Washington Football Team to Begin 2020 Without Fans at FedExField Amid COVID-19

The Washington Football Team announced Wednesday they will start the 2020 NFL season without fans in attendance at FedExField because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's a decision that will be "re-evaluated by all parties should the situation surrounding the pandemic improve over the course of the season."

Team owner Dan Snyder said in the announcement:

"We are fortunate to host the best fans in the NFL year after year, but the well-being of those supporters, along with that of our players, coaches and each and every member of our gameday staff is simply too important, and the current knowledge of COVID-19 too unpredictable, to welcome our fan base to FedExField to start the season.

"We were the first team in the league to recall our scouts and other personnel from the field back in mid-March and have been monitoring this evolving situation ever since. This decision was not an easy one, but after several discussions with federal, state and local officials—along with input from some of the nation's foremost medical experts, based right here in the nation's capital—we are confident that it is the right one. We are working to find ways to make our fans' presence felt in new and innovative ways for 2020 and can't wait to welcome the community through the gates as soon as it's safe."

The announcement noted the team will provide further information about how fans can support the team ahead of its Week 1 home game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 13.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported one idea being considered is "virtual fans," which can allow people to utilize a home webcam to "attend" the game. The NBA has used the concept for its "bubble" games at the Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida.

The franchise announced in July its former nickname, a racist slur for Native Americans, would be retired and replaced by Washington Football Team until a new nickname was selected.

The team will retain the same color scheme, but the logo on the helmets will be replaced by numbers:

Although the NFL has so far left decisions about whether fans can attend games up to individual teams based on regional COVID-19 guidelines, it confirmed in July face coverings would be mandatory for anybody in attendance at a game during the 2020 season:

Week 1 of the campaign is scheduled to kick off Sept. 10 with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

The regular season is scheduled to run through Jan. 3 followed by the playoffs, which are slated to conclude with Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.