Notre Dame Stadium will be at full capacity for football season

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- The University of Notre Dame announced Wednesday the stadium will be at full capacity for the 2021 football season.

The decision to make all 77,622 seats available was made after consultation with the St. Joseph County Health Department, university officials said.

The university said it is likely outdoor game day traditions will return, including tailgating, player walk, Midnight Drummer's Circle and Football Fridays at the Eck.

They are encouraging all who attend games to be vaccinated.

By allowing all seats to be sold, the university has some flexibility if things need to change.

“The ticket office folks said it is easier for them to plan for and sell the whole stadium and then retract than to plan for partial ticket sales and ramp up. So if something were to change along the way, this is similar to what they did last season," said Mark Fox, the Deputy Health Officer for St. Joseph County.

What type of scenario would force the university to change capacity limits?

“If there were the introduction of some dramatically contagious new variant for which the vaccines are not effective that would certainly change the dynamics. Honestly I think seeing how major league baseball does this summer, as there are a number of stadiums that are at full capacity," Fox said.

This week, season ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their tickets. In mid-July, the lottery will begin for eligible participants.

Single game tickets will go on sale in August.

This will be the first season the university uses mobile ticketing.