Proof of COVID vaccination or negative test required for UW football fans

Starting Sept. 25, University of Washington (UW) Athletics will require either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result at all ticketed events.

King County to enact new vaccination requirements for restaurants, bars, outdoor events

This new vaccine verification system begins with the UW football game Saturday versus California. All attendees 12 and older will need to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event. Fans under the age of 12 are exempt from this rule.

Additionally, in accordance with state and county policies, all fans are required to wear a mask — indoors and outdoors — regardless of vaccination status, at all Husky athletics events.

King County’s own outdoor mask mandate has been in effect since Sept. 7. The statewide outdoor mask mandate issued by Gov. Inslee took effect on Sept. 18 and applies to all events with more than 500 attendees. That was in addition to Washington’s prior mask mandate, which is still in effect and requires masks in all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

The requirement for attendees to provide proof of vaccination was announced by the UW in early September, at the same time that almost all of Seattle’s professional sports franchises issued similar requirements. The Seattle Sounders, Mariners, Seahawks, Kraken, Storm, OL Reign, and Washington State University all have similar policies.

Seattle sports teams to require proof of COVID vaccination for fans

To get into Husky Stadium this Saturday, fans can show proof of vaccination or a negative test result at any of the entrances. They can also get pre-verified at satellite check stations located at Husky Ballpark, Alaska Airlines Arena, Rainier Vista, Husky Harbor, and E12.

The pre-verification method will be offered beginning four hours before kickoff. For those who opt to be pre-verified, they’ll receive a wristband after providing their proof of vaccination or a negative test. Those fans can then use a separate line to enter the stadium at the North, Northwest, West, and Southwest entrances. Anyone who gets verified directly at the entrance will not receive a wristband.