CINCINNATI — The Bengals will play their Sept. 13 season opener without fans at Paul Brown Stadium, the team announced Tuesday night.
According to a letter sent to fans and a notice posted on the Bengals’ website, the team requested that the state of Ohio exempt it from broader rules about in-person spectators at athletic events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state said no. On Sept. 13, Paul Brown Stadium will hold the Bengals, the L.A. Chargers and no one else.
“While we want fans to attend our games, we accept and understand the State of Ohio's position,” Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn wrote in a news release. “We will monitor the situation moving forward and continue exploring whether fans may attend games as the season goes along.”
Season ticket holders should expect word from the team soon about their plans for the rest of the season, according to the release.
