The USC Trojans bench looks on during a NCAA basketball game against the Utah Utes at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles on January 2, 2021. | Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News/Getty Images

Despite the pandemic, the NCAA will allow a limited number of spectators for both men’s and women’s tournaments.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced Friday it would allow a limited number of fans to attend the the upcoming 2021 men’s and women’s Division I March Madness basketball tournaments in person, despite the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the NCAA, fans will be present for every round of the men’s tournament, though only the later rounds of the women’s tournament — starting with the Sweet 16 — will have spectators.

ATTENDANCE UPDATE!

NCAA to allow limited fan attendance at DI MBB NCAA