The Falcons on Thursday became the latest NFL team to inform fans how it’ll handle 2020 season tickets in light of sharply reduced seating capacities forced by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Falcons said season ticket holders can receive credits for payments already made and can use those credits toward 2021 season tickets, personal seat license payments or, if available, 2020 single-game tickets.
Season ticket holders who prefer refunds may reach out to a service representative, the team said in a letter to ticket holders, “and we will work with you directly on the best solution for you.” The Falcons clarified that anyone who wants a refund on their paid 2020 season tickets can receive one, although personal seat license payments are not refundable.
At this point, more than 20 of the 32 NFL teams have announced offers of credits or refunds for season tickets. Although the details vary slightly from team to team, the common thread is an acknowledgement that if games are played with fans in stadiums this year, social-distancing requirements will reduce seating capacities to a fraction of the level needed to accommodate teams’ season ticket bases.
“As I’m sure you understand, the game-day experience this season will be different from what you’ve come to expect at Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” Steve Cannon, CEO of Falcons parent company AMB Sports & Entertainment, and Rich McKay, president and CEO of the Falcons, wrote in a letter to season ticket holders.
“As we have been preparing for the opportunity to play in front of fans, the NFL and government regulations are requiring changes in game-day operations. Some expected changes include, but are not limited to, limited capacity seating, mandatory face coverings, the absence of pregame and halftime activities and other measures to ensure the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and you, our fans.”
For season ticket holders still interested in attending select home games this year, the Falcons said they will distribute a survey to identify which games individuals would like to attend and then will hold a drawing to determine who can attend each game “if that is ultimately allowed by the NFL and local authorities amid the current circumstances.”
If fans are allowed, the Falcons didn’t say how many they project could be in 71,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium per game. Several other NFL teams with similar size stadiums have said they expect their seating capacities to be in the range of 13,000 to 20,000 at most.
The Falcons said that whether or not season ticket holders attend any home games this year, their seat locations will be protected for 2021.
In the letter, the Falcons said 2021 season ticket prices will remain at 2020 levels for any fans who keep the credits in their accounts, rather than seeking refunds. The Falcons also said fans who are still paying installments on their personal seat licenses will have the option to defer their 2020 or 2021 PSL payment by one year and extend their payment terms by one year.
The letter said more information will be provided to season ticket holders next week about “these financial options, game selection process, request of tickets and additional health and safety measures that will be implemented for the 2020 season.”
