Gameday giveaways are back as fans pack the stands. They’re a little different. A lot of arenas and stadiums are still operating at limited capacity, but they’re back nonetheless.
Recently, we wondered why more teams haven’t given out face masks to fans, since most sports venues still require masks in some capacity. A few teams have. As mask requirements are likely due to change nationwide, there are other ways to implement COVID-safe giveaways without limiting it to masks.
The Vegas Golden Knights ensured that their fans had something to remember their night at T-Mobile arena this week. They set up a full-on walk-up vaccination clinic in the arena before a game. Fans were able to receive some special team gear for getting vaccinated.
Everyone who received the vaccination ahead of the Knights game against the Minnesota Wild received a Golden Knights hat and an “exclusive sticker,” according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Other sports venues, like Dodger Stadium, operated as vaccination clinics during the initial wave of vaccine availability. But, to put a pop-up clinic inside the arena before the team actually plays, with the promise of some exclusive gear, is an entirely different thing.
This isn’t the first hockey-themed vaccine promo. The Flyers loaned their beloved mascot Gritty to a clinic in Philadelphia to dish out some special promo products.
Vegas’ effort required no appointment, as vaccines are now widely available. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more teams do this as a way to encourage vaccinations and get back to normalcy.
And if it works, well, then that just shows the power of a hat and a sticker, doesn’t it?