KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs announced Wednesday that there won’t be any season tickets for the 2020 season.
With the expectation that health guidelines will force Arrowhead Stadium to have fewer fans in the stands, the Chiefs are automatically crediting all season ticket member payments for the 2020 season forward to the 2021 season.
“I have to say, it’s just too bad for the Chiefs Kingdom because we have so much to celebrate," season ticker member Christopher Munsterman said. "It’s like we’ve waited all of these years to be in this situation and we’re here then it’s like,'Bam!,' something else hits us, just like the past 50 years waiting on the Super Bowl. It just feels like a little bit of the curse continues."
All tickets for Chiefs games in 2020 will be sold through single-game only sales once the allowed reduced capacity for Arrowhead is determined by the NFL and public health officials.
“People around the country and around the world are getting accustomed to a constantly changing environment and the same goes for all of us in Chiefs Kingdom,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement. “While our goal all offseason was to have a full stadium as we begin our Super Bowl title defense, it is out of consideration of the health and safety of our fans, employees, coaches and players that we move forward with a reduced-capacity plan that adheres to local guidelines and expert recommendations.”
Single-game ticket sales already made for 2021 will be refunded at the point of sale.
“Because the club cannot fairly re-seat the entire season ticket base across a limited number of seats, all Season Ticket Members will automatically have their 2020 payment credited for the 2021 season without any action on their part,” the Chiefs said in a statement.
It also remains possible the NFL and local health officials' guidance will prohibit any fans from being in the stands.
“This is just a weird year and we understand that and we’re just going to have to live with it," season ticket member Tod Carbajo said. "We want this thing to stop from spreading, so if it helps us with next year's season, we’re all for it."
The MLS, NBA and MLB are at various stages of returning to their 2020 seasons without any fans in attendance at games.
Season ticket members may also request a full refund by contacting their ticket representative.
Season ticket members who roll their 2020 payments forward as a credit toward the 2021 season will get priority access to any single-game ticket sales eventually announced based on tenure.
Tickets will only go on sale to the general public after the presale for season ticket members.
Season ticket members will receive a few other benefits for rolling payments forward to the 2021 season, including the ability to use that money for single-game ticket sales in 2020.
If the Chiefs are allowed to host a playoff game at full capacity, season ticket members who did not request a refund will have the first chance to buy their seats for postseason games.
Fans who already bought season tickets will still receive a box with exclusive gifts and the Chiefs have promised not to raise season ticket prices in 2021.
Even if a season ticket member for 2020 does not attend a game, they will accrue a year of tenure by rolling this year’s funds forward to next season.
Those who request a refund will be given the opportunity to renew their season tickets for the 2021 season in the same seat location and will maintain their current season ticket member tenure.
“As we looked at ways to navigate this unusual season, our first priority was to offer a fair and flexible plan for our loyal and valued Season Ticket Members, and we believe we accomplished that,” Donovan said in a statement. “While it will be a different experience for everyone, we are looking forward to welcoming fans to Arrowhead this fall.”
Parking and hospitality club passes also can be rolled forward or refunded just like season tickets.
41 Action News reporter McKenzie Nelson contributed to this story.
