With training camps open, 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.
For many, it's still wait and see. 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. 18 have been made to teams, including New England, Atlanta, Chicago, Tennessee, Kansas City, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans and Washington:
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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: Orchard Park Stadium
Capacity: 71,608
What we know: New York State issued a guideline last month prohibiting fans not only from attending live sporting events but also from tailgating around the stadium. The Bills have given season-ticket holders the option to suspend their commitment until the 2021 season but are ready to offer priority seating to season-ticket holders who maintain their commitment, in the event limited seating is allowed. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
Capacity: 65,326
What we know: The Dolphins haven't officially decided whether they will have fans in the stadium and at what capacity. That information will come in the weeks ahead in consultation with health experts and government officials. In early May, Dolphins CEO and vice chairman Tom Garfinkel released a mock-up for Hard Rock Stadium to hold approximately 15,000 fans with social distancing, masks, touchless entry and cashless payment methods. The Dolphins say when a capacity is determined, season-ticket members will have first priority to purchase tickets based on their tenure. The team is also 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. They also strongly encouraged any season-ticket members who may be considered at risk based on CDC guidelines to exercise the 2021 option and stay at home in 2020. -- 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 revised their plan, submitting a proposal to state and city government officials that would allow 7,500 fans to attend home games. This differs with the original idea of hosting 14,000 at the 71,008-seat M&T; Bank Stadium. A final decision is not expected for several weeks. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
Capacity: 65,515
What we know: In July, the Bengals told season-ticket holders that Paul Brown Stadium will have "greatly reduced" seating if the team is allowed to have fans this season. In that scenario, those with season tickets will be reseated to comply with physical distancing. Face coverings will be required and tailgating prohibited. Fans can choose to opt out of attending 2020 games and keep their season tickets for 2021. -- Ben Baby
Cleveland Browns
Stadium: FirstEnergy Stadium
Capacity: 67,895
What we know: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently said it's "too early" to determine what will be safe regarding fans in the Buckeye State. Ohio State announced it will cap fan capacity at 20,000 at Ohio Stadium. The Browns, however, continue to call the situation fluid. -- Jake Trotter
Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium: Heinz Field
Capacity: 68,400
What we know: The Steelers are planning to have a limited number of fans at Heinz Field, but that reduced capacity hasn't been determined yet. Fans who purchased single-game tickets to games this season through Ticketmaster and other third-party websites were recently informed their transactions had been canceled and refunded, leaving season-ticket holders with the best chance of seeing a game in-person at Heinz Field this year. -- 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: Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said this past week that no decision had been made if the Broncos would have a limited number of fans at their home games or no fans, but that the decision would be made in conjunction with both local and state officials. Ellis said: "They're proceeding with caution and so are we. We want to do the right thing. I don't have a set number of fans for you nor do I know when fans will be in the stands. We're going to work through that. We're going to do that in partnership with the governor and the mayor, the City of Denver.'' Ellis added the team would continue to be in contact with city and state governments, and how neighboring states are contending with the virus could impact the decision. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
Capacity: 76,416
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 Chargers have not officially announced capacity restrictions, but they expect theirs to be similar if not the same as the Rams', as the teams share SoFi Stadium. Capacity limitations have not been finalized, but expect a cap of 15,000 fans or the possibility that the stadium will be empty in its debut season. -- 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
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Detroit Lions
Stadium: Ford Field
Capacity: 65,000
What we know: The Lions have said they are waiting on regulations and guidance from the state of Michigan before making any official announcements. As of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's latest executive order on July 29, no live audiences are permitted for sporting events in Wayne County, where the Lions play. But things can change between now and September. -- 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 have not announced a specific attendance figure for home games but acknowledged that games will be played at "a significantly reduced capacity and include a different in-stadium experience." If games are indeed played in U.S. Bank Stadium at a limited capacity, the priority will be given to stadium builders license owners. Season-ticket holders have the chance to opt out of their season tickets by requesting a full refund for the 2020 season or have their accounts credited toward a 2021 season-ticket package. There is also the option for fans to keep their tickets and if games are canceled or reduced capacity is implemented: "A credit for the portion of your paid 2020 season tickets applicable to the missed game(s) will automatically be applied to your account, unless you request a full refund for the missed 2020 game(s)." -- 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 team has made no official statement, but owner David Tepper has said publicly that he believes fans should be in the stands this season. There have been discussions of about 20,000 fans in the 75,000 seat stadium. PSL owners already have been sent a letter saying they will have the option to purchase tickets, but they can opt out without losing their PSL. -- 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: In an email telling season-ticket holders that their ticket plans will be canceled for the 2020 season, the Cardinals said "it is not clear at this point how many spectators -- if any -- will be permitted to attend Cardinals home games in 2020." Until that is decided, which may not be until the eleventh hour because of Arizona's high rates, the Cardinals have yet to publicly announce any plans. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
Capacity: 72,240
What we know: The Rams announced that the capacity at SoFi Stadium will be capped at 15,000 fans this season, and the possibility remains that no fans will be allowed to attend games in 2020. -- Lindsey Thiry
San Francisco 49ers
Stadium: Levi's Stadium
Capacity: 68,500
What we know: Given the state of things in California, it's hard to imagine the 49ers having fans at games this year even in a limited capacity, though no official decision has been made yet on that front. For now, the Niners have said that they "may not be able to host fans in a full or limited capacity this season." With that in mind, the team has already said all single-game ticket sales for the season will be refunded and season-ticket holders can decline tickets for the season with the ability to renew next year. If fans are permitted, they will be required to wear masks and tickets will be made available on a game-by-game basis, with season-ticket holders having first priority. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Capacity: 69,000
What we know: The Seahawks have not announced a range of fans they plan on allowing at each home game, but all signs point to a significantly reduced capacity being the best-case scenario. King County is paused in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee's four-phase reopening plan. Large sporting events are not allowed until the final phase, meaning things would have to get significantly better in a hurry for CenturyLink Field to have any fans in the stands by the time the Seahawks play their home opener against New England in Week 2. The team has allowed season-ticket holders the option of opting out of the 2020 season. -- Brady Henderson