NFL expects to have full stadiums this season

Roger Goodell said unprompted on a conference call Tuesday that the NFL expects to have full stadiums in the 2021 season.

“We are also discussing our plans to welcome back all of our fans for the 2021 season across the country at all NFL stadiums,” Goodell said during his opening remarks while announcing the league’s expansion to a 17-game regular season. “All of us in the NFL want to see every one of our fans back. Football is simply not the same without fans, and we expect to have full stadiums in the upcoming season.”

Goodell’s expectations are contingent on a lot of other variables, however, so while more fans will be in the seats, there is no guarantee all 30 buildings will be full.

If anything, Goodell sounded more hopeful on Tuesday, like he was trying to speak the reality of full stadiums into existence for a league that cashed in big on a recent media rights deal but also wants its ticket revenue to bounce back — well aware that it may not right away.

Any plan to increase fan attendance will only be contingent upon the approval and policies of state governors and local governments.

The NFL also is not requiring personnel or players to get vaccinated. They are encouraging it, according to Goodell. Similarly, the commissioner said the NFL’s policy for fans and vaccinations would be education. In other words, the NFL and its medical team will advocate in favor of the vaccine but will not require it.

How the lack of vaccine requirements impacts fan decisions remains to be seen.

“We are encouraging all our personnel to get vaccinations and we will be working with the NFLPA on all of these issues and continue to communicate with our clubs,” Goodell said.