While Oregon governor Kate Brown announced during a press conference on Thursday afternoon the state will begin reopening in phases, she also delivered the news that sporting events with large crowds will not return anytime soon — and that could impact Ohio State’s scheduled Sept. 12 trip to Eugene.
Oregon Health Authority advising than any large gathering in the state through at least September, including sporting events, should be cancelled or significantly modified.
— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) May 7, 2020
“There is some difficult news to share. Large gatherings, including live sporting events with audiences, concerts, festivals and conventions, will not be able to return until we have a reliable treatment or prevention like a vaccine,” Brown said. “The Oregon Health Authority is advising that any large gathering, at least through September, should be canceled or significantly modified.”
The first meeting between the Buckeyes and Ducks since the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship is widely considered to be one of the biggest games of the upcoming season, with both teams expected to be ranked in the top five. And while no determination has been made on the game itself, there’s a good chance it will be played without 60,000-plus fans filling Auzten Stadium, known as one of the loudest and most-intimidating venues in college football.
Brown’s announcement comes the same day Ohio governor Mike DeWine announced a date to reopen barbershops, salons and day spas in the state, as well as a plan for reopening restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating. He has not yet implemented a plan for sporting events, but recently said he could see “baseball being played this summer in Cleveland and Cincinnati” with proper social distancing protocols or without fans.
That said, there are still more than four months until Ohio State’s game at Oregon. And thought it’s possible the suggested restrictions are lessened between now and then, you might want to put your travel plans on hold for now.
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