LA Rams: Masks mandate may incentivize eating SoFi food

Is this a new marketing ploy to get fans to purchase overpriced food and drink at SoFi Stadium? Of course not. It’s simply the LA Rams organization following the regulations and guidelines of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as per the revised order issued on August 17, 2021, which impacts outdoor mega-events (defined as any outdoor event with an attendance of 10,000 persons or greater). This is the first revision to the LA Rams attendance policy so far this year.

The new guidelines were revealed on social media yesterday by the LA Rams. More details and information is available on the LA Rams website, thanks to staff writer Stu Jackson.

The measures taken are likely in response to the recent surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant, which has proven to be more contagious and vaccine-resistant than earlier strains of the coronavirus.

The official message on the official therams.com website reads as follows:

"“In alignment with a revised order issued today by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on outdoor mega events (10,000 or more attendees), fans will be required to wear masks in seats and in all locations inside SoFi Stadium – except when actively eating or drinking – regardless of vaccination status, beginning with this Saturday’s preseason home game against the Raiders.The Rams will continue to follow public health guidelines to keep attendees safe. The Rams also remind fans to please stay home if they feel sick or have close contact with someone who has COVID-19.” – per Stu Jackson of therams.com"

There is additional guidance on the website regarding Mobile ticketing, the recommended time of arrival, and the clear bag policy. Even if you are familiar with the policies, please be sure to check them once again to confirm that nothing has been changed and that you are familiar with all of the current rules and guidelines.

As a side note, we recently published an article describing some widespread disappointment over the food service at SoFi Stadium in the first preseason game. Since this new mask policy exempts persons who are actively eating or drinking, we immediately thought of how effective this would be as a marketing tool for the concessions at preseason and regular-season games. And to be honest, we weren’t the only ones to think that way:

So what is the cost of temporarily removing your mask? Is it worth a $6 bottle of water? How many beers will fans consume at the stadium? Or will it simply be a constant stream of peanuts and or sunflower seeds? Does this rule change make you rethink attending the game? If you stay home, you can replicate your SoFi experience in a number of ways:

I How to tailgate for game day,
II How to set up your living room to watch the game,
III How to get a SoFi experience in your own home.

While many will comply, some will likely seek ways to avoid the mandate. However this rule change strikes you, please consider your own health and safety, the health and safety of those seated around you, and the family and friends who depend on you to remain healthy. In the end, defiance and direction must yield to kindness and compassion. In whatever direction you see fit to interpret that is up to you.

But for now, mask up folks! At least when you attend the games at SoFi Stadium.