The Tennessee Titans will kick off the 2020-21 season without any fans in attendance, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor John Cooper announced the news on Tuesday, August 18, during his Metro Coronavirus Task Force press conference, which also applies to Nashville’s professional soccer team as well.

“Across the United States, there’s a wide range of approaches to in-person attendance for professional sports based on a wide range of public health policies and the prevalence of the coronavirus in those locations,” the mayor stated. “We must take a cautious approach recognizing that we cannot predict our COVID-19 metrics further into the fall sports season. I’m grateful both to the Tennessee Titans and Nashville SC for working closely with our Office of the Metro Public Health Department while prioritizing the safety of their players, staff and our residents.”

Titans President and CEO Burke Nihill and Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre, whose team will follow the same protocol as the Titans, both attended the press conference with Mayor Cooper.

“There’s certainly no denying that we wish we would be opening our home schedule on Sept. 20 in front of fans,” Burke acknowledged. “NFL football is a game meant to be played in front of a loud, cheering crowd and no one desires that outcome more than us. However, these are not normal times and as civic leaders in this great city, we understand and support Mayor Cooper and Metro Nashville Public Health Department’s decision today to delay welcoming fans into Nissan Stadium.”

The CEO of the Titans franchise insists that, with or without fans in the stands, the Titans are committed to bringing their best in the upcoming season.

“I can assure you of this: this virus will not deter us from our mission to bring you an exciting, competitive season of Titans football,” Burke said. “We hope our fans can cheer us on in Nissan Stadium soon, and in the meantime, look forward to feeling everyone’s support and energy from home as we kick off the season with Monday Night Football, Sept. 14.”

For now, Mayor Cooper is only stating that fans cannot be in attendance for both the professional football and soccer games through September. The Titans will begin the 2020 NFL season on September 14, playing the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, as part of ESPN‘s Monday Night Football games. The first home game will take place on September 20, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Keep track of updates at TennesseeTitans.com.