San Francisco 49ers Address Wheelchair Access Issues at Levi’s Stadium

UPDATE: The San Francisco 49ers are under fire for inadequate ADA seating at Levi’s Stadium following revelations from social media influencer Kevin Ortiz. During a recent game against the Atlanta Falcons, Ortiz, who uses a wheelchair, highlighted significant accessibility challenges, raising urgent concerns about the stadium’s practices.

Ortiz, who is on a mission to visit every NFL stadium this season, faced major hurdles in securing affordable ADA seating at Levi’s. He reported that most ADA spots are reserved for season ticket holders and often resold at exorbitant prices, sometimes exceeding $1,000. “The normal person probably would have gotten the pushback from the first person and had just left,” Ortiz stated, emphasizing that not everyone could navigate the system as he did.

While Ortiz ultimately secured a seat thanks to Levi’s Stadium staff, he expressed frustration over the overall experience. “I know I had this issue, but I did have an amazing time. Shoutout to Levi’s because they did end up getting me seats,” he said. His advocacy shines a light on the difficulties many wheelchair users face at sporting events.

Ortiz typically purchases regular tickets and attempts to exchange them for ADA seating upon arrival. This method has worked at ten other stadiums but failed at Levi’s. The 49ers acknowledged the issue, stating they review ADA seating requests approximately a week in advance, which does not accommodate last-minute attendees. “It should be something where they do hold a certain amount of seats for the day of,” Ortiz urged, advocating for a first-come, first-served policy.

The 49ers have responded to these concerns by initiating discussions with affected families to improve accessibility at Levi’s Stadium for the upcoming season. This proactive approach follows reports of ADA tickets being resold at shocking prices, prompting a critical examination of the current system.

Ortiz’s journey, documented on Instagram, aims to show that individuals with disabilities deserve equal access to sporting events. “People in this world with all shapes and sizes, with all types of disabilities that want to go to these events… I just hope they have an adequate amount of seats,” he emphasized.

As authorities confirm ongoing discussions to enhance ADA seating, the 49ers are faced with increasing pressure to address these critical accessibility issues. With millions of fans looking to enjoy live sports, the need for inclusive policies has never been more urgent.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The experiences shared by Ortiz highlight a significant need for change in how stadiums manage accessibility, ensuring all fans can enjoy their favorite games without barriers.