TCU has become known for its tailgating scene before football games at Amon G. Carter Stadium over the years, but that won’t be part of gameday rituals in 2020.

Among the many COVID-19 protocols TCU announced for its home football games this season is prohibiting tailgating.

“In order to provide the safest environment for fans to enjoy TCU football this fall, tailgating will be prohibited in all lots and spaces,” the school posted on its website. “An uncontrolled tailgating environment could jeopardize the opportunity for fans to attend home games and safely host the 2020 football season.”

Other measures the school will implement include limiting capacity to 12,000 fans in the 46,000-seat stadium and requiring all fans to wear face coverings. TCU is scheduled to play six home games this year, including the season-opener against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 12.

In an email to season ticket holders announcing the changes, TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati wrote: “The one constant is that the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff, fans, and community continue to be, and will always be, our top priority.”

The state of Texas is allowing outdoor sports venues such as Amon G. Carter Stadium to host up to 50% capacity. TCU, as well as other schools such as Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech, have announced capacity limits closer to 25%, though, to better implement social distancing measures.

As far as tickets, TCU said each season ticket account — based on priority rank within the Horned Frogs Priority Points System — will be assigned a selection date and time to log into their online account and select the seats they want. This re-seating plan is only for the 2020 season.

The maximum number of tickets allowed per season ticket account will be four. If fans are not interested in attending home games this season, TCU is allowing them to use their payment as a credit for the 2021 season or tickets for other sporting events; converting the purchase into a tax-deductible donation for double priority points; or receiving a full refund.

Here’s a list of other actions TCU is taking to ensure a safe environment this fall amid the pandemic:

▪ Mobile-only ticketing that provides a no contact ticketing environment

▪ Staggered entrance times and gates to reduce clustering

▪ Social distancing markers at gates, concessions and restrooms

▪ Hand sanitizing stations located throughout the stadium

▪ Elevators will operate under state mandates of no more than four passengers and an operator

▪ Cashless concessions and merchandise transactions will be in place

▪ Multiple clean teams will continually clean common areas during the event

▪ Staff will be screened prior to entering the facility

This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 10:26 AM.

Drew Davison

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Drew Davison was a TCU and Big 12 sports writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram until 2022. He covered everything in DFW from Rangers to Cowboys to motor sports.