Fans or no fans? Where some NFL teams stand

CNN/Stylemagazine.com Newswire | 8/18/2020, 12:21 p.m.
The National Football League will kick off its season September 10 with fans in the stands, according to an announcement …
The Kansas City Chiefs, who won Super Bowl LIV, will host the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium with only 22% capacity, the Chiefs said./Credit: Jason Hanna/Getty Images

By Amir Vera, David Close and Aleks Klosok, CNN

(CNN) -- The National Football League will kick off its season September 10 with fans in the stands, according to an announcement Monday.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who won Super Bowl LIV, will host the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium with only 22% capacity, the Chiefs said.

The announcement comes as the NFL has struggled to determine how it will weather this season through the coronavirus pandemic. As of Monday night, the virus has infected more than 5.4 million Americans and killed more than 170,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Over 100 NFL players tested positive in the offseason and more than 50 tested positive when players began reporting to training camp earlier this month. Though the league announced safety protocols and canceled its preseason, at least 66 pro players have opted out of 2020 play.

The Chiefs, in consultation with health officials and the NFL, said on their website tickets for the game will be sold and grouped in six seats or less. Fans will be required to wear a mask at all times while at Arrowhead except for when they are "actively eating or drinking." Hand sanitation stations were installed throughout the stadium, the team said.

Tailgating will be allowed in the stadium parking lot, the Chiefs said, but they should only use the area behind their vehicle "to maintain proper physical distancing between groups." A tailgate-free zone will also be provided for fans who do not want to tailgate.

As far as staff, the Chiefs said staff members will be required to go through a health screening, including a questionnaire and temperature check. Staff will also be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and "exercise proper hygiene."

Here's where some other football teams stand on allowing fans in the stands this season:

Dallas Cowboys

An enthusiastic Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was brimming with excitement during the team's first training camp press conference on August 12. Jones expressed confidence that the NFL will host a full season of football with Cowboys fans enjoying home games in person.

"I'm confident that we've got a very educated situation and that our fans can come and have a safe experience at our stadium," Jones said. "Along with of course our players having the safety they're required on the football field."

When Jones was asked how many spectators would be allowed at AT&T Stadium, he said, "It will be in pods of possibly five, ten, 15 different people...Our stadium is well suited to put together numbers of people that have elected to come and want to watch the Dallas Cowboys play. I won't speculate on a number."

The Cowboys' NFL East rival, the Washington Football Team, has announced that no spectators will be allowed at their home games at FedEx Field. Washington's owner Dan Snyder cited the unpredictability of Covid-19 and the wellbeing of players, staff and fans.

Atlanta Falcons

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of Major League Soccer (MLS), will not host fans for the month of September because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It means the Falcons will play at least two home games without spectators -- the home opener on September 13 against the Seattle Seahawks and the team's meeting with the Chicago Bears on September 27.

"The health and safety of our fans is our top priority," said Steve Cannon, CEO of the Falcons.

"After thoughtful consideration and collaboration, it became clear to us that adhering to the guidance by national and local health officials was the right decision," he added.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears will not play home games in front of fans indefinitely .

Discussions between the Bears and the City of Chicago had been taking place about hosting a limited number of fans at Soldier Field amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That initiative was, though, deemed unsafe for now.

"After discussing a draft plan with City health officials, the Bears and the City of Chicago agreed the health metrics show that it is not the right time to welcome fans back to Soldier Field," read a statement.

"The health and safety of the city's residents and fans of the Bears will always take priority. The team and City will continue to monitor the environment and believe there can be a sound plan in place to bring fans back to Soldier Field once it is deemed safe and appropriate. Until then, Bears home games will not include in-person fans," it added.

The Bears are scheduled to play their first home game September 20 against the New York Giants -- their only home game in September.