As a result of government-mandated assembly limitations and closures, all of our performance venues were closed beginning in
mid-March
2020. Use of The Garden resumed for Knicks and Rangers home games without fans in December 2020 and January 2021, respectively, and, beginning on February 23, 2021, The Garden was permitted to host fans at games at 10% seating capacity with certain safety protocols, such as proof of full vaccination or a negative
COVID-19
test and social distancing. Starting April 1, 2021, our other New York performance venues, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre, were also permitted to reopen at 10% capacity with certain safety protocols. Although live events were permitted at our venues, government-mandated capacity restrictions and other safety requirements made it economically unfeasible to do so for most events at that time. Effective May 19, 2021, all of our New York venues were permitted to host guests at full capacity, subject to certain restrictions, and effective June 2021, The Chicago Theatre was permitted to host events without restrictions. As a result, The Garden hosted three Knicks playoff games with approximately
15,000-16,000
fans in attendance per game during Fiscal Year 2021, and we welcomed the Foo Fighters on June 20, 2021 for the first live event at The Garden with 100% capacity since our venues were shut down in March 2020. In addition, on June 19, 2021, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors for the first time in over a year to host the Tribeca Festival’s closing night film, Untitled: Dave Chappelle Documentary, with 100% capacity. The Beacon Theatre hosted its first ticketed event, at 100% capacity, on June 22, 2021 with the first of two shows from Trey Anastasio, and Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden hosted its first ticketed event, at 100% capacity, with a
boxing/hip-hop
event on August 3, 2021. For all events hosted at our New York venues with 100% capacity prior to August 17, 2021, guests were required to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative
COVID-19
test, depending on the requirements of that venue and/or preference of the performer. Effective August 17, 2021, all workers and customers in New York City indoor dining, indoor fitness and indoor entertainment facilities are required to show proof of at least one vaccination shot. In addition, effective August 20, 2021, face coverings are required for all individuals in indoor public spaces in Chicago, including our venues. For Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of ticketed events at our venues were postponed or canceled and, while live events are permitted to be held at all of our performance venues as of the date of this filing and we are continuing to host and book new events, due to the lead-time required to book touring acts and artists, which is the majority of our business, we expect that our bookings will continue to be impacted through the 2021 calendar year. We continue to actively pursue
one-time
or multi-night performances at our venues as the touring market ramps up.
As discussed above, capacity restrictions, use limitations and social distancing requirements were in place for the entirety of the Knicks and Rangers
2020-21
regular seasons, which materially impacted the payments we received under the Arena License Agreements for Fiscal Year 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Knicks and Rangers began paying the full amounts provided for under their respective Arena License Agreements. The NBA and NHL have each announced that they intend to return to traditional October to April regular season schedule, with full
82-game
regular seasons, for the
2021-22
season.
Disruptions caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic had a significant and negative impact on Tao Group Hospitality’s operations and financial performance for Fiscal Year 2021. Due to government actions taken in response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, virtually all of Tao Group Hospitality’s venues were closed for approximately three months starting in
mid-March
2020, and Avenue and Vandal in New York were permanently closed in April 2020 and June 2020, respectively. In addition, Avenue in Los Angeles was permanently closed in May 2021. Throughout Fiscal Year 2021, Tao Group Hospitality conducted limited operations at certain venues, subject to significant regulatory requirements, including capacity limits, curfews and social distancing requirements for outdoor and indoor dining. Tao Group Hospitality’s operations fluctuated throughout Fiscal Year 2021 as certain markets lifted restrictions, imposed restrictions, and changed operational requirements over time.
As of June 30, 2021, 51 of Tao Group Hospitality’s venues were open for outdoor dining, limited or full capacity indoor dining (depending on the market), and delivery/takeout (23 legacy Tao Group Hospitality venues and 28 Hakkasan venues acquired in connection with the April 27, 2021 transaction), inclusive of Tao Asian Bistro & Lounge at Mohegan Sun, a new venue that first opened its doors in March 2021, while 10 venues remained closed (five legacy Tao Group Hospitality venues and five Hakkasan venues). Of the 51 Tao Group Hospitality venues currently operating, 29 are U.S.-based and operating without capacity restrictions (21 Tao Group Hospitality legacy venues and eight Hakkasan venues) and 22 are international (two Tao Group Hospitality legacy venues and 20 Hakkasan venues) and operating under various governmental safety protocols such as curfews, capacity limitations and social distancing. Effective August 17, 2021, workers and customers in New York City indoor dining facilities are required to show proof of at least one vaccination shot. In addition, certain U.S. jurisdictions have reinstated safety protocols, such as the mask mandates in Nevada and Chicago, but not otherwise limiting capacity.