If there are fans at Bank of America Stadium this season, it will be very limited along with strict guidelines due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Carolina Panthers announced on Thursday that home games will have reduced seating capacity based on guidelines from state and local government, medical professionals and public health officials throughout the 2020 NFL season.
The plans were first sent in a letter to the team's Permanent Seat License owners.
"In order to accommodate as many PSL owners as possible in this reduced-capacity scenario, we plan to make a limited number of home games available to each account," the team said in the email. "The number of games each PSL owner will have access to will be determined by factors such as approved capacity, overall demand and, in some cases, seating location."
In the email, the Panthers asked owners to either opt into using tickets in 2020 or opt-out without penalty.
Owners who opt-out will have the option to carry the credit over to the 2021 season and future ticket purchases or receive a full refund.
PSL owners that opt-in will have the opportunity to select from a predetermined set of games and will unlikely be seated in their regular seat location. Season tickets will ever back to current seating locations in 2021.
Fans that bought single-game tickets will receive a full refund since those tickets are no longer available due to the reduced capacity.
If fans are allowed to attend games, there will be enhanced protective measures including health screening protocols, required face coverings, access to sanitizing stations throughout the facility, contactless/cashless transactions and physical distancing amplified via stadium signage.
The Riot Report reported Wednesday that the team plans to have around 20,000 fans in the stadium. Bank of America Stadium holds a capacity of 75,000 people.
Carolina says they will provide additional communication outlining specific details on health and safety protocols and timing of the seat selection process to those who opt-in over the coming weeks.
Around the league, Philadelphia officials told the Eagles that they expect no fans at their games this season.
The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens have also already announced reduced seating for the coming year.