Odds Favor NFL To Have Live Fans, But League Unveils Refund Policy

• The NFL will release its regular season schedule on Thursday on the NFL Network.
• A new ticket refund policy implemented by the NFL will give a full refund to fans who bought tickets to any games that get cancelled.
• The NFL has the shortest odds to be the first league to play in front of live fans.

NEW YORK — The NFL regular season schedule is set to be released on Thursday during a live telecast on the NFL Network. The NFL is preparing to play a full season as planned despite the threat of COVID-19.

The NFL, not knowing whether or not their games will be able to have fans in attendance, has created a policy with the fans in mind. The policy which was sent out in a memo by Roger Goodell stated that all teams would have to give a full refund to any fans that paid for a ticket on any regular season game that might be cancelled.

"In preparing for all elements of the 2020 season, including the schedule release, we have considered the unique circumstances facing us this year, and have been clear that all of our decisions will be guided by medical and public health advice and will comply with government regulations," Goodell wrote in the memo. "We will be prepared to make necessary adjustments just as we have in other contexts, such as the offseason program and the draft.”

The NFL has been one of the few major sports leagues that has not had its regular season affected by the coronavirus (yet).

Goodell also wrote that “all clubs will have in place a policy under which, if a game is canceled, or is played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending, anyone purchasing a ticket directly from the club (i.e., season tickets, group sales and/or partial season plans) will have the option of either receiving a full refund or applying the amount paid toward a future ticket purchase directly from the club.”

Betting on The NFL To Play In Front of Live Fans

Super Bowl betting sites think the NFL has the best chance of being the first league to play games in front of fans. One reason for this is that the NFL’s season doesn’t start until September which gives the leagues ample time to put in place safety measures should fans be allowed to attend games again.

Bovada has listed a prop bet that features the four major sports leagues in North America and which will be the first to allow fans to attend.

Winner: NFL (+120). The NFL has the shortest odds of being the first sports league to allow fans in attendance for good reasons. These +120 odds should be taken with confidence by bettors because the NFL regular season begins in September, which by that time, COVID-19 could be contained allowing a limited number of fans to watch the games in person.

Other sports leagues such as the NBA and NHL have spoken publicly about continuing their season’s during the summer and with no fans in attendance. The MLB is the only other league that could rival the NFL.

The MLB has been considering playing all of the season’s games in Phoenix, Arizona in a type of biodome. But even then, spectators would not be allowed in the stands. The NFL has the most time to prepare, giving it the best chance and most favorable odds.

The 2020 NFL regular season will have opening kick-off on September 10 and will be followed by a full slate of weekend games.