Cowboys, Bucs Latest Teams To Eliminate Season Tickets For '20

The Cowboys and Buccaneers became the latest NFL teams to eliminate season tickets for the '20 season in light of the pandemic, a further sign of pessimism growing around the potential for fans inside NFL stadiums. “Capacity at AT&T Stadium will be limited,” reads a Cowboys statement. The Bucs said: “Unfortunately, we will be unable to re-seat the entire Season Pass Member base across a limited number of seats.” Neither team estimated how many seats would be available.

Nine teams have now done away with season tickets altogether, asking those customers instead to opt in to possible single-game sales if allowed. The Cowboys and most other clubs have asked those fans if they want to opt in to those one-off sales or sit out entirely until ’21. The Bucs, however, automatically are rolling over accounts to ’21 and giving those fans access to single-game seats this year. If fans want refunds, they have to opt out by Aug. 9 and won’t have access to this year’s games.

Taking this approach is a recognition that attendance is likely to be capped at very low levels, if permitted at all. While other teams have taken this step, it’s particularly resonant in Dallas and Tampa, two markets where politicians had been bullish about large crowds until recent surges in COVID-19 cases. Dallas consistently sells out the league’s second-largest stadium, and the Bucs’ long-running attendance problems were set to turn around after signing Tom Brady spurred new sales.

DALLAS PLANS: Once specific seating plans are known, season-ticket holders who “opt in” will be given the chance to buy a limited number of single-game seats via team ticketing sponsor SeatGeek. Season-ticket holders may opt out of '20 altogether without losing their tenure, seat locations and other benefits for '21. They could still get a shot at single-game tickets on the open SeatGeek platform, but the team says “expect inventory to be extremely limited.” The team will be adding one year to the term of all PSL holder agreements. Fans who have already paid for '20 can get an account credit or a refund.

TAMPA PLAN: Fans’ entire '20 payment will be credited to the '21 season as a default option, but fans can also ask for a refund. As a measure to encourage people to take the account credit option, fans who keep their money with the team will be given first dibs on whatever seats are available to be sold in '20. However, in either case, fans’ status and seat location will be protected in '21.

Download the NFL Team Ticket Refund Policies