IRVING, Texas – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced that the conference will provide a number of complimentary tickets to vaccinated frontline health care workers for the 2021 Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Women’s and Men’s Basketball Championship next week at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tickets will be allocated each day on a single-session basis to healthcare workers who provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a matching identification at the Dickies Arena box office. The women’s basketball championship takes place Monday, March 8, through Thursday, March 11, while the men’s championship begins Thursday, March 11, and runs through Sunday, March 14.

“We are honored to extend this invitation to our healthcare workers, who have been selfless and tireless in their efforts against the global pandemic,” said Aresco. “We are in their debt for their service and proud to recognize the importance of vaccination and safety measures as we continue to make progress in the fight against the coronavirus. I would also like to thank Matt Homan and his staff at Dickies Arena for their cooperation and support with this initiative.”

More than 200 tickets will be available for each session for eligible vaccinated healthcare workers and their guests. All guests who accompany a healthcare worker must present proof of vaccination as well in order to receive a complimentary ticket. Healthcare workers will be seated in a dedicated section within the arena.

The American Athletic Conference and Dickies Arena will have a number of health and safety protocols in place for the 2021 basketball championships. Face coverings for all guests will be required to enter the arena. Social distancing practices will be in effect throughout the event and hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed throughout Dickies Arena for all attendees, employees and other occupants.

All public-facing spaces will be cleaned and disinfected regularly, while dedicated staff members will sanitize high-touch points throughout the arena before, during and after events.

All-session packages and single-session tickets for The American Championships are available now through Ticketmaster or through Women’s and Men’s Championship Central on TheAmerican.org.