Safety and Security at Commonwealth Stadium

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The City of Edmonton is adopting the Government of Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program. Beginning September 20, everyone visiting a City recreation centre, arena or attraction will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recent negative test result. More information is available at Edmonton.ca/COVID-19.

Masks and face coverings are also required indoors at all City facilities. More information is available at Edmonton.ca/masks.

Welcome Back!

The health and safety of fans, employees, players and all other team personnel is our top priority.

New policies and procedures, in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Province of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, have been implemented to keep everyone safe.

COVID-19 Fan Safety

Please review these new safety policies and protocols before you arrive at the stadium.

Before You Visit

Stay home and do not enter the facility if you:

Are feeling ill and/or experiencing any of the following symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat
Have experienced any of the above symptoms in the last 10 days
Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days or been in contact with anyone who has tested positive
Have, within the last 14 days, returned home from travel outside of Canada or been in contact with someone who has travelled outside of Canada and tested positive for COVID-19
If you start to develop symptoms of COVID-19 while in a facility, please inform a stadium staff member and leave the facility immediately

Purchase Edmonton Elks Tickets Online

Learn More About Buying Edmonton Elks Tickets

Tips:

Have your ticket loaded onto your mobile device before arriving at the stadium, and have your bar code ready to be scanned on our mobile device.
Make sure your phone is fully charged.

Getting Here

Plan your transportation route to and from the stadium ahead of time. Be aware of your alternatives to arrive and depart the stadium safely.
Football Park & Ride is recommended.

Arrival Times and Gate Entrances

Enter through the gate closest to your seating section to avoid congestion on the concourse before the event. Use exterior pathways surrounding the stadium to access your assigned gates.
Gates will open 1 hour prior to game time.
Arrive early, at least 1 hr to 30 minutes before kickoff to allow for appropriate screening, entry, and locating your seat at the stadium.
Be in your seat before kickoff.

According to Alberta Health Services, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. All guests should evaluate their health prior to the event and determine the risk of increased exposure.

COVID 19- WARNING - By entering the Stadium and Stadium grounds, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID 19.

The Alberta Health Services website provides the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 in Alberta.

At the Stadium

Upon arrival at the stadium please use the entrance gate that is in the same quadrant that your seats are in.

Please stay in your seat while enjoying the event, with the exception of purchasing food and beverages, merchandise, and using the washroom. This will keep the common spaces as clear as possible and limit excess contact and movement.

Entering / Bag Check

We strongly encourage fans not to bring bags of any type, and have implemented a Clear Bag Policy in order to limit contact and speed the security screening process.

Bags, packages and containers must meet these specifications:

Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" X 12" X 6". (Official Edmonton Elks team logo clear plastic tote bags available at team store outlets or at Shop Elks).
No buckles, grommets/hardware or decor can conceal any part of the bag. It must be all clear.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (zipper bag or similar).
Small clutch bags, which cannot exceed 4.5" X 6.5" in size, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.

At Food and Beverage Concessions

Physical distancing at concession and beverage service locations will be highly encouraged.
Condiment tables, self service stations, and buffets will be closed to avoid high-touch locations.
Wrapped straws and packaged condiments will be given when ordering or available on request.
New directional signage is posted and safety barriers are in place between cashiers and fans.
Debit and credit transactions preferred to minimize contact (but cash will still be accepted if necessary).
Additional cleaning and PPE requirements are in place at all concession areas.
Avoid busy times like breaks or halftime. Where lines exist, please do not add to the congestion by getting into long lines but search out shorter concession lines.

50/50 Tickets

Purchase your 50/50 tickets from your own device to reduce contact with 50/50 sellers.
There will be roaming sellers and 4 stationery kiosks around the stadium.
Credit and debit preferred. We are going cashless to limit contact.

No Re-entry

You will no longer be permitted to re-enter the venue during the event. If the
circumstances are reasonable, one-off re-entry requests will be considered and managed
by the Security Manager and Gate Security Supervisor.

Our New Health and Safety Measures

Fan Health Promise

When buying tickets, you are required to read and accept the Fan Health Promise. In doing so, you are committing to conducting a self-assessment of signs and symptoms of Covid-19 on the day of the event for all members of your group who will be in attendance. Should anyone show signs or symptoms, they are to remain at home.

Face Coverings/Mask

Wearing a mask or face covering is required in all areas at Commonwealth Stadium, except when you are in your seats watching events.
More information is available at edmonton.ca/masks.

Some stadium staff, players, officials, security, and other personnel will be required to wear masks based on CFL health and safety, or occupational health and safety protocols and policies in place.

Enhanced Cleaning Measures

We thoroughly clean all spaces before, during and after each event at the stadium. There are enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols in place, and all areas of the stadium custodial services have undergone upgraded infection prevention and control training.

We have increased cleaning staff and surface cleaning frequency in food service areas, washrooms, elevator lobbies, entry gates, etc. and added more educational signage.

Dedicated restroom attendants will assist with continual cleaning throughout the event.

All policies are aligned with and informed by public health authorities,
medical and industry experts. We have partnered with and consult with leading subject matter experts, health officials and industry leaders in the areas of industrial hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness requirements.

Cashless

Commonwealth Stadium is going cashless to reduce points of contact between individuals at our venue. Debit and credit cards are accepted at all locations.

(If you only have cash with you it will be accepted in all locations.)

No Re-entry

Clear Bags and Items Policy

In order to reduce physical contact, we have implemented a Clear Bag Policy .

Guests with clear bags will be allowed to use our Express lanes, resulting in a faster entry.

Visit our Team Store for branded clear bags for purchase. There will be Elks merchandise tents at each gate that will have team branded clear bags available for purchase as well.

Security and Crowd Safety

The stadium employs security staff to monitor the safety of spectators that attend events at the stadium. Security is responsible for doing bag checks and random pat downs at the entry gates, monitor both prohibited and restricted items and actions, oversee the alcohol license requirements and make the stadium a safe place to come and enjoy an event.

Commonwealth Security Staff - Blue Shirts

Security staff are identified by the blue polo shirt or blue jacket depending on the weather. Security, ushering and the Edmonton Police Service work together to monitor the crowds inside the stadium and take the appropriate actions to ensure an enjoyable time for all.

Prohibited Items

Prohibited Items are determined by the facility, and are subject to change for different events. Security measures may increase for certain events.

The following items are prohibited at Commonwealth Stadium:

Weapons of any kind
Glass bottles, cans, containers with a capacity larger than 1 liter
Alcoholic beverages and outside food(exceptions may be made for medical reasons)
Drugs/narcotics
Cannabis
Umbrellas larger than 16” or with a point
Illegal substances
Explosives, fireworks, incendiary devices, smoke bombs, aerosol cans, paints, flammable liquids
Video cameras, recording devices
Professional grade cameras, tripods, selfie sticks
Pets (service animals are permitted)
Air horns, megaphones, whistles and other mechanical noise makers
Peanuts in the shell
Laser pointers/pens
Beach balls
Coolers
Bags that are not clear plastic and are larger than 12x12x6"
Unmanned aircraft systems - Drones
Pipes, rods, dowels and hockey sticks
Signs on poles or sticks or constructed of wood or metal material
Any other items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate

All prohibited items must be surrendered prior to entry to the stadium. Persons possessing any of these items may be denied entry or may be subject to removal. Persons denied entry or removed for any violation of facility rules will not be issued a refund. Due to these safety procedures, we strongly recommend early arrival to the game, event or concert.

Permitted Items

Containers or thermoses with a capacity of 1-litre or less, juice boxes
Small individual serving snacks (except peanuts in the shell)
Cigarettes/E-Cigarettes in designated areas
Still cameras (non-professional, 200 mm lens or smaller), binoculars
Small collapsible umbrellas smaller than 16” — cannot be opened inside the stadium or while sitting in the stands impeding other patron’s views
Lung powered noisemakers
Small strollers (must fold and be able to be stored safely under your seat)
Flags (on telescopic poles only)
Clear bags that are 12x12x6" and non clear bags under 4.5x6.5"
Banners and signs — signs must be handheld, event-related, in good taste and cannot obstruct another guest’s view. They may not contain commercial messages, logos or political endorsements and may not be hung off affixed stadium structures.
Costumes may be subjected to enhanced inspection. Masks are permitted only to be worn while in your assigned seat. Masks cannot be worn on the concourse or in common areas.

Re-Entry

You will no longer be permitted to re-enter the venue during Edmonton Elks games. If the
circumstances are reasonable, one-off re-entry requests will be considered and managed
by the Security Manager and Gate Security Supervisor.

Note: There is a no re-entry policy for concerts and live entertainment events.

Lost Persons

If a guest has become separated from his or her party, individuals looking for the lost guest should go directly to the information booth, located on the east and west concourse.

If you find a lost person or lose a person, feel free to ask any Commonwealth Stadium staff member for assistance, or proceed to an information booth.

Lost and Found

All lost and found items will be taken to the information desk at Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre after the event.

For questions about lost items during the event, please ask any Commonwealth Stadium staff member. To contact the information desk please phone 311.

Stadium Policies

Alcohol Policy

All guests who appear under the age of 25 will be required to show valid government-issued ID to purchase alcohol. Guests serving alcohol to minors will be subject to arrest. Alcohol may not be brought into the stadium. Guests attempting to bring alcohol into the stadium will be denied entry or removed. Any guest that is denied entry or removed for any violation of facility rules will not be issued a refund.

An alcohol policy is in effect to assist with responsible consumption. Individuals who appear to be intoxicated will be removed from the premises in a taxi or with a sober family member or a friend. Drunk and disorderly behaviour may also result in arrest and prosecution. Members of the Commonwealth Stadium staff and Edmonton Police Service are available to assist at all times and the public is asked to report any unacceptable behaviour.

Smoking and Drug Policy

Commonwealth Stadium is a non-smoking facility. Smoking tobacco, vaping and cannabis consumption in a non-designated area will result in ejection from the stadium without refund.

Any form of Cannabis consumption or possession is prohibited on Commonwealth Stadium property at all times including stadium parking lots.

Smoking (tobacco and vaping) is only permitted in designated smoking areas outside gates 3,7,8,12. Please ask Stadium staff if you require assistance.

Bag Policy

All bags are subject to inspection upon entry and are subject to additional inspections within the stadium. Please have your bag open ready for inspection before entering the gates.

We have implemented a Clear Bag Policy to reduce physical contact.

Guests with clear bags can use our Express lanes, resulting in a faster entry.

Visit our Team Store for branded clear bags for purchase. There will be Elks merchandise tents at each gate that will have team branded clear bags available for purchase as well.

For More Information

311 Contact Centre

Online	Contact 311 Online

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Telephone	311
TTY	780-944-5555