Washington plans for full capacity at FedEx Field in 2021

The Washington Football Team announced Thursday that it plans to have full capacity next season at FedEx Field, joining other teams that expect full stadiums in the coming fall. 

The team’s announcement comes after the Baltimore Ravens told their fans that they plan to open M&T Bank Stadium to full capacity. Both the Ravens and Washington play in Maryland, with Washington’s stadium in Landover and the Ravens’ in Baltimore. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in March that the league’s plan was to have fully attended stadiums for the upcoming season.

A team spokesperson said Washington has not yet made a decision whether fans will be required to be fully vaccinated to attend games. The Buffalo Bills will require fans to show proof of vaccination to get into events based on an order from Erie County officials. 

“We are still assessing and working with local and state health officials,” the spokesperson said. 

Team president Jason Wright said in a statement that the team is working with state and local public health authorities to ensure proper protocols will remain in place at FedEx Field to help prevent the spread of the virus. 

Washington had a limited capacity of fans for just one game last season — allowing 3,000 for a loss to the New York Giants. The team waited until October to permit those fans, though pulled the plug again when cases spiked across the country. 

“Following the 2020 season, our organization was praised for its infection control approaches, and we now endeavor to build on this record by providing a safe and fun 2021 gameday experience for our fans, the best in all of football,” Wright said. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement he encouraged all eligible Marylanders to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Hogan has said he wants the state to “get back to normal” by Memorial Day. 

Maryland has loosened coronavirus restrictions over the past few months, with 50% capacity now allowed for outdoor events.