The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United will play its home games in September at Mercedes-Benz Stadium like it was originally scheduled, except with one major difference: there will be no fans in attendance.
“The health and safety of our fans is our top priority,” said Steve Cannon, CEO, AMB Sports and Entertainment. “As much as we want to bring our Falcons and Atlanta United fans together at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their safety and wellbeing, and that of our associates, the competitors, officials and game staff, and our community as a whole will always come first. After thoughtful consideration and collaboration, it became clear to us that adhering to the guidance by national and local health officials was the right decision.”
This decision impacts the Falcons home opener of the 2020 season on Sept. 13 against the Seattle Seahawks and its Sept. 27 game against the Chicago Bears.
For United, the club had announced previously that it would play its first three home matches of the first phase of the continuation of the MLS regular season without fans.
The schedule for the second phase has not been released by the league but if United is to play any home matches in the month of September, it will do so without fans.
According to the statement released by AMBSE, it stated stadium and team leaders have collaborated with health professionals and other organizations across the country to implement additional protocols to permit fans back into Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But based on the feedback that has been received, it has been determined the potential risks of having large numbers of fans together are simply too significant.
