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Coronavirus: Las Vegas Raiders to play 2020 season in new Allegiant Stadium with no fans

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders’ inaugural season in Allegiant Stadium will be played with a noticeable lack of fanfare thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The franchise announced Monday that fans will not be allowed in the stands of the new stadium during the 2020 season, NFL.com reported.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Raiders owner Mark Davis wrote Monday in an email to fans that eliminating fan access entirely made more sense than limiting attendance and arbitrarily excluding thousands of season-ticket holders.

“There is nothing more important to the Raider Organization than the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff, stadium workers and fans,” the club announced in its statement. “After intensive consultation with healthcare officials and state and community leaders, we have made the difficult decision to play the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 inaugural season at Allegiant Stadium without fans in attendance. This decision is based on our commitment to protect the health of our fans and the entire community in response to the coronavirus pandemic affecting us all.”

The Raiders are slated to host the New Orleans Saints in their home opener in Week 2 of the season, NFL.com reported.

Meanwhile, the franchise has told season-ticket holders they have the option of getting a full refund for 2020 without losing their seats or rolling their 2020 payment to 2021, the Review-Journal reported.

“This decision also ensures fairness to you, our PSL holders, given the challenges and potential inequities associated with determining who can and cannot attend specific games if the stadium were to operate at a reduced capacity. While 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 game day experience in the magnificent stadium you helped build,” the club’s statement continued.