NFL kicks off most fixtures sans fans

Article posted by Coliseum, September 11^th, 2020

Image: MB Stadium & NFL

One simply cannot conjure up images of football stadia sans fans. Football players and football aficionados could not even think of such a scenario even in their wildest dreams in a pre-COVID world. But, as the COVID-19 curse struck in 2020 laying siege to the world, football stadia without fans has become the harsh reality. It is almost like the soccer world’s worst nightmare coming true – playing sans fans.

The National Football League (NFL) has kicked off from September 10th. The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference.

Of the 32 clubs, only six are currently planning to start with spectators – and that too at a reduced capacity. Eight teams have already decided that if the coronavirus scenario does not improve – and when it comes to the fatal respiratory disease, the United States is still sitting on a time bomb – there will be no fans at home for the entire season. Seventeen clubs have decided to exclude spectators for the first games.

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Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons will play games without fans at their home ground Mercedes Benz Stadium at Atlanta in US in September 2020. This affects two home games of the Falcons. Further meetings will be held in this regard with the local authorities.

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference South division.

Arizona Cardinals

The home games of Arizona Cardinals on September 20th and September 27th will be played without spectators at their residence State Farm Stadium in Arizona, US. The team will not have the next fixture in their own arena until October 25th. For the October 25th event, the question still remains open-ended as to the entry of supporters.

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the NFL as a member club of the National Football Conference West division.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens announced that there will be no fans at their residence M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, US, “for the first phase of the season” – however, the exact period has not been set. The first home games will be held on September 13th and September 28th.

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, US. The Ravens compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference North division.

Buffalo Bills

The State of New York presently still bans fans at sporting events. Therefore, there will be no spectators at least for the first two home games of the Buffalo Bills at the Bills Stadium in New York.

The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference East division.

Carolina Panthers

There will be no spectators in the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina, US, for the Carolina Panthers’ home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 13th. The proposition to allow fans for later games remains open-ended as of now.

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference South division.

Chicago Bears

No supporters will be allowed into the Chicago Bears’ home venue Soldier Field in Chicago, US, for the entire season. If the coronavirus situation improves in the United States later, fans may be allowed into the stadium fold.

The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference North division.

Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns:

The Governor of the State of Ohio (US), Mike DeWine, has allowed both clubs – Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns – to play two of their home games pegging fans’ attendance at 6,000 in September and October. As per media reports, the Browns-Bengals fixture on September 18th can be graced by up to 6,000 fans. The Browns can therefore also play the game against Washington (formerly known as Washington Redskins) on September 27th with spectators.

The Cincinnati Bengals will play two games: The home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 4th in their residence Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati (US) and the next game against the Browns on October 25th.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football franchise based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference North division. The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. They also compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are planning to allow spectators back into their home facility AT&T Stadium at Texas (US). Though the exact number of fans to be allowed has not yet been spelled out, the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has given the green signal for 50 percent of the stadia capacity.

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference East division.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos will play their first home game against the Tennessee Titans without fans’ attendance at their home arena Empower Field at Mile High in Denver (US).

However, the Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced plans to host a limited number of fans at Empower Field at Mile High beginning with their second home game on September 27th against Tampa Bay.

‘The Orange Crush’ has arrived at the above decision in consultation with the State of Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Attendance at Empower Field at Mile High will initially be limited to 5,700 fans – approximately 7.5 percent of the stadium capacity (76,125). The Broncos will continue to work closely with the State and public health experts, and they will together re-evaluate increasing fan attendance for future home games.

All Broncos Season Ticket Members will automatically be entered into a weighted lottery based on priority number for single-game tickets and parking passes with an on-sale date within the next week.

Seats will be sold in “pods” of one to six tickets, and sections will be separated into smaller groups with designated entry, concession and restroom areas to limit fan exposure in alignment with the State’s outdoor event guidance. Suite seating options – with limited capacity – will also be available first to current Broncos premium members.

With the health and safety of players, staff and fans being accorded the top priority, there will be significant changes to the game day experience at Empower Field at Mile High. This includes mandatory face coverings, social distancing requirements and no tailgating or congregating inside the concourses/stadium bowl.

There are many other safety enhancements at Empower Field at Mile High, including entirely mobile/cashless technology, touchless restrooms, improved air purification systems, increased sanitization protocols and extensive staff training.

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference West division. The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference South division.

Detroit Lions

No fans will be allowed at the first two home games of Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit (US) which serves as their home ground. The picture is still hazy as to what the scenario will be for the ‘Silver Crush’s’ third game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 1st.

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the NFL as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Indianapolis Colts are an American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference South division.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers will not permit fans at their digs Lambeau Field in Wisconsis (US) for their first two home games. The Packers will decide for the subsequent games whether to allow spectators at a later date.

The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the NFL as a member club of the National Football Conference North division.

Houston Texans

So far, the Houston Texans have said that fans will not be allowed at their residence NRG Stadium in Texas (US) for their home opener against Baltimore Ravens on September 20th. The decision whether to allow fans or not will be taken by the Texans soon.

The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference South division.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts may allow up to 15,000 fans in their home facility Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (US). This corresponds to a stadium load of around 25 percent.

The Indianapolis Colts are an American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference South division.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Florida team Jacksonville Jaguars wants to let in about 25 percent of spectators into their home stadium TIAA Bank Field in Florida, US. An increase in spectators’ limit depends on how the coronavirus scenario plays out.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional football franchise based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference South division.

Kansas City Chiefs

Around 16,000 fans will be able to grace the Kansas City Chiefs home opener at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (US) on September 10th which translates to 22 percent of the capacity of the arena.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference West division.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have planned their new season at the lush Allegiant Stadium in Nevada (US) totally sans spectators.

The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Raiders compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) West division.

Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams will play their home games in the plush SoFi Stadium in California (US) sans spectators until further notice.

The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Chargers compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Rams compete in the NFL as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division.

Miami Dolphins

A maximum of 13,000 spectators will attend the Miami Dolphins’ home opener against the Buffalo Bills on September 20th at their home venue Hard Rock Stadium in Florida (US). The Dolphins have not yet spelled out their stand as to whether fans will be allowed in their other games or not.

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the NFL as a member of the league’s American Football Conference East division.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings will play their first two games without the presence of spectators at their home field US Bank Stadium in Minnesota (US). The Vikings are hoping to be able to utilize about 20 percent of the capacity of the stadium for their future games.

The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960, and first took the field for the 1961 season. The team competes in the National Football Conference North division.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots will not play in front of fans at their home facility Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts (US) in September. The State of Massachusetts nixed the Patriots’ plan to use 20 percent of the stadium’s capacity.

The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) East division.

New Orleans Saints

So far, the picture is that the New Orleans Saints will play their home opener against the Tampa Bay with no fans’ attendance in the former’s home stadium Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana, US. The second game is also not likely to be held in the presence of spectators.

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the NFL as a member of the league’s National Football Conference South division.

New York Jets and New York Giants

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (US) serves as the home arena of both the New York Jets and the New York Giants. It is likely that no games will be played in the presence of spectators at MetLife Stadium this year. Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy has banned the entry of fans.

The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference East division. The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference East division.

Philadelphia Eagles

No fans will be allowed in the Philadelphia Eagles’ home stadium Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, US, until further notice.

The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference East division.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The first two home games of the Pittsburgh Steelers at least will be played sans fans at their home Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (US).

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division.

San Francisco 49ers

No spectators will be allowed in the San Francisco 49ers first home game against Arizona Cardinals in the former’s home field Levi’s Stadium. A fresh decision will be taken later.

The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They compete in the NFL as a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) West division.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks will play their first three home games against New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings without the presence of supporters at their home arena CenturyLink Field in Washington, US. A decision as to whether fans can attend future games will be taken later.

The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They compete in the NFL as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference West division.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans home opener on September 20th against Jacksonville Jaguars is planned without fans at the former’s home field Nissan Stadium in Tennessee (US). What will be the future course of action has still not been decided.

The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference South division.

Washington Football Team

All home games of the Washington Football Team will take place without supporters at their home facility FedExField in Maryland, US. However, if the coronavirus situation comes under considerable control in the United States later, fans might be let in.

The Washington Football Team, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, is a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The team competes in the NFL as a member of the NFC East division.

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