Jets to keep playing games in Winnipeg despite capacity limits

John Olfert, president of Winnipeg Jets owners True North Sports + Entertainment, announced the team will stay put at the Canada Life Centre after exploring the possibility of playing home games in Saskatchewan to avoid Manitoba's attendance restrictions, according to The Athletic's Murat Ates.

The Jets had sent out a survey asking season-ticket holders how they felt about the team playing home games elsewhere, with the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon being considered a possible destination, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Saskatchewan currently isn't enforcing any attendance restrictions and the SaskTel Centre can hold a capacity of 15,000 people. Meanwhile, due to public health orders, capacity at Jets home games is limited to 250 people until Feb. 1. Six home contests have already been postponed this season.

Olfert sent an email to season-seat holders Friday to inform them that the Jets would not be moving their home games outside of Winnipeg after fans didn't seem too high on the idea, according to Ates.

Olfert announced that 40% of survey respondents held negative feelings toward the idea of home matchups being hosted in another jurisdiction, while 30% responded positively to the potential change. The remaining 30% were neutral.

The organization said it received thousands of survey responses, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck.

The Jets have fared better at home than they have on the road so far this season, posting a record of 10-6-1 in Winnipeg.

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