Will there be fans at NFL games in 2020? Where all 32 teams stand for the regular season
NFL fans across the country are wondering whether they will be able to attend games once the 2020 season starts.
The answer is it depends on where and when. Guidelines vary from state to state regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Some teams have announced they will proceed with limited capacities, while others have said they will progress with no fans.
We asked each of our reporters to check with team officials to see where things currently stand. Here is what they were told, and updates as of Aug. 31 have been made to teams, including Carolina, Arizona, Cincinnati, Buffalo, San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams and Chargers:
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Stadium:Bills Stadium
Capacity: 71,608
What we know: The Bills announced Aug. 25 that no fans will be permitted in the stadium for the team's first two regular-season home games, against the New York Jets (Sept. 13) and against the Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 27). -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
Capacity: 65,326
What we know: The Dolphins are allowing fans -- a maximum of 13,000 or 20% capacity -- for their Sept. 20 home opener against Buffalo. The expectation is fans in the stands will continue with possibly an even larger capacity as the year goes as long as everything goes according to plan. Season-ticket holders will get priority on attending games with information on single-game tickets and suites available at a later time. All fans will be required to wear masks along with several other guidelines including socially distanced seat clusters, touchless entry and food ordering, timed fan entry, no smoking or tailgating. The team is giving all season-ticket members the option to roll their 2020 payments into the 2021 season and retain all of their tenure, seats and associated benefits. Dolphins vice chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel said they put the "attention to detail and diligence into creating a safe environment" and elected officials made the final call to allow fans for the opener. -- Cameron Wolfe
New England Patriots
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Capacity: 66,829
What we know: The Patriots will not have fans at regular-season games through at least September, which accounts for the home opener against the Dolphins (Sept. 13) and a game against the Raiders two weeks later (Sept. 27). Officials are hopeful to possibly have fans later in the season, pending local and state approval. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Capacity: 82,500
What we know: No fans are permitted to watch the Jets at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced recently in conjunction with the Jets and Giants. They said the order is in place "until further notice," leaving some wiggle room. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium
Capacity: 71,008
What we know: The Ravens announced on Aug. 24 that they're not hosting fans at M&T Bank Stadium for "at least the initial part" of the 2020 regular season. The initial plan in early July was to host 14,000 fans. A new proposal of allowing 7,500 fans was made to government officials in early August. But, based on recommendations of public health experts, the Ravens determined to not allow fans to attend games for the start of the season. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
Capacity: 65,515
What we know: The Bengals announced Aug. 25 that fans will not be allowed indefinitely as the franchise seeks further guidance from the state of Ohio. In a statement, executive vice president Katie Blackburn said the state had not granted an exemption waiver to allow the Bengals to have fans at games. Cincinnati will need the waiver granted or the removal of state-wide restrictions in order to host fans at games in 2020. -- Ben Baby
Cleveland Browns
Stadium: FirstEnergy Stadium
Capacity: 67,895
What we know: While they wait for approval from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the Browns released a plan Wednesday for hosting fans at FirstEnergy Stadium, including the home opener against Cincinnati on Sept. 17. Among the bullet points in the plan: Tickets will be mobile and will be sold in "pods of known fans," groups of one to 10 people who will be able to sit next to each other. Pods would consist of family members or other individuals who are closely familiar with each other. Tickets would be assigned to specific seats and assigned so no pods will be closer than six feet from each other. And each ticket would come with an assigned gate and recommended entrance time.-- Jake Trotter
Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium: Heinz Field
Capacity: 68,400
What we know: In an email sent to season-ticket holders on Aug. 27, the Steelers announced there will be no fans at Heinz Field for at least the first two home games -- Sept. 20 against the Denver Broncos and Sept. 27 against the Houston Texans. After that, the Steelers are scheduled to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 11 and the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 18. The team did not include any details about fan attendance for those games.-- Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Stadium: NRG Stadium
Capacity: 72,220
What we know: The Texans announced they will not have fans at NRG Stadium for the home opener on Sept. 20 against Baltimore, and that "whether fans can attend other home games later in the season will depend on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the greater Houston area, which is currently at the highest threat level (RED)." By not having fans in the stadium in the month of September, the Texans hope they can focus on refining "the safety and operational protocols required to host fans at NRG Stadium." -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Capacity: 67,000
What we know: The Colts have announced that they will have no more than about 25% capacity during games at Lucas Oil Stadium. They have two packages -- Plan A and Plan B -- for fans to choose from. Plan A features home games against Minnesota, Baltimore, Houston and Tennessee. Plan B will include home games against the New York Jets, Cincinnati, Green Bay and Jacksonville. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium: TIAA Bank Field
Capacity: 67,164
What we know: The Jaguars told season-ticket holders they will be able to seat approximately 25% of TIAA Bank Field's capacity at each home game in 2020. The stadium holds 67,164, so the capacity will be 16,791. The team said any possible increase in capacity will depend on developments regarding the coronavirus as well as any local, state or federal instructions. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Capacity: 69,143
What we know: The Titans' home opener in Week 2 against the Jaguars on Sept. 20 will not have fans, Nashville mayor John Cooper decided on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The next home game will be two weeks later on Oct. 4 when the Titans host the Steelers, and the decision on whether to permit fans into the stadium for that game has not been decided. -- Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High
Capacity: 76,125
What we know: The Broncos announced on Aug. 21 that there will be no fans at the season opener -- a ESPN Monday Night Football game on Sept. 14 against Tennessee. The team will continue to be in communication with state and local officials about the possibility for limited fan seating at other home games, but any announcements on whether fans will be able to attend other games will be made later. The Broncos' second home game of the season is Sept. 27 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
Capacity: 72,936
What we know:The Chiefs, who previously announced they planned to sell tickets for home games, said they would have about 16,000 fans in attendance for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs announced Monday they would limit attendance for early-season games to 22% of stadium capacity. They listed Arrowhead's attendance last year at 72,936, which would mean at 22% capacity they would sell 16,046 tickets. The Chiefs said they would adjust attendance at home games later in the season depending on conditions.-- Adam Teicher
Las Vegas Raiders
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
Capacity: 65,000
What we know: Raiders owner Mark Davis followed through on an earlier feeling by emailing Raiders season-ticket holders on Monday to tell them that fans will not be allowed at home games this season. He also said earlier that if no fans could attend home games, neither would he. It is a unique situation for the Raiders, who have moved into a sparkling new 65,000-seat, $1.9 billion palace off the Las Vegas Strip. But because the NFL wants the first eight rows of seats from the field blocked off to create more social distancing from players on the sideline (and to create advertising revenue via tarps covering said seats), Davis is nonplussed. "The optics are terrible; advertising on top of seats belonging to people you're telling they can't come to the game," said Davis, who added that his idea of installing a Plexiglas barrier between the first row of seats and the field rather than blocking off seats was never discussed. "I'd rather have everybody pissed at me than just one person. I've got to make it up to them, and I will. This is all about safety and equity." -- Paul Gutierrez
Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,240
What we know: The Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium announced on Aug. 25 that both Rams and Chargers home games will be held without fans in attendance until further notice. -- Lindsey Thiry
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
What we know: The Cowboys will have fans at AT&T Stadium but they have not announced exactly how many. It will be fewer than the 50% capacity that will be allowed under guidelines from Gov. Greg Abbott and comply with the league and CDC protocols. The team has announced guidelines for in and around the stadium for 2020, including social distancing, mask wearing, seating in pods to keep distance between groups, no paper tickets, all food, beverage and retail sales will be cashless, security scans for fans and distanced tailgating. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
Capacity: 82,500
What we know: No fans are allowed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey "until further notice." This according to a recent executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy that caps outdoor gatherings at 500 people. It makes it unlikely that the Giants will have fans at games until (optimistically) later in the season. The same applies to the Jets. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
Capacity: 69,596
What we know: Currently, Philadelphia prohibits outdoor events involving more than 50 people, meaning no fans in the stands for now. The mayor's office called it a "fluid situation," though, leaving open the possibility that fans could be allowed to attend at some point this season should circumstances change for the better. -- Tim McManus
Washington Football Team
Stadium: FedEx Field
Capacity: 82,000
What we know: Washington will not have any fans attend home games this season. In a statement, franchise owner Dan Snyder said the unpredictability of the coronavirus led him to this decision. The franchise was the first to recall its scouts from the field at the start of the pandemic. It also was among the first to shut down its facility and allow employees to work from home. The team has allowed season-ticket holders to either receive a refund or apply their payments to 2021. Washington also said its decision would be re-evaluated if the situation improves during the course of the season. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Stadium: Soldier Field
Capacity: 61,500
What we know: The Bears cited the current state and city of Chicago health metrics as the reasons why fans will not be permitted to attend games at Soldier Field this season. The Bears left open the possibly that the policy could be changed, but the organization said at the moment the health and safety of city residents and Bears fans take priority. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
Stadium: Ford Field
Capacity: 65,000
What we know: The Lions announced on Aug. 21 that they will have no fans at home games against Chicago (Sept. 13) and New Orleans (Oct. 4). Lions team president Rod Wood said in a statement they are going to evaluate the situation for fans for later in the season. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
Stadium: Lambeau Field
Capacity: 81,441
What we know: The Packers won't allow fans for at least the first two home games. The first chance for any fans at Lambeau Field won't come until Nov. 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. At that point, it will be no more than 10,000 to 12,000 fans. "We are hopeful that we will be able to host fans for games later in the season, should conditions allow," Packers president Mark Murphy said when he announced the policy for the first two home games. "We will continue to consult with community healthcare and public health officials on the pandemic conditions in our area. We ask our fans to continue to help by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing guidelines." -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium
Capacity: 66,655
What we know: The Vikings announced Aug. 25 they will play their first two regular-season home games without fans on Sept. 13 (vs. the Green Bay Packers) and Sept. 27 (vs. the Tennessee Titans). "Based on our conversations and the current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines that specify an indoor venue capacity of 250, we have determined it is not the right time to welcome fans back to U.S. Bank Stadium," the team said in a statement. -- Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Capacity: 71,000
What we know: The Falcons originally planned to host between 10,000 to 20,000 fans at Mercedes Benz-Stadium for regular-season games in 2020. That plan changed when the team decided to go with no fans for September, including the Sept. 13 season opener against Seattle and the Sept. 27 matchup with the Bears in Week 3. The Falcons also won't have fans at their Week 4 road contest with Green Bay Oct. 5, an ESPN Monday Night Football clash. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Capacity: 75,523
What we know: The Panthers will not have fans in the stands for their Week 1 game against the Raiders on Sept. 13, the team announced on Aug. 31. The state of North Carolina remains in Phase 2 of re-opening, and further updates from the governor are expected next week. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Capacity: 73,208
What we know: The Saints announced on Aug. 12 that they will have no fans in the Superdome for their first home game against Tampa Bay in Week 1 and that it appears "unlikely" they will have fans for their second home game against Green Bay in Week 3. The Saints will be prepared in case changes are made as they continue to work and communicate with government officials and health and safety experts. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
Capacity: 65,890
What we know: The Bucs are still determining at what capacity they can safely operate at in 2020, but the team is rolling over all season-ticket holders' payments for 2021 or they may use that credit to purchase single-game tickets for 2020. Fans who wish to roll over their credit will also be given priority access to single-game 2020 tickets based on tenure. Fans also will have the option for a full refund for 2020 but will still receive an offer for a renewal in 2021 in the same location. The deadline to apply for a refund is Aug. 9. Unused parking funds can be rolled over for 2021 or fans can request a refund. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Stadium: State Farm Stadium
Capacity: 63,400
What we know: The Cardinals announced on Aug. 28 that they will not have fans in attendance for the team's first two home games, Week 2 against Washington (Sept. 20) and Week 3 against Detroit (Sept. 27). "We will continue to work with state and local officials in the weeks ahead to determine whether we may be in position to host a limited number of fans later in the season," according to Cardinals officials. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,240
What we know: The Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium announced on Aug. 25 that both Rams and Chargers home games will be held without fans in attendance until further notice. -- Lindsey Thiry
San Francisco 49ers
Stadium: Levi's Stadium
Capacity: 68,500
What we know: The 49ers announced on Aug. 25 that, in accordance with public health guidelines through the state of California and Santa Clara County officials, there will be no fans in attendance for the Sept. 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals. The team will continue to work with officials regarding a decision on future home games. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Capacity: 69,000
What we know: The Seahawks announced on Aug. 19 that they will not have fans at CenturyLink Field for "at least" their first three homes games: New England (Sept. 20), Dallas (Sept. 27) and Minnesota (Oct. 11). -- Brady Henderson
