LA Rams 2020 Season Opens Fri. Sept. 13, To Empty SoFi Stadium
LOS ANGELES, CA — Opening the inaugural game at the Los Angeles SoFi Stadium on Friday the 13th might seem unlucky. Still, fans of the Los Angeles Rams are looking forward to a game day like never before. Unfortunately, we'll watch from our 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."
Season ticket holders were given this message:
September 13 is going to be a historic night when we open the first stadium built for Rams fans on Sunday Night Football. Unfortunately, while SoFi Stadium is ready for football, it is not yet ready to welcome our fans. In following local and state guidelines, our opener against the Dallas Cowboys will be played without fans in attendance. We will continue to evaluate the ability to safely host fans at the Rams House and keep you updated should we be able to do so at some point this season.
The Rams reported that Season Ticket Members received emails with information about deferring tickets to the 2021 season in mid-July.
Current season ticket holders were offered exclusive benefits, such as a discount on cardboard cutouts for gameday, fantasy football leagues, and if that isn't enough—for charity—full refund for the 2020 season or credit toward the 2021 season tickets.
Rams owner E. Stanley Kroenke appealed to the fans and followers, saying that it is the firm desire to fulfill the promise they've made to Ram's fans, the NFL, and the region.
"We won't speculate on any timeline as to when fans will be able to join us," Kroenke said in a statement. "The health and well-being of our employees, community, and the nation remains our highest concern.
The Rams organization knows that there are far more important things going on in the world, but acknowledges that return to sports is a way to bring people back together again.
"Millions across California and the country are on the front lines fighting COVID-19, caring for our neighbors and protecting our communities," he wrote. "We applaud their selfless and tireless heroism and thank them for their many sacrifices. All of us can't wait until the day we come together to celebrate life and resiliency through sports. Until then, we ask that everyone continue to stay safe and support one another."
To learn more about purchasing season tickets for the 2021 season, visit www.therams.com/seasontickets.
This article originally appeared on the Los Angeles Patch
