Throughout the time of COVID-19, the months without sports were difficult for all of everyone. An early summer night without baseball, the month of May without the NBA and NHL playoffs, and the world-renown Masters not being played in April are all foreign sights to us. Eventually, our beloved sports resumed, but, not in the same way 

The NBA, NHL, MLB, and now NFL and college football have all resumed. Some leagues have allowed fan attendance in one way or form, while others have gone different directions and completely banned it. 

NBA

The NBA went with a bubble format. No one was allowed in, and nobody was allowed out. The end of the NBA regular season and the NBA playoffs were played in Orlando, Florida as the NBA partnered with Disney to use their hotels and campuses to finish their season. Games were played in small gyms that held players, coaches, television staff, and some journalists.

Eventually, for the later rounds of the playoffs, some family members and close friends were allowed to attend games. The small gyms and fake crowd noise was definitely a step down from the usually packed arenas seen during the NBA playoffs. More recently, the NBA announced plans to hold a full 72-game season in 2021-2022, however it is unknown and unlikely that there will be any fan attendance.

MLB

The MLB went a different route than the NBA. The 60-game regular season and extended playoff format were very different compared to the traditional 162-game season.

Each team was to play within their respective regions. Central Division teams only played teams from the two Central Division, East Division teams only played teams from two East Divisions, and West Division teams only played games against teams in the two West Divisions. Pretty simple as this helped prevent teams from traveling cross-country and contracting the virus.

During this 60-game season, there were no fans allowed within the stadium whatsoever. However, this changed in the playoffs. Like the regular season, the first two rounds were played without fans in attendance. Then for the NLCS and World Series, these series were played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and were open to 11,500 fans. Although nowhere near full capacity, some fans really help the World Series atmosphere.

It was revealed that in 2021, the MLB will have a full spring training and play 162 games. In 2020, MLB teams lost a collective $3 billion without fans. The MLB is working on a plan to find a safe way to allow fans in the stands for 2021.

NFL

The NFL had a season very similar to their normal season. Each team plays their normal 16 games. Differences include a limited training camp, no preseason games, and limited to no fan attendance. Unlike the MLB, NFL teams are able to travel to any part of the country to play games.

In the NFL, teams are allowing fans based on state COVID guidelines. This last week (week 7) the Eagles allowed 7,500 fans, Washington allowed 10%, Saints allowed up to 3,000, Houston allowed 20%, Cincinnati allowed 12,000, the Titans had 12.5%, Denver had 5,700, Arizona allowed 1,200, and the Falcons allowed limited capacity.

Each team’s attendance varies by week. For example, last week the cowboys had 25,000 fans in attendance. That is more than any other team. These limited attendance games aren’t quite the same. However, it is a good way for franchisees to bring in some sort of revenue. 

The NFL has gone through some minor schedule changes due to COVID-19, however. Such as in week four when Tennessee Titans contracted COVID-19 in their practice facility, and the game between them and Pittsburgh Steelers was moved to week eight, their original byes. COVID-19 also gave the New England Patriots a hard time, when they had to close the facilities before a game against the Denver Broncos.

The NFL has handled these situations very well, as they have been very flexible with their very structured schedule.

NCAA Football

Perhaps the most mediocre comeback in sports has been College Football. It’s safe to say that the NCAA was all over the place in the months before the season. The verdict on whether or not the season would be played went back and forth from “yes” and “no” many times. Many team’s seasons were in question as certain conferences decided to play while others were uncertain.

Conferences like the ACC, American Conference, and Big 12 opened up play in the first couple weeks of September. Then, the SEC started their schedule the next week. This past weekend, the Big 10 opened up their eight-game season as well. And finally, the PAC 12 is scheduled to start a shortened season on November 3rd.

The College Football Playoff has been in question all year. How will the four teams be selected with all the differing schedules? Will each conference have a fair chance?

At this point, it is hard to tell. As far as fans go, it goes from university to university Some schools have not allowed any fans, others have allowed students, faculty, and family, and some have even opened a percentage of the seating to the public. The anticipated College Football season is back, but the stadiums filled with roaring fans will be missed. 

Sports like Golf, Soccer, and Hockey have played as well. The PGA has been playing since early summer with no fans. The NHL used a bubble setting very similar to the NBA, and Soccer all over the world has been playing games as they can.

Citizens all over the United States missed sports and look forward to watching them for the rest of the year.