49ers make plans for fanless first game
Virus safety: Spectators might be allowed at Levi’s later in season
Nineteen days ahead of their season opener, the 49ers announced Tuesday that they will begin the 2020 season without spectators at home games because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The team, in a statement, left open the possibility of allowing fans at Levi’s Stadium later in the season. The 49ers open Sept. 13 at home against Arizona and play their next two games on the road, against the New York Jets and New York Giants.
San Francisco then has three consecutive home games: Oct. 4 against Philadelphia, Oct. 11 against Miami and Oct. 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.
“It’s disappointing, but I also understand it,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said . “There are a lot of adjustments everyone has to make in how the world is right now. So I totally understand it, but it’s not going to be that (much) fun.
“You love having the fans in there. They pump you up. You hear the noise, whether you’re watching on TV or in person. It’s still a little unusual for me watching baseball and basket
ball without fans. We’ll have to go through it, too. Hopefully, it won’t last.”
Santa Clara County’s publichealth department allows no more than 60 people at outdoor gatherings, according to guidelines posted on its website. The directive specifically states this is the maximum number of people allowed “even if the space is big enough to allow proper social distancing for more than 60 people.”
County officials, in addressing the issue of professional sporting events, seem conscious about avoiding interaction between fans and players.
“Our ultimate goal is to protect the general community from COVID19,” a spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Chronicle. “We reviewed the Earthquakes and the 49ers COVID19 safety protocols and worked with both teams to protect the general community from potential exposure to any infected players or team staff.”
NFL teams have announced a wide range of policies about fan attendance this season. The Dolphins, for example, will allow a maximum of 13,000 spectators, or about 20% of capacity at Hard Rock Stadium, at their home opener Sept. 20. Kansas City, similarly, plans to permit about 16,000 fans for its opening game Sept. 10.
Many teams will not have fans at earlyseason home games, leaving themselves wiggle room if the COVID19 crisis eases or publichealth officials amend guidelines. The Rams and Chargers, for instance, announced Tuesday they will hold games without spectators at SoFi Stadium “until further notice.”
Some teams, including the
Raiders — who are preparing for their inaugural season in Las Vegas — have said they will not allow fans at home games all season.
As for the 49ers, seasonticket holders can credit their 2020 payments to the 2021 season, according to the team, or receive a full refund. If the 49ers eventually permit fans at home games this season, then seasonticket holders who credited their payment to 2021 “will receive priority access to singlegame tickets,” the team said.
Tight end George Kittle, one of the team’s most gregarious personalities, downplayed the impact of playing games in empty stadiums — while also acknowledging the 49ers and other teams will need to manufacture their own energy.
“I’ve played in (high school) JV games on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., where my mom is the only person in the stands,” Kittle said. “That’s what football is — you play no matter the time or location. I think we have a great team that will rise to the challenge. Whoever gives off the best energy every game, as a team, will definitely have an advantage.”
Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick