The general information I was able to find:
Current COVID-19 info
COVID-19 TICKET POLICIES & INFORMATION
Updated: August 11, 2020
Due to the uncertain nature of COVID-19, please note that athletic competition schedules are subject to change. In the event any games are canceled due to COVID-19 and not rescheduled, or if games are played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending, season ticket holders will be provided with options in response to these changes.
What happens if seasons are canceled or played without fans in attendance?
If seasons are canceled or played without fans in attendance, the Gopher Ticket Sales and Service Office will offer the following options to season ticket holders for that sport:
1. Season ticket orders may be converted to a 100% charitable donation to the Golden Gopher Fund
Fans may elect to convert any amount of their season ticket purchase or the scholarship seating portion of their order to a charitable donation. Donations will be converted to a 100% charitable gift and may be directed to the Golden Gopher Fund, which provides scholarship and program support to all Gopher student-athletes, or to the Athletics Director’s Excellence Fund, which supports the most pressing needs of the department.
RECEIVE DOUBLE POINTS: Fans that donate to one of the two funds above will receive 20 Gopher Score points per $100 donated for current year giving (traditionally 10 points per $100 donated).
By making a gift, your continued support will make a lasting impact on 675 Gopher student-athletes. Your investment will allow Gopher Athletics to provide student-athletes the necessary resources to achieve greatness.
Your charitable gift will boost your Gopher Score priority ranking and, most importantly, propel the program forward in building off of our historic 2019-20 season. As with all challenges, we know that together we will come out of this stronger. United Are We!
2. 2020-21 season ticket orders may be applied to the 2021-22 season of the same sport
3. Season ticket holders may request a 100% refund of the paid amount for the 2020-21 season
Only purchases through the University of Minnesota are subject to these policies. For purchases made through other entities, please communicate with the original point of purchase for questions on their refund and/or exchange policies. Additional information will be provided if, and when, a determination is made that results in the cancelation of specific events.
What are the deadlines to renew my season tickets?
- Football & Women’s Volleyball Renewal Deadline: Thursday, July 16
- Men’s & Women’s Hockey Renewal Deadline: To be determined
- Men’s & Women’s Basketball Renewal Deadline: To be determined
What if fans are permitted to attend and I am uncomfortable attending events during the 2020-21 athletics season but want to return in 2021-22?
Unique to the 2020-21 athletics season, fans may forgo their season tickets in the current season and renew their same seats in 2021-22. Additionally, fans who have already renewed for the 2020-21 season may request that their renewal instead be applied towards the 2021-22 season.
Fans may also elect to convert their entire season ticket purchase and the scholarship seating portion of their order to a charitable donation. Donations will be converted to a 100% charitable gift and may be directed to the Golden Gopher Fund, which provides scholarship and program support to all Gopher student-athletes, or to the Athletics Director’s Excellence Fund, which supports the most pressing needs of the department.
RECEIVE DOUBLE POINTS: Fans that donate to one of the two funds above will receive 20 Gopher Score points per $100 donated for current year giving (traditionally 10 points per $100 donated).
By making a gift, your continued support will make a lasting impact on 675 Gopher student-athletes. Your investment will allow Gopher Athletics to provide student-athletes the necessary resources to achieve greatness.
Your charitable gift will boost your Gopher Score priority ranking and, most importantly, propel the program forward in building off of our historic 2019 season. As with all challenges, we know that together we will come out of this stronger. United Are We!
Fans who take advantage of this offering should expect the following:
- Receive no season tickets for the specified 2020-21 season(s)
- If fans elect to donate the cost of their season tickets or forgo renewing completely for the 2020-21 season, they will receive a renewal application for their current seat location of the specified 2021-22 season(s)
Season Ticket Holders interested in taking advantage of this offering must complete the online form below:
REQUEST FORM
As of August 11, 2020, the Big Ten Conference has postponed the 2020-21 fall sports season. Renewed Season Ticket Holders for football & volleyball have been sent direct communication on executing their options as outlined elsewhere in these policies.
What are the current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines on fan attendance?
Based on recommendations from local health officials and guidelines in place on the state and local levels, there will be a drastic reduction in the number of spectators permitted to attend Gopher sporting events.
Current guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health specify that venues must reduce occupant capacity to no more than 1,500 (outdoor venues) and 250 (indoor venues) patrons. Our staff is committed to working closely with government officials to monitor guidelines and adjust policies as needed.
How can I support Gopher Athletics during this uncertain time?
The University of Minnesota Athletic Department supports 675 student-athletes that compete at the highest level athletically, academically, and socially. Due to the uncertain nature of COVID-19, and the fiscal constraints it has placed on the department, philanthropic support is needed now more than ever.
Visit the United Are We homepage to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact on Gopher student-athletes→
How does the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act impact giving to Gopher Athletics?
This Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 to address the current health and financial crisis.
New Charitable Tax Deduction - Donors may deduct up to $300 in charitable gifts on their 2020 tax return even if they do not itemize deductions. This deduction is available for cash gifts to public charities. Stock gifts or gifts to donor advised funds do not qualify.
Example: A taxpayer who takes the standard deduction and makes a $300 cash gift to a public charity in 2020 may claim the $300 deduction in calculating their adjusted gross income. The deduction is in addition to the taxpayer’s standard deduction.
Cap On Annual Contributions Lifted - Contributions to public charities are generally limited to a percentage of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI). The new law lifts the cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, increasing it from 60% to 100% of AGI for 2020. Any excess contributions can be carried forward over the next five years. For corporations, the new law raises the annual limit from 10% to 25% of taxable income.
Change to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - RMDs from retirement accounts are temporarily suspended. Donors who would otherwise have to take their RMD do not have to do so for the 2020 tax year. Donors who are age 70 ½ can still make a tax-advantaged qualified charitable distribution from an IRA to charity and avoid the income tax that would otherwise be due on the distribution.
For more information about making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA, please contact the Golden Gopher Fund at (612) 626-4653 or
[email protected].
When can I upgrade my season ticket location?
Seat upgrades and adjustment have been suspended for all 2020-21 fall and winter sports seasons. Additional information on upgrades and seat adjustments will be available with season ticket renewals for 2021-22.
When will single game tickets be available for purchase?
All single game ticket on-sale timelines are to be determined for the 2020-21 season. Additional information will be made available in advance of any single game tickets going on sale.
Is the Gopher Ticket Sales and Service Office open?
Staff members of the Gopher Ticket Sales and Service Office are working remotely due to campus restrictions around COVID-19. We are available to assist Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm CST, via email (
[email protected]) and by phone (1-800-U-GOPHER).
If you are reaching us by phone, you will be prompted to leave a voicemail. One of our representatives will call you back within our normal hours of operation.
