• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 23, 2025

Fans Or No Fans

Photo Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

While the timeline for the full return of live sports is becoming clearer in the U.S., when fans will be able to attend games is still up in the air.

National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said that rapid coronavirus testing, which can produce a result in under an hour, will allow Americans to attend crowded sports events this fall.

“We want to see Americans have a chance to have some normal experiences of enjoying life,” Collins told a U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing. “I do believe this should be possible.” Previously, White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed doubt over the NFL playing this fall unless the players were in a bubble.

Last month, NASCAR reintroduced fans at select tracks in significantly limited numbers, including 5,000 fans at Talladega Superspeedway — which has a normal main grandstand capacity of 80,000. All fans in attendance were screened before entering, required to wear face coverings, and mandated to social distance.

The Professional Bull Riders, one of the first sports organizations to restart live events in the U.S., will also become one of the first to have an indoor ticketed event on July 10 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Capacity will be limited to 50%, and fans will be given complimentary face coverings and will only be allowed to use mobile tickets. The venue will also have cashless concessions and prepackaged food.

When the USL Championship resumes live games on July 11, several teams across the league plan to allow limited spectators. The Real Monarchs, based in Utah, announced yesterday that it plans to host 5,300 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, which has a normal capacity of 20,700.  Later in the month, the NWSL Challenge Cup will also hold games at the stadium without fans.

While the NBA, NHL, and MLS will all resume their seasons without fans, it remains unclear if MLB will allow fans in certain markets. New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner told YES Network that he expects to have fans in Yankee Stadium this season, potentially starting at 20% to 30% of full capacity.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.

Pacers Lose Haliburton in NBA Finals—and Possibly for a Season

Haliburton entered the game with a right calf strain he played Game 6 with.

Kevin Durant Traded to Houston in Blockbuster Deal

Houston was one of Durant’s preferred destinations.
exclusive

Lakers Reporter Dan Woike Leaves LA Times for The Athletic

Woike had been at the L.A. Times for eight years.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

What Rolapp’s NFL Exit Means—and the Top Candidates to Replace Him

NFL media boss Brian Rolapp leaves; the league hunts for his replacement.
May 23, 2025

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Gabby Thomas
exclusive
June 12, 2025

Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up..

Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Donald Trump, Nick Saban
May 22, 2025

Proposed Trump College Sports Commission May Never Happen

The White House is not sure of its plans.
May 15, 2025

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Allyson Felix
May 1, 2025

Allyson Felix on Olympic Pay, Nike, and Track’s Big-Money Era

Felix talked to FOS about her push to help Olympic parents and more.
Jordon Hudson
April 30, 2025

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS of ‘Selectively’ Editing Awkward Girlfriend Clip

The North Carolina coach cited his “professional” relationship with Jordon Hudson.