The National Football League has confirmed that for any fans allowed to attend a game in 2020, fans will be mandatory in all 30 stadiums. To this point, noting the differences in level of infection from region to region, the league has stopped short of installing a league-wide policy to allowing fans at games, instead giving that decision to individual franchises, taking into consideration local mandates.
The week began on Monday with the New York Jets and New York Giants announcing that they will not allow fans into MetLife Stadium this fall, officially saying “until further notice”. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is limiting outdoor gatherings in his state to 500 or less. MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, nine miles west of New York City.
New stadiums in Las Vegas and Inglewood, California may have trouble filling the seats for Raiders, Rams, and Chargers games this fall due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis said he is “leaning toward not having fans attend games” at the franchise’s new Allegiant Stadium this season. The franchise moved from Oakland, California to the new digs in Nevada this summer.
The Los Angeles Rams announced that their new SoFi STadium will run with “limited or no capacity” this season.
In Philadelphia, an announcement was made last week in which city officials gave the indication that no fans would be allowed at Eagles games in 2020. However, the mayor’s office, this week, has not officially slammed the door on the hopes of having some amount of spectators at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Green Bay Packers announced that very reduced capacity at 81,000-plus seat Lambeau Field will be utilized this year, with 10,000 to 12,000 fans given as the likely capacity at the legendary facility. The Atlanta Falcons indicated on Wednesday plans to hold 10,000 to 20,000 fans at games inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers have not made an announcement concerning capacity, but did say that fans coming into Heinz Field will be required to wear masks.
