NFL expects full stadiums to start upcoming season

If all goes to plan, Broncos Country will be welcomed back to Empower Field at Mile High in full force starting this upcoming season.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league’s plan is to have all 32 stadiums open at full capacity at the start of this upcoming season.

“All of us in the NFL want to see every one of our fans back,” Goodell said. “Football is simply not the same without fans, and we expect to have full stadiums in the upcoming season.”

Obviously, those expectations rely on a number of factors, including the rate of COVID-19 cases and working with local municipalities to sign off on attendance plans.

In September, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved a variance for the Broncos to host 5,700 fans at its stadium for games. However, due to rising COVID-19 cases in Denver, the team nixed attendance for the final three games of the season in late November.

The announcement from the NFL comes as the Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche welcome in a limited number of fans for games starting this week.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Ball Arena would host 4,050 fans for Avalanche and Nuggets games — or 22 percent of capacity — starting Friday while 21,363 fans — 42.6 percent capacity — will be allowed for Rockies games at Coors Field starting Thursday.

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