MLB season 2021: Which teams will have fans in the stands on Opening Day?

As Opening Day of the 2021 MLB season approaches on Thursday, April 1, fans across the country will soon return to their home teams' ballparks -- in most cases for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

But there will be limitations -- particularly when it comes to capacity -- that won't be uniform across the league. State and local governments will have a lot of say in determining how many fans can safely attend live sporting events (if any), figures that have already been changing frequently with fluctuations in the spread of COVID-19 and vaccination rates.

Last season, all regular-season games and most postseason contests were played in front of empty stands. During the National League Championship Series and World Series, both held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, fans were allowed to attend in limited numbers representing about 28% of the stadium's full capacity.

Here's the latest on what we know about the plans and protocols for each of the 30 MLB teams and their state and local governments for their season openers and beyond.

We'll keep this file updated as more details become available.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chase Field

Home opener: April 9 vs. Reds

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 20,000 (about 42% capacity)

What you need to know: The Diamondbacks announced an increase of 8,000 fans earlier this week, days after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey lifted most of the state's remaining COVID-19 restrictions. Additional tickets will go on sale Friday morning; the team said tickets for the home opener at the initial capacity of 12,000 sold out in two hours. In a statement, D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall wrote: "As we continue to see the key measurements improve throughout the state and the restrictions lifted on businesses, we feel very comfortable that we can permit additional fans to enjoy D-backs baseball while still providing a safe and comfortable environment. We will continue to require masks and ask fans to distance appropriately while keeping all other policies in place to start the season."

Atlanta Braves

Truist Park

Home opener: April 9 vs. Phillies

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 13,500 (33% capacity)

What you need to know: The Braves will allow fans to attend games at 33% capacity through their first homestand. Capacity will be re-evalauated for each following homestand.

"After a long and difficult year, we are excited to welcome Braves fans back to Truist Park beginning on April 9th." Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller said in a statement. "Baseball has had a healing affect over the course of our history, and we look forward to being a place where our fans can come, have fun and enjoy cheering on their favorite team in a welcoming environment."

Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Home opener: April 8 vs. Red Sox

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 11,000 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared on March 9 that large venues can operate at 50%, but the Orioles chose to begin the season with half that capacity in order to ensure social distancing. The team is implementing pod seating and digital ticketing, is prohibiting bags and cash, and is outlawing autographs, protocols in line with most teams.

Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Orioles

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 4,500 (12% capacity)

What you need to know: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Feb. 25 that the state would enter into Phase 4 of its reopening plan in late March, which would allow the Red Sox to operate at 12% capacity by the start of April. Fenway Park will stop functioning as a mass vaccination site before then. The team began selling tickets March 25.

Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Pirates

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,000 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Cubs and White Sox made a dual presentation to the city of Chicago and state of Illinois proposing 30% capacity to start the season. They got approval for 20% on March 8, which was later bumped to 25%.

Chicago White Sox

Guaranteed Rate Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Royals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 9,000 (22% capacity)

What you need to know: The Sox and Cubs requested 30% capacity but were approved for only 20%, a figure that was increased later to 25%. The Sox have currently landed at 22% for their opener and will have seating pods from one to six fans, numerous hand sanitizing stations around the park and will prohibit bags except for small clutch purses, medical bags or diaper bags when infants are present.

Cincinnati Reds

Great American Ballpark

Home opener: April 1 vs. Cardinals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 12,700 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Reds are allowing 30% capacity to start the season with typical social distancing measures in place, including smaller pod seating, contactless forms of payment and a mask mandate, unless actively eating or drinking. Backpacks will be banned, as well.

Cleveland Indians

Progressive Field

Home opener: April 5 vs. Royals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,500 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Indians are allowing 30% capacity to start the season and will work month to month on increasing max attendance. Season-ticket holders will get priority access to ducats in pods of two or four. Usual social distancing measures will be implemented in addition to cashless transactions. Gates will open one hour before first pitch.

Colorado Rockies

Coors Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Dodgers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 21,363 (42.6% capacity)

What you need to know: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment originally approved a 25% capacity (12,500 fans) at Coors Field beginning on Opening Day, but that figure was upped to 42.6% on March 9.

"We couldn't be happier to be inviting Rockies fans back into Coors Field," said Rockies COO Greg Feasel. "It took a lot of hard work from a lot of people, and we thank the State of Colorado, the City and County of Denver, and their health officials, along with MLB for partnering with us to ensure that our thorough and detailed plan complies with all health and safety measures."

Detroit Tigers

Comerica Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Indians

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,200 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: For a time, the Tigers were allowed to have more fans -- 2,000 -- at their spring training site in Florida than would be allowed (1,000) in Detroit. But the state recently announced that it would permit a 20% capacity on Opening Day.

"We truly appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Governor's office and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. We are thrilled to safely welcome back the best fans in baseball to Comerica Park for Opening Day and beyond," said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings. "As the season progresses, we look forward to continued coordination with public health and medical experts, government officials and Major League Baseball to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all Detroit Tigers fans."

Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park

Home opener: April 8 vs. A's

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 20,500 (50% capacity)

What you need to know: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on March 2 that lifted the state's mask mandate and allowed all businesses and facilities to open at 100%. That gave the Astros the ability to welcome fans at full capacity to begin the season, but the team landed on no more than 50% capacity for games in April.

Kansas City Royals

Kauffman Stadium

Home opener: April 1 vs. Rangers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,000 (30% capacity)

What you need to know: The Royals will start the season allowing 30% capacity, with plans to increase attendance monthly. Season-ticket holders were given priority access to tickets, while the general public got their chance to purchase them for the first month of the season beginning March 24. Kauffman Stadium has been reconfigured for pod-style seating.

Los Angeles Angels

Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Home opener: April 1 vs. White Sox

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 14,800 (33% capacity)

What you need to know: Two days before Opening Day, Orange County moved into the even less-restrictive Orange tier, allowing the Angels to increase their originally planned 20% capacity. The team promptly began selling an additional 5,000 tickets per game for their 12 April home dates. The Orange tier is based on a new COVID-19 case rate of less than four per 100,000 residents and a test positivity rate below 5%. The next tier, Yellow, allows for a 67% capacity.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium

Home opener: April 9 vs. Nationals

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Between 13,000 and 14,000 (roughly 24% capacity)

What you need to know: In one month, L.A. County's dwindling COVID-19 rate allowed it to move from the Purple tier to the Red tier to, as of Tuesday, the Orange tier, the latter of which allows large venues to operate at 33% capacity. The Dodgers, however, will fall slightly below that in order to adhere to state-mandated distancing requirements. Single-game tickets for all April games except Opening Day will go on sale Friday. The Dodgers spent more than $100 million renovating their stadium ahead of the 2020 season and have been eagerly anticipating fan entry ever since. The Dodgers' new policies require clear bags and don't allow smoking on the premises.

Miami Marlins

loanDepot park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Rays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 9,200 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Marlins are allowing 25% capacity to begin the season, with digital-only access to tickets. Free-flow parking will be instituted to allow contactless payments. Ticket holders will have a time and gate for entry into the ballpark with usual social distancing guidelines being adhered to. Mobile, preordered food from concession stands will be allowed to reduce lines in the concourse.

Milwaukee Brewers

American Family Field

Home opener: April 1 vs. Twins

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,475 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: The Brewers are allowing 25% capacity beginning on Opening Day. They hope to "work toward increasing the capacity if the health metrics continue to improve," according to Brewers president of business operations Rich Schlesinger. Usual social distancing practices will be implemented, including "right way" walking through the concourse. Attendees can only watch the game from their assigned seats, while congregating near the first two rows of the field is prohibited.

Minnesota Twins

Target Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Mariners

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 10,000 (25% capacity)

What you need to know: "The Minnesota Twins organization is thrilled that the new state guidelines announced today by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) pave the way for the safe return of our fans to Target Field for the upcoming 2021 season, beginning with our April 8 home opener," the Twins said in a March 12 statement.

New York Mets

Citi Field

Home opener: April 8 vs. Marlins

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,400 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced March 18 that the Mets and Yankees have been given the the green light to welcome fans at 20% capacity to begin the 2021 regular season. Per state guidelines, staff and spectators must receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of an event -- or provide proof of vaccination -- in order to attend.

New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium

Home opener: April 1 vs. Blue Jays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 10,850 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: The Yankees, in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health, announced that they would open the season at 20% capacity. The team also said it hopes to expand capacity -- and end COVID testing (see Mets entry above) -- in early May.

"The entire Yankees organization -- and especially our players on the field -- feed off the energy that our loyal and dedicated fans bring to Yankee Stadium," Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "Our fans have made our home a preeminent worldwide attraction, and their excitement is the catalyst for the championship goals we set every season. We are thrilled to be able to have them back in 2021 and promise them the highest standards for health and safety this season and beyond."

Oakland Athletics

Oakland Coliseum

Home opener: April 1 vs. Astros

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 12,200 (26% capacity)

What you need to know: Alameda County moved into the Orange tier earlier this week, but the A's can't adhere to the state's social-distancing mandates with pods of two and four at 33% capacity. Instead, the A's will begin the season at 26% capacity, allowing for nearly 3,000 more fans per game. The team was able to open up additional view-level seats, which sold out quickly for Opening Day.

Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Braves

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,600 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: Seating pods at 20% capacity will be for two, three or four people, with limited pods available for five or six. Only tickets for the first 19 games, through early May, will be available initially. Tickets for the rest of the home schedule will go on sale in early April with a hope to increase attendance by then. All areas of the ballpark accessed by fans will be cleaned and disinfected before, during and after each game by a newly created "Clean Team" utilizing processes and products approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, specifically for use against COVID-19. Hand sanitizing stations also will be widely available.

Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park

Home opener: April 8 vs. Cubs

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Maximum of 7,600 (about 20% capacity)

What you need to know: PNC Park will allow for 20% capacity, but that includes everyone inside the stadium -- including employees. The Pirates have yet to announce how many fans will be part of that 20%. Usual social distancing and pod seating protocols will be part of the guidelines when they are announced.

San Diego Padres

Petco Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Diamondbacks

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,000 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: San Diego County recently moved into California's less-restrictive Red tier, officially giving the Padres the ability to host fans at 20% capacity. Season-ticket holders will receive priority access to games, the Padres announced. The Padres have yet to announce detailed health-and-safety protocols.

San Francisco Giants

Oracle Park

Home opener: April 9 vs. Rockies

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 8,250 (20% capacity)

What you need to know: San Francisco is currently operating in California's Red tier, which, under the new mandates from the governor, would give the Giants the ability to host fans at 20% capacity. "In the coming days," the team said March 12, "the Giants will submit our operational plans for review and approval by the local health officials and we eagerly look forward to safely welcoming fans back to Oracle Park."

Seattle Mariners

T-Mobile Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Giants

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 9,000 (roughly 20% capacity)

What you need to know: The Mariners received approval from the state of Washington and King County on March 12 to host fans at about 20% capacity. As part of their extensive health-and-safety protocols, the team has detailed an enhanced cleaning system to help curb the spread of COVID-19 at T-Mobile Park, utilizing, among other things, an ionized air purification system in indoor spaces.

St. Louis Cardinals

Busch Stadium

Home opener: April 8 vs. Brewers

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 14,600 (32% capacity)

What you need to know: The Cardinals are allowing 32% capacity to begin the season. Social distancing rules will apply, with pod seating of four or fewer fans. Cashless transactions and mobile ticketing will be required by those wishing to attend. There will be six designated entry and exit gates, with no reentry allowed. Only medical or diaper bags will be allowed in the ballpark. Season-ticket holders were given the first opportunity to secure tickets to the first two homestands.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tropicana Field

Home opener: April 9 vs. Yankees

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 9,000 (roughly 20% capacity)

What you need to know: In an effort to ensure socially distant seating, the Rays previously scrapped their traditional season-ticket locations and unveiled a model that allows fans to choose from six "season membership" levels. The team placed single-game tickets on sale March 26.

"We are excited to welcome back fans to Tropicana Field for the 2021 season," Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. "Although capacity will be limited to start, we are hopeful that conditions will continue to improve, allowing for more fans to join us as the season progresses."

Texas Rangers

Globe Life Field

Home opener: April 5 vs. Blue Jays

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 40,518 (100% capacity)

What you need to know: The Rangers, who hosted fans at Globe Life Field for two postseason rounds in October, limiting capacity to roughly 11,000 fans (less than 30% capacity), announced March 10 that they would be at full capacity for their final two exhibition games this spring -- and on Opening Day. Subsequent games will see reduced capacity to accommodate socially distanced seating options. Despite Gov. Abbott's lifting of the state's mandatory mask policy, masks will be required for fans at the ballpark.

"We will require all those who enter Globe Life Field to wear a mask or face covering, and are working with Major League Baseball on some additional protocols required for player health and safety," Rangers COO Neil Leibman said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor developments and implement the necessary public health measures. We are excited that Rangers fans will finally be able to experience all that Globe Life Field has to offer."

Toronto Blue Jays

TD Ballpark (Dunedin, Florida)

Home opener: April 8 vs. Angels

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? Approximately 1,275 (15% capacity)

What you need to know: The Jays will play at least their first three homestands at their spring training facility because of Canadian government restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. Capacity will be limited to 15% at their renovated facility, which seats 8,500 under normal circumstances. Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said Feb. 18 that the team might move back to Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York (where the Jays played the majority of their home games last season), around June to avoid the heat and humidity in Florida. The hope is that the Blue Jays will then return to Rogers Centre in Toronto for the second half of the season.

Washington Nationals

Nationals Park

Home opener: April 1 vs. Mets

Fans allowed on Opening Day? Yes

How many? 5,000 (approximately 12% capacity)

What you need to know: When the Nats were approved to open their ballpark this season by the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, no fans were allowed -- at first. Then, city government gave the Nats permission to host 5,000 fans on Opening Day. Meanwhile, the team said it would begin talks aiming to increase capacity starting on April 15. Seats will be available in pods of up to six, masks will be required and food, drink and team store purchases will be cashless.

"To me, it seems obvious we can have fans. If we can have indoor dining, I think we can have fans in an outdoor stadium," Nats ace Max Scherzer said.