Atlanta Braves Aim For Full Capacity At Truist Park By June

ATLANTA, GA — Good news, Braves fans. The team is hoping to reopen at full capacity by June, according to Braves Development Company CEO Mike Plant.

Plant spoke at the Cobb Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday with an update on The Battery Atlanta, Truist Park and the All Star Game. He said the team is aiming to open all 41,000 seats ahead of the game July 13.

The team announced about two weeks ago that it would reopen Truist Park at 33 percent capacity in April, and Plant said they are on track to reopen at 50 percent capacity in May.

The phased reopening is contingent on how the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, he said. Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday that the state would expand coronavirus vaccine eligibility to Georgians age 16 and older starting Thursday, which aligns with the stadium's reopening plans.

“We believe it’s probably the first global event that will take place in North America since the pandemic,” Plant said.

County officials hope the stadium's reopening, if it goes as planned, will help boost Cobb's economy following the pandemic's negative affects on it. Cobb Finance Director William Volckmann said during the meeting that the county's hotel-motel tax revenue dropped from over $3 million in 2019 to $419,000 in 2020.

The MLB provided revenue estimates to the county, saying the game could provide an economic impact of $37 million to $190 million. Plant said these numbers represented figures from the past 20 All Star games, and Cupid said the county could expect revenue on the lower end of that range.

Commissioners ultimately approved the $2 million expense for public safety and transportation costs during the multi-day events for the All Star Game, shortly after Plant's presentation.

“It will be nice to have that as a pastime and enjoy Cobb County again,” Cupid said.

SEE ALSO:

• MLB All Star Game: Cobb Commissioners OK $2M In Safety Measures
• Play Ball: Braves To Reopen At 33 Percent Seating Capacity
• Georgians 16 And Over Eligible For Vaccinations Starting Thursday