Wild, Timberwolves ready to have fans back in stands starting Monday

After a year without fans, the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Timberwolves are ready to welcome people back to their arenas.

Under state guidelines, the Wild and Timberwolves will each be allowed to host up to 3,000 fans per home game starting Monday night.

Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to be at the Timberwolves game Monday night to mark the return of fans.

As fans return, both teams are implementing several health and safety protocols along with other changes to reduce touchpoints.

Seats will be separated into pods of two or four, ticketing will be digital and even concessions are shifting to electronic ordering.

"The biggest thing is the health and safety of our fans, of our employees, of our players," said Maria Troje, the vice president of sales and service for the Wild. "We want to make sure everybody feels safe when they come to Xcel Energy Center and we feel like we are ready and prepared for that."

The Minnesota Twins will also welcome fans back to Target Field on Thursday for the club’s home opener.