Raiders to play first season in Las Vegas without fans

Posted August 03, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Raiders will have to wait another year to show off their fancy new home to their fans in Las Vegas.

The team sent a letter to season ticket holders on Monday saying that after discussion with health care officials and local leaders, the decision was made not to allow fans at games this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

'œWhile the current situation is not how any of us envisioned celebrating the opening of Allegiant Stadium, when circumstances permit we look forward to sharing an unparalleled GameDay Experience in the Magnificent Stadium you helped to build,'ť the team said in the letter.

Owner Mark Davis had said last month that he wouldn't go to any games at the new stadium unless fans were also allowed.

Both the New York Jets and Giants previously announced they would play without fans this season. Most other teams are hoping to be able to have at least limited crowds although that may not be possible at all venues.

The Raiders had been excited to show off their new $2 billion home after spending the past 25 seasons in the dilapidated Oakland Coliseum. The team was originally scheduled to play its first exhibition game on Aug. 27 against Arizona and first regular season game Sept. 21 against New Orleans.

But the exhibition season has been canceled and the Monday night game against the Saints will now be played without any fans.

The Raiders broke ground on the 65,000-seat domed stadium just off the Las Vegas Strip in November 2017, just months after the NFL approved the team's move from Oakland to Nevada.

Officials declared 'œsubstantial completion'ť of Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after nearly 1,000 days were spent building the Raiders' new home.

The first planned stadium event, a sold-out Garth Brooks concert, has already been rescheduled from Aug. 22 to Feb. 27 in a bid to prevent spread of the virus.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

FILE - In this July 22, 2020, file photo, lights adorn Allegiant Stadium, new home of the Las Vegas Raiders football team, as it nears completion in Las Vegas. Officials in Nevada have declared "substantial completion" after nearly 1,000 days of construction of the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas designed to be the home of the NFL's relocated Raiders. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.