LA Chargers 2020 Season Opens Sept. 20, To Empty SoFi Stadium
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Chargers shared much anticipated news, Tuesday, that games would be played at the new SoFi Stadium with no crowd in attendance. With a season home opener at the new Los Angeles SoFi Stadium set for Thursday, Sept. 20, fans will have to watch from flat screens rather than stadium seats amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a joint statement from both SoFi stadium and the Rams and Chargers organizations, who share the venue, the Rams and Chargers games will be held without fans in attendance until further notice.
"While we all look forward to coming together to celebrate this new era of sports and entertainment in Los Angeles, the health and safety of our fans, community, players, and staff remains our top priority," the joint statement said. "We will continue to work with LA County Department of Public Health and the City of Inglewood on a plan that, when circumstances permit, safely brings fans to SoFi Stadium and adheres to local, State, CDC, and NFL guidelines."
Should the health conditions change dramatically, plans could change. For the time being, season ticket holders and single ticket holders will have to wait.
For now, there is a ticket price freeze in effect. The Charger's opponents for 2021 will include the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and a still to be determined AFC East opponent.
According to team owner Dean Spanos, not being able to play in front of fans is "heartbreaking."
Still, the team and ownership "are grateful for the opportunity to play NFL football this Fall."
Spanos and the Chargers organization is aware that the public health crisis is of utmost importance, even as fans, players and teams across the NFL long for a return to normalcy.
"Even though progress in the fight against COVID-19 has been uneven, the teamwork it has taken to get to the point where we can safely play regular season games has been remarkably steadfast and consistent," Spanos said in a prepared statement.
With the community "still in the throes of a pandemic," Spanos adds, "our only way out is to heed the guidance of state and local health officials and community leaders. Every decision we have made – and every decision we will make in the future – begins and ends with the health and safety of our community, players, coaches and staff in mind."
Meanwhile, the Chargers are putting in the work before they hit the gridiron.
Spanos concluded his statement, adding, "when conditions ultimately improve – and if we continue to work together, they will – we look forward to celebrating a new chapter of Chargers football with our fans, in person, fist bumps and all."
For now, the Charge Forward program will put fans where they want to be, as close to the games as they can get. Any questions, contact an account representative at guest.services@chargers.nfl.com or 877-242-7437 or visit www.chargers.com.
This article originally appeared on the Newport Beach-Corona Del Mar Patch
