Packers: No fans at training camp, preseason this year
The Packers will have no fans at training camp or in their home preseason games.
The entire world has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the NFL has been no different.
After a “virtual” offseason and draft earlier this year, the Green Bay Packers will now have no fans at training camp, Family Night, or in their home preseason games.
It was the expected move by the Packers, and the team confirmed it with an announcement on Wednesday.
Packers announce there will be no fans in preseason
The Packers are currently scheduled to play four preseason games, according to their website, although this is expected to be cut in half at the minimum. It’s also a possibility that the preseason will be scrapped completely.
The NFL is cutting to 2 preseason games as PFT reported. I would not lock into the concept the preseason schedule will definitely follow the current match-ups for Week 2 and 3, however. Or the fact that exhibition games won't be scrapped entirely. Many execs believe they will be
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 1, 2020
The NFL appears to be following the direction of other sports leagues around the world. In many soccer leagues that have restarted across Europe, games are being played in empty stadiums with no fans. While there has been no announcement yet on how the NFL will handle the regular season, beginning the season with no fans or a limited capacity seems to be the route they’ll take.
Safety should always come first so this is the right call, but it will lead to an unusual season. If there are empty stadiums, or limited capacity, all year, it will make for a very different season than usual.
The offseason has already been different from normal. There was no offseason program in May and June, and no rookie minicamp following the draft. The 2020 NFL Draft, itself, was held remotely. Free agency was also impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
It could be a while before we see a sold-out Lambeau Field as the Packers take the field. With no fans at training camp, Family Night, or the preseason, the NFL continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.