High school football fans rejoice! Football season officially kicks off this week with the McIntosh Chiefs hosting their first home game against the Luella Lions this Friday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m.

As fans head to the stands this year to watch their favorite teams, no matter the sport, they need to be aware of changes in place aimed at making their experience a safe one.

Sporting event tickets are digital for the 2020-2021 school year. All high schools are using GoFan (https://gofan.co), a digital ticketing platform, to offer a paperless, cashless, and touch-free way to purchase tickets using a credit/debit card or mobile pay option. Purchases can be made prior to the game on the GoFan website or mobile app (download for free at the Apple App Store), or at the gate using the GoFan QR scanner. Season passes are also available for purchase on GoFan.

Spectators are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings at outdoor competitions, and are required to wear them to all indoor games. The total number of fans will be limited to 50 percent of the facility’s seating capacity, and spectators must stay six feet apart from individuals and family groups. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Individuals will not be allowed in the playing areas before, during or after the game. Prepackaged concession items will be sold at football games, and restrooms will be sanitized before and after each event.

These gameday safety protocols are in alignment with guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia High School Association, and Fayette County Public Schools, and are subject to change based on modifications issued by those entities.