NFL releases 2020 schedule with the Chiefs set to host the Texans in September 10 opener

NFL releases 2020 schedule with the Chiefs set to host the Texans in September 10 opener – but stadiums could be more than half empty if coronavirus crisis continues

  •  Kansas City Chiefs will host the Houston Texans in the 2020 NFL season opener, scheduled for September 10
  • The League has planned a regular sixteen-game season, but Commissioner Roger Goodell says he is ‘prepared to make adjustments’
  • All teams have implemented a full-refund policy for ticket-holders if games are cancelled or fans are prohibited from attending 
  • The New York Jets have announced they will not sell single-game tickets, and the Miami Dolphins president says Hard Rock Stadium could be 75 percent empty
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

The NFL has unveiled its 2020 schedule, with the season set to kick off in Kansas City on Thursday, September 10. 

Defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs will host the Houston Texans for the opener, which will be played at Arrowhead Stadium. 

The NFL has scheduled a regular sixteen-game season, despite the unfolding coronavirus pandemic, with Super Bowl set to take place in Tampa, Florida on February 7, 2021. 

However, the League’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, has warned that he is ‘prepared to make adjustments as necessary’ should the COVID-19 pandemic stretch into the later part of the year. 

‘The release of the NFL schedule is something our fans eagerly anticipate every year, as they look forward with hope and optimism to the season ahead,’ he stated.

Super Bowl champ Patrick Maholmes will help kick off the 2020 NFL season with the opener scheduled for September 10

The NFL has unveiled its 2020 schedule, with the season set to kick off in Kansas City on Thursday, September 10. Defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs will host the Houston Texans for the opener, which will be played at Arrowhead Stadium. Pictured left: Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Right: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

The League's commissioner, Roger Goodell, has warned that he is 'prepared to make adjustments as necessary' should the COVID-19 pandemic stretch into the later part of the year

The League’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, has warned that he is ‘prepared to make adjustments as necessary’ should the COVID-19 pandemic stretch into the later part of the year

 ‘In preparing to play the season as scheduled, we will continue to make our decisions based on the latest medical and public health advice, in compliance with government regulations, and with appropriate safety protocols to protect the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel, and our communities. ‘

‘We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this offseason in safely and efficiently conducting key activities such as free agency, the virtual draft off-season program, and the 2020 NFL Draft.’ 

In anticipation of such changes, the NFL has also formulated a ticket refund plan. 

 A memo sent to all 32 teams by Goodell on Tuesday outlines a baseline for fill refunds on any tickets purchased directly from the clubs. 

‘If a game is cancelled, or is played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending, anyone purchasing a ticket directly from the club (i.e., season tickets, group sales and/or partial season plans) will have the option of either receiving a full refund or applying the amount paid toward a future ticket purchase directly from the club,’ Goodell wrote. 

Fans are seen packed into Hard Rock Stadium for Super Bowl LIV back in February. Scenes such as these are unlikely in this

Fans are seen packed into Hard Rock Stadium for Super Bowl LIV back in February. Scenes such as these are unlikely in this 

 Ticketmaster and SeatGeek have also pledged to follow the same full-refund policy. 

Meanwhile, The New York Times released a report Thursday claiming NFL teams are ‘preparing for games with fewer fans’ due to the coronavirus crisis. 

The New York Jets will not not be selling single-game tickets due to the pandemic, claiming it is the most ‘prudent’ thing to do.  

Elswhere, Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel says Hard Rock Stadium may only be filled at 25 per cent of its capacity.  

‘We would have times to come in for security at different gates so people would be separated out in terms of when they enter the stadium,’ he previously told Good Morning America. 

‘We would exit the stadium much like a church environment, where each row exits so people aren’t filing out all at the same time in a herd.’

Crowded stadiums such as this are unlikely to be seen this season. Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel says Hard Rock Stadium may only be filled at 25 per cent of its capacity

Crowded stadiums such as this are unlikely to be seen this season. Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel says Hard Rock Stadium may only be filled at 25 per cent of its capacity

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