Canadian Premier League opens The Kickoff matches to 2,000 fully vaccinated fans

The Canadian Premier League is set to have up to 2,000 fans cheering on from the stands at IG Field for its Kickoff event matches, though only fully vaccinated fans will be allowed to attend.
The Valour FC and the Canadian Premier League announced on Monday that up to 2,000 physically distanced fans will be allowed at each of The Kickoff matches starting July 7. The soccer club said this will be about six per cent of IG Field's capacity.
“We are encouraged by this first step in being able to welcome fans back to IG Field,” said Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club, said in a news release. “It will be great for soccer fans in our province to be able to get out and cheer on their Valour FC and the Canadian Premier League.”
Valour FC said only fully vaccinate fans will be allowed at the games, and must present their physical or digital Manitoba Immunization Card to enter the stadium. The club said fans will be in 'pod seating' and will be distanced from other groups.
Fans who are buying alcoholic beverages will also be required to buy food as well.
Miller said they are expecting the capacity will increase 'dramatically' as more people are vaccinated in Manitoba.
Winnipeg was chosen by the Canadian Premier League as the hub city for The Kickoff event, which started on Saturday. The 32-game event is set to end on July 24.
The club said the matches are managed by the Canadian Premier League, and are not normal Valour FC home matches.
Valour FC season ticket holders will have first crack at the tickets for The Kickoff event matches, set to be sold on a per-match basis starting on Monday, July 5, at 10 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
18 children, 3 adults killed in Texas elementary school shooting
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 18 children, officials said, and the gunman was dead. The death toll also included three adults, according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he was briefed by state police on the fatalities.

Biden says 'we have to act' after Texas school shooting
An anguished and angry U.S. President Joe Biden called for new restrictions on firearms Tuesday night after a gunman massacred 18 children at a Texas elementary school.
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
U.S. senator begs for gun compromise after Texas shooting
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who came to Congress representing Sandy Hook, begged his colleagues to finally pass legislation addressing the nation's gun violence problem as the latest school shooting unfolded Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
RCMP suspend flights at Victoria International Airport after suspicious package discovered
Travellers who have a flight planned at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday afternoon are being warned of travel disruptions due to police activity.
Many Ontario residents could be waiting several days for power after storm
Provincial provider Hydro One said Tuesday afternoon that more than 142,000 customers in parts of Ontario were still without power after a devastating weekend storm.
Society 'may not survive' Putin's war, says billionaire George Soros
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have marked the start of "a third world war," and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be defeated "as soon as possible" if the world wants to preserve civilization, said billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.
Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard denies rape allegations at sex assault trial
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has emphatically denied raping a teenager and a young woman nearly six years ago, testifying Tuesday that both encounters were consensual and "passionate."
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.