GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Bridgestone Arena, the host venue for the 2021 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Nashville, Tenn. recently announced new health and safety protocols that will impact fans attending the October 30, 2021 event. These new protocols include the requirement that all guests aged 12 and over must show a recent negative COVID-19 test result OR proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination for entry into the arena. Originals, photos, and photo copies of test results and vaccination cards will be accepted as long as they match the ticket holder's ID. All fans attending the event should be prepared to provide ID at the point of entry as a part of the event's entry process.    

Antigen or PCR COVID-19 tests must be administered by a healthcare professional within 72 hours of the date of the game, and the results must include the guest's name and testing date on the results page. Fans attending the event on Saturday, October 30, 2021 may begin testing as early as Wednesday, October 27, 2021 to comply with the 72-hour event testing requirement. Those seeking to enter Bridgestone Arena with proof of vaccination must present proof of a full vaccination, defined as two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, plus two weeks of time to be considered fully vaccinated. Potential vaccine booster shots are not part of the fully vaccinated definition outlined by Bridgestone Arena and are not a consideration for the October 30 event.   

University of North Dakota's Fritz Pollard Athletic Center (formerly known as the UND High Performance Center) is currently open weekdays Monday – Friday from 7-11am and offers free rapid Antigen tests and PCR tests to the general public. Visit grandforksgov.com/government/city-departments/public-health/covid-19 for more information on testing and vaccinations currently offered in Grand Forks.

While not yet confirmed, event organizers for the Hall of Fame Game in Nashville are also working to try and secure on-site rapid testing in Nashville for the days immediately leading up to event. Event producers also plan to provide detailed testing information for community testing options in Nashville as the event draws near in an attempt to provide fans with a full menu of options for testing opportunities in Nashville.  

Guests under the age of 12 will be permitted to enter Bridgestone Arena if they wear a mask inside the venue at all times, OR if they present negative COVID-19 antigen (rapid) or PCR test results. The full list of Bridgestone Arena policies and protocols can be found at bridgestonearena.com/bridgestone-arena-protocols. 

At the current time, Bridgestone Arena is also recommending all event attendees wear masks inside Bridgestone Arena, except when those guests are actively eating or drinking. This is not a mandate at the current time, but rather, a recommendation. As with anything related to the current pandemic, venue protocols are subject to change based on local conditions at the time of the event.

"We are aware of Bridgestone Arena's decision to add testing or vaccine protocols for entry and we're going to try and help our fans comply with these new protocols as best we can," said Ralph Engelstad Arena General Manager Jody Hodgson. "We will continue to update fans as the event draws near and we'll make changes to the event plan as necessary as conditions on the ground in Nashville evolve, but none of the recent protocol changes impact our thoughts on whether or not we still plan to go to Nashville. We're going".

At the current time, there are no COVID-19 restrictions for entry to Wildhorse Saloon for the North Dakota Party at the Wildhorse Saloon on Friday, October 29, 2021, nor are there any entry restrictions for the Official Pregame Party on Saturday, October 30, 2021 outdoors in Walk of Fame Park.

"Nashville has one of the highest percentages of vaccinated individuals in the state of Tennessee as approximately 54% of Nashville residents are now fully vaccinated and approximately 60% have received one dose. These figures are about 10% higher than the state's overall vaccination rate," said Hodgson. "Vaccination rates in Nashville and throughout the state of Tennessee have picked up exponentially in last few weeks".

Follow Ralph Engelstad Arena social media and visit theralph.com/nashville for event updates, hotel reservations and flight information as the event draws near.

Penn State students and staff can learn about vaccination and testing options at virusinfo.psu.edu. Other Penn State fans located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can learn about vaccination and testing options at the PA Department of Health's COVID-19 website health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.

Those with specific questions about access to Bridgestone Arena should contact the Bridgestone Arena Guest Experience at (615) 770-2355 or predators@nashvillepredators.com for more information.