The NFL COVID-19 protocol is set to differ significantly between stadiums, with many stadiums not allowing fans to begin with, and some allowing fans in a socially distanced setting. With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the cancellation of the 2020 NFL preseason games, as well as the NFL Draft having to be held in a virtual session, this league year is already shaping up to be one that is completely different from previous years.
The protocol for each team’s stadiums are as follows:
Arizona Cardinals: First two home games at State Farm Stadium will be held without fans in attendance, with a decision on the following home games to come at a later date.
Atlanta Falcons: Mercedes-Benz Stadium is barring fans for a minimum of the Falcons’ first two home games.
Baltimore Ravens: M&T Bank Stadium will not have fans for at least the “initial part” of the 2020 season.
Buffalo Bills: Bills Stadium will not allow fans to attend games at least throughout September.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers’ home opener at Bank of America Stadium will not host fans due to governmental restrictions, a position Panthers owner David Tepper has expressed frustration with.
Chicago Bears: Soldier Field will not host spectators for the beginning of the season, with the possibility remaining that fans may be allowed in the future.
Cincinnati Bengals: Paul Brown Stadium will not host spectators for the Bengals home opener.
Cleveland Browns: Governor Mike DeWine has raised the possibility that a small number of fans could be permitted at the Browns’ September 17th home opener against the Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium, with the decision expected in the coming-days.
Dallas Cowboys: AT&T Stadium will have fans present at games this season, with current Texas statutes permitting stadiums to operate at up to 50% capacity.
Denver Broncos: Empower Field will not host fans for the first two weeks of the season but will reportedly open their stadium on a limited basis during Week 3.
Detroit Lions: Ford Field is not allowing spectators in attendance for the first two Lions home games, but is not ruling out the possibility of permitting fans for the November 1st game against the Colts.
Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field will be without fans throughout the first two home games, at the minimum.
Houston Texans: NRG Stadium will be empty for the Texans home opener against the Ravens, with a further plan to be established later on.
Indianapolis Colts: Lucas Oil Stadium is expected to have a limited amount of fans for the Colts home opener against the Vikings.
Jacksonville Jaguars: TIAA Bank Field will host around 17,000 fans for their home opener on September 13th, with fans sectioned off into groups of no more than eight.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs plan to have fans present for their home opener, with Arrowhead Stadium hosting approximately 20% of its total capacity.
Las Vegas Raiders: Allegiant Stadium will not allow fans for the entirety of the 2020 NFL season.
Los Angeles Chargers/Rams: SoFi Stadium has announced that both the Chargers and Rams will play without fans until further notice.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins presented one of the initial plans for hosting fans in a socially distanced setting, and plan to put that plan into action by allowing up to 13,000 fans for their home opener.
Minnesota Vikings: U. S. Bank Stadium is barring fans from attendance for its first two games at least.
New England Patriots: Gillette Stadium will be without fans for the first two Patriots home games but may implement a pod system for socially distanced attendance later on.
New Orleans Saints: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome will begin allowing fans for the Saints’ second home game on a limited basis if a plan is approved by the New Orleans local government.
New York Giants/Jets: MetLife Stadium will not allow in-person attendance for the entirety of the 2020 NFL season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Lincoln Financial Field will bar fans from attending Eagles games until further notice.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are barring fans from attending at least their first two games at Heinz Field this season.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers will not have fans present at Levi’s Stadium for at least their home opener, with a decision on further games to be announced later on.
Seattle Seahawks: CenturyLink Field will not permit in-person attendance for a minimum of the first three Seahawks home games, with a decision on later games to be announced.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The first two Buccaneers home games at Raymond James Stadium will be played in an empty arena.
Tennessee Titans: Nissan Field will not allow fans for at least their home opener on September 20th.
Washington Football Team: FedExField will be without fans for the foreseeable future, though Washington may revise their current policy later in the year.
