super Bowl in February. We expect to do a full Super Bowl," DeSantis previously said, according to 24/7 Sports. "We're going to show that we're going to be able to do that."

NPR reports that Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez pushed back against DeSantis' move in late September, ordering that the county would only allow restaurants and bars to open to 100 percent capacity if they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance between tables.

Establishments unable to maintain social distance between patrons are still required to limit capacity to 50 percent, according to the report.

In an executive order Sunday, Gimenez also announced masks are still required in Miami-Dade County. Florida's statewide mask order was lifted on Sept. 25.

Miami-Dade's "New Normal" guidance is explained by sector on the county's website.