Province of Ontario delivers huge news to Maple Leafs and Senators fans

The fans are about to be back in a big way. 

Earlier this afternoon, the province of Ontario officially gave the go-ahead for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors as well as the Ottawa Senators permission to hold full capacity crowds for home games in the upcoming NHL and NBA season. 

The news was confirmed by Sport Minister Lisa MacLeod, who wrote the following on social media:

- "Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., capacity limits will be lifted in the following settings where in most of them proof of vaccination is required:

- Concert venues, theatres, and cinemas; 

- Spectator areas of facilities for sports and recreational fitness (would not include gyms, personal training);

- Meeting and event spaces (indoor meeting and event spaces will still need to limit capacity to the number that can maintain physical distancing);

- Horseracing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues; and Commercial film and television productions with studio audiences."

The Maple Leafs open their season this coming Wednesday with a home game against the rival Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena. The following night, they'll visit the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre in what will be the latter's home opener. 

The two teams had previously stipulated a 50% fan capacity inside their respective venues.