What Playing In Empty Stadiums Is Costing Every NFL Franchise

The National Football League is the biggest powerhouse sports league in the United States, but that doesn’t shield it from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Although TV rights are still the biggest driver of revenue, franchises are taking a massive hit on their margins without having an opportunity to sell everything from jerseys to hot dogs to the fans who show up to see it live.

Only 18 teams have allowed any fans, and none have allowed full attendance. So which NFL teams are taking the biggest hit?

Here’s a look at how the franchises are suffering with fan attendance all but wiped out because of the coronavirus pandemic.

• Average attendance: 51,898
• Average attendance in 2020: 14,229
• Average ticket price: $125.25
• Revenue per home game: $52.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $6.5 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $52 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $45.875 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $367 million

Annual revenue: $419 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $304.12 million

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• Average attendance: 47,179
• Average attendance in 2020: 9,243
• Average ticket price: $119.23
• Revenue per home game: $49.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $5.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $45 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $44 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $352 million

Annual revenue: $397 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $319.16 million

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• Average attendance: 63,085
• Average attendance in 2020: 15,701
• Average ticket price: $114.92
• Revenue per home game: $55.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.25 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $58 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.125 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $385 million

Annual revenue: $443 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $332.74 million

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• Average attendance: 64,509
• Average attendance in 2020: 11,788
• Average ticket price: $116.26
• Revenue per home game: $52.75 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.5 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $60 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $42.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $362 million

Annual revenue: $422 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $344.89 million

• Average attendance: 61,110
• Average attendance in 2020: 9,932
• Average ticket price: $128.87
• Revenue per home game: $53.25 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.875 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $63 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $45.375 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $363 million

Annual revenue: $426 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $356.76 million

• Average attendance: 73,465
• Average attendance in 2020: 13,086
• Average ticket price: $107.19
• Revenue per home game: $54.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.875 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $63 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $46.5 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $372 million

Annual revenue: $435 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $357.52 million

• Average attendance: 67,431
• Average attendance in 2020: 9,448
• Average ticket price: $109.37
• Revenue per home game: $53.875 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.375 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $59 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $46.5 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $372 million

Annual revenue: $431 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $370.61 million

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• Average attendance: 63,067
• Average attendance in 2020: 12,142
• Average ticket price: $140.72
• Revenue per home game: $57.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $8.875 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $71 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.75 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $390 million

Annual revenue: $461 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $372.25 million

• Average attendance: 52,549
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $123.69
• Revenue per home game: $47.875 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $6.5 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $52 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $41.375 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $331 million

Annual revenue: $383 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $383 million

• Average attendance: 31,750
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $200.79
• Revenue per home game: $49 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $6.375 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $51 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $42.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $341 million

Annual revenue: $392 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $392 million

Editor’s note: Figures from Dignity Sports Park, the 2019 home of the Chargers

• Average attendance: 61,323
• Average attendance in 2020: 2,800
• Average ticket price: $116.19
• Revenue per home game: $52.75 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.125 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $57 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $45.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $365 million

Annual revenue: $422 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $402.73 million

• Average attendance: 61,342
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $124.30
• Revenue per home game: $51.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $61 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $43.75 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $350 million

Annual revenue: $411 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $411 million

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• Average attendance: 68,839
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $101.69
• Revenue per home game: $51.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $7 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $56 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $44.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $357 million

Annual revenue: $413 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $413 million

• Average attendance: 72,220
• Average attendance in 2020: 5,454
• Average ticket price: $133.27
• Revenue per home game: $55.875 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $77 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $46.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $370 million

Annual revenue: $447 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $413.24 million

• Average attendance: 62,237
• Average attendance in 2020: 5,292
• Average ticket price: $144.61
• Revenue per home game: $57.125 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $72 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.125 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $385 million

Annual revenue: $457 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $418.14 million

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• Average attendance: 71,229
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $124.60
• Revenue per home game: $52.875 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $8.875 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $71 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $44 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $352 million

Annual revenue: $423 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $423 million

Editor’s note: Figures from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the 2019 home of the Rams.

• Average attendance: 75,937
• Average attendance in 2020: 5,280
• Average ticket price: $133.33
• Revenue per home game: $58.75 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $10.125 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $81 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $389 million

Annual revenue: $470 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $437.32 million

• Average attendance: 71,793
• Average attendance in 2020: 12,390
• Average ticket price: $139.29
• Revenue per home game: $66.25 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $10 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $80 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $56.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $450 million

Annual revenue: $530 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $438.53 million

• Average attendance: 70,627
• Average attendance in 2020: 2,172
• Average ticket price: $127.43
• Revenue per home game: $57.5 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $72 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.5 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $388 million

Annual revenue: $460 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $445.85 million

• Average attendance: 73,082
• Average attendance in 2020: 3,295
• Average ticket price: $141.96
• Revenue per home game: $58.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $10.375 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $83 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $386 million

Annual revenue: $469 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $447.85 million

• Average attendance: 66,849
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $142.11
• Revenue per home game: $56 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.5 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $76 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $46.50 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $372 million

Annual revenue: $448 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $448 million

• Average attendance: 71,601
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $134.43
• Revenue per home game: $58.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $77 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $48.75 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $390 million

Annual revenue: $467 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $467 million

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• Average attendance: 68,990
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $141.32
• Revenue per home game: $59 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.75 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $78 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $49.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $394 million

Annual revenue: $472 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $472 million

• Average attendance: 61,916
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $151.41
• Revenue per home game: $59.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.375 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $75 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $49.25 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $402 million

Annual revenue: $477 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $477 million

• Average attendance: 77,845
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $123.64
• Revenue per home game: $60.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $9.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $77 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $51 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $408 million

Annual revenue: $485 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $485 million

• Average attendance: 78,523
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $135.31
• Revenue per home game: $62.125 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $10.625 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $85 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $51.5 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $412 million

Annual revenue: $497 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $497 million

• Average attendance: 65,488
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $127.89
• Revenue per home game: $63 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $8.375 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $67 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $54.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $437 million

Annual revenue: $504 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $504 million

• Average attendance: 69,783
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $150.47
• Revenue per home game: $63.625 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $10.5 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $84 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $53.125 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $425 million

Annual revenue: $509 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $509 million

• Average attendance: 70,305
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $160.02
• Revenue per home game: $66.25 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $11.25 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $84 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $55 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $440 million

Annual revenue: $530 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $530 million

• Average attendance: 74,664
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $164.07
• Revenue per home game: $68.375 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $12.25 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $98 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $56.125 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $449 million

Annual revenue: $547 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $547 million

• Average attendance: 65,753
• Average attendance in 2020: 0
• Average ticket price: $199.61
• Revenue per home game: $78.75 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $13.125 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $105 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $65.625 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $525 million

Annual revenue: $630 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $630 million

• Average attendance: 90,929
• Average attendance in 2020: 26,466
• Average ticket price: $131.97
• Revenue per home game: $122.5 million
• Gate receipts per home game: $12 million
• Yearly gate receipts: $96 million
• Food and merchandise revenue per home game: $110.5 million
• Yearly food and merchandise revenue: $884 million

Annual revenue: $980 million

Estimated revenue lost in 2020 season: $694.76 million

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Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article. 

Methodology:In order to find what a season played in empty stadiums would cost each franchise, GOBankingRates looked at Forbes’ 2020 team evaluations for the National Football League (NFL). Using these reports and attendance reports for the most recent completed season from ESPN, GOBankingRates found the following data points to measure the revenue each franchise will lose out on in one season without fan attendance: (1) yearly revenue, (2) revenue per home game, (3) yearly gate reciepts, (4) gate recipets per home game, (5) average attendance, (6) average ticket price per home game, (7) yearly food and merchandise revenue, (8) food and merchandise revenue per home game. All data was collected on and up to date as of December 14, 2020.