Carolina Football fans may soon be able to return in full force to games this fall.

According to a report published by Inside Carolina on Thursday, Kenan Stadium is expecting to be able to host a full capacity crowd for the upcoming 2021 season.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a crowd limited to just friends and families of the players and coaches was allowed for the beginning of the 2020 season. By the beginning of October, the venue was allowed to host a seven percent capacity crowd to align with state regulations put in place by Governor Roy Cooper.

Cooper lifted restrictions on mass outdoor gatherings and social distancing back in May.

Individuals who had already purchased season tickets for the 2020 season were allowed to roll those tickets over to the 2021 campaign.

UNC is also planning to bring back many game-day traditions such as the the Bell Tower Walk and post-game celebrations.

The Tar Heels sold out the entirety of the 2019 season — the first of head coach Mack Brown’s second tenure — and are expected to have high demand for the remaining 2021 tickets.

UNC will continue many of the safety guidelines it put in place when fans returned in a limited capacity last season, including: enhanced hygiene, disinfection and sanitation efforts, consistent public health messaging, limiting unnecessary grouping of people and limited contact transactions.

After an 8-4 season in 2020 which included the first trip to the Orange Bowl in the history of the program, UNC is expected to begin 2021 among the top 10 or 15 teams in the country and as a favorite to win the ACC Coastal Division.

Of the 22 players who started in the Orange Bowl against Texas A&M, 21 are returning to the team this season — including junior quarterback Sam Howell, who is a trendy pick to compete for the Heisman Trophy.

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