No fans allowed at Philadelphia Eagles games this fall; Eagles Autism Challenge moved to virtual format

Philadelphia Eagles games and other professional sporting events are exempt from the city of Philadelphia’s moratorium on large public events through February 2021, but city officials said Tuesday fans would not be allowed at games because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That means the Eagles could host their eight scheduled regular season home games at Lincoln Financial Field this fall, but the stands would have to remain empty.

Philadelphia health commissioner Thomas Farley told reporters he thought protocols instituted by professional sports leagues “look pretty good” but having fans in attendance would not be safe.

“I do think that games can be played with the kind of safety precautions that they’re proposing. I do not think that they can have spectators at those games. There’s no way for them to be safe having a crowd there,” Farley said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I can’t say what the plans are for the league, but from a safety perspective, they can play games but not [have] crowds.”

The Eagles are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Rams at the Linc on Sept. 20 in Week 2 of the NFL season in their home opener.

Across the street in South Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Phillies are scheduled to open the 2020 Major League Baseball season against the Miami Marlins in an empty Citizens Bank Park on July 24.

“The Eagles are still going to be allowed to play, although without crowds. The Phillies will continue to be allowed to play, although without crowds,” city managing director Brian Abernathy said, according to The Inquirer.

Abernathy also said the city has been in communication with the Eagles, and the city told the team its “expectations are that they don’t have fans.”

According to NFL guidelines, local authorities can dictate whether fans will be allowed to attend games this fall, Abernathy said. Philadelphia is a city where fans would not be allowed. On Tuesday, the New England Patriots announced a reduced capacity and initial protocols for their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

After the city’s announcement, the Eagles announced that the third annual Eagles Autism Challenge will now take place virtually Sept. 26.

The Eagles Autism Challenge was initially scheduled for Saturday, May 16, but the Eagles announced the event’s postponement in April. Last month, the event was rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26 with modifications because of the coronavirus. That announcement also started the event would move to a virtual format if “circumstances prevent an in-person gathering.”

That is now the case.

“Although we won’t be together physically, we look forward to uniting our community virtually with the goal of taking action for autism,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “Please be assured that while the event will be virtual, we are working diligently to create an incredible experience for participants.”

The Eagles Autism Challenge has raised more than $9 million for “cutting-edge autism research and programs” since its inception in 2018. Last year, the event raised more than $3.37 million. More than 3,600 people participated in the event, including 40 Eagles players and 30 former players. The event is the brainchild of owner Jeffrey Lurie, whose younger brother was diagnosed with autism as a child.

Daniel Gallen covers the Philadelphia Eagles for PennLive. He can be reached at dgallen@pennlive.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Follow PennLive’s Philadelphia Eagles coverage on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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