What NFL Teams Are Making With Limited Fan Capacity

George Malone
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 29, 2019: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals touchdown toward an official, after throwing a 20-yard touchdown to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 29, 2019: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals touchdown toward an official, after throwing a 20-yard touchdown to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Of the staggering $16 billion the NFL earned in revenue last season, $5.5 billion of that came from stadium revenue. That includes money from ticket sales, parking, concessions and merchandise.

See: 13 NFL Players Who Lost Millions

Now take those numbers and throw them out the window for the 2020 season. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. Each NFL franchise is taking a huge revenue hit because attendance has to be limited for health-related reasons. Fourteen teams haven’t allowed fans at all yet this season, and the rest are restricting attendance to far below capacity.

Read on for a look at the 18 NFL teams that have allowed fans this season and how much they’re making, ranked by the total potential revenue per game, from least to most. While ticket revenue was based on the allowed capacity and average ticket price, fan revenue was based on the cost of a hot dog, soda and other items fans might purchase. Despite hosting fans, these teams are surely losing a big chunk of money due to those empty seats in the stands.

Last updated: Dec. 11, 2020

Nov 10, 2019; Tampa, FL USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) smiles before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Nov 10, 2019; Tampa, FL USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) smiles before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Arizona Cardinals

  • Allowed capacity: 4,200

  • Ticket revenue: $237,762

  • Fan revenue: $184,758

  • Total potential revenue per game: $422,520

Landon Collins Washington Redskins highest paid player
Landon Collins Washington Redskins highest paid player

Washington Football Team

  • Allowed capacity: 3,200

  • Ticket revenue: $213,120

  • Fan revenue: $220,768

  • Total potential revenue per game: $433,888

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on August 17, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland.
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - AUGUST 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass during the Baltimore Ravens Training Camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on August 17, 2020 in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Baltimore Ravens

  • Allowed capacity: 4,000

  • Ticket revenue: $293,040

  • Fan revenue: $186,760

  • Total potential revenue per game: $479,800

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 31-24 at the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 31-24 at the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Carolina Panthers

  • Allowed capacity: 5,240

  • Ticket revenue: $335,025

  • Fan revenue: $220,997

  • Total potential revenue per game: $556,022

Read More: How Much the Top MLB Players Made and Lost in 2020

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller

Denver Broncos

  • Allowed capacity: 5,700

  • Ticket revenue: $398,601

  • Fan revenue: $263,255

  • Total potential revenue per game: $661,856

Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers highest paid player
Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers highest paid player

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Allowed capacity: 5,500

  • Ticket revenue: $384,615

  • Fan revenue: $299,475

  • Total potential revenue per game: $684,090

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Damon Tarver/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (7391450aj)New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) in action during the NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Damon Tarver/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (7391450aj)New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) in action during the NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

New Orleans Saints

  • Allowed capacity: 6,000

  • Ticket revenue: $399,600

  • Fan revenue: $344,940

  • Total potential revenue per game: $744,540

Carson Wentz biggest NFL contract
Carson Wentz biggest NFL contract

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Allowed capacity: 6,000

  • Ticket revenue: $491,508

  • Fan revenue: $382,440

  • Total potential revenue per game: $873,948

Travis Henry of the Tennessee Titans during a game between the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee on December 31, 2006.
Travis Henry of the Tennessee Titans during a game between the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee on December 31, 2006.

Tennessee Titans

  • Allowed capacity: 8,600

  • Ticket revenue: $492,574

  • Fan revenue: $453,005

  • Total potential revenue per game: $945,579

Read More: The Richest NFL Team Owners

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 20: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers on December 20, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 20: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers on December 20, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Allowed capacity: 12,000

  • Ticket revenue: $615,384

  • Fan revenue: $465,360

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,080,744

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 29, 2019: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals touchdown toward an official, after throwing a 20-yard touchdown to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 29, 2019: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns signals touchdown toward an official, after throwing a 20-yard touchdown to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Cleveland Browns

  • Allowed capacity: 12,000

  • Ticket revenue: $599,400

  • Fan revenue: $605,880

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,205,280

Adam Vinatieri no. 4 - Indianapolis Colts host the Oakland Raiders on Sept.
Adam Vinatieri no. 4 - Indianapolis Colts host the Oakland Raiders on Sept.

Indianapolis Colts

  • Allowed capacity: 12,500

  • Ticket revenue: $782,550

  • Fan revenue: $657,750

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,440,300

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass duirng the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass duirng the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Miami Dolphins

  • Allowed capacity: 13,000

  • Ticket revenue: $839,826

  • Fan revenue: $711,620

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,551,446

Houston Texans
Houston Texans

Houston Texans

  • Allowed capacity: 13,300

  • Ticket revenue: $1,018,647

  • Fan revenue: $634,743

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,653,390

Find Out: How Much Money the World Series Lost With Limited Ticket Sales

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Winslow Townson/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9335761af)Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcell Dareus during the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MassJaguars Patriots Football, Foxborough, USA - 21 Jan 2018.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Winslow Townson/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9335761af)Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcell Dareus during the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MassJaguars Patriots Football, Foxborough, USA - 21 Jan 2018.

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Allowed capacity: 16,791

  • Ticket revenue: $872,259

  • Fan revenue: $903,356

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,775,615

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, in Tampa, FlaSeahawks Buccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 27 Nov 2016.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, in Tampa, FlaSeahawks Buccaneers Football, Tampa, USA - 27 Nov 2016.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Allowed capacity: 16,473

  • Ticket revenue: $910,567

  • Fan revenue: $885,726

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,796,293

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates his fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 21, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates his fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 21, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Allowed capacity: 16,000

  • Ticket revenue: $895,104

  • Fan revenue: $967,840

  • Total potential revenue per game: $1,862,944

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas.

Dallas Cowboys

  • Allowed capacity: 20,000

  • Ticket revenue: $1,505,160

  • Fan revenue: $1,539,800

  • Total potential revenue per game: $3,044,960

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Methodology: In order to find how much NFL teams are making with limited capacity, GOBankingRates first found which NFL teams are allowing fans to watch games as sourced from ESPN. With the 18 teams allowing fans isolated, GOBankingRates then found the (1) allowed capacity per team as sourced from ESPN, (2) average ticket price as sourced from Forbes’ Sports Money: 2020 NFL Valuations and (3) ticket revenue calculated by multiplying factors No. 1 and 2 and then taking a third out that goes to the league, to be distributed to all franchises as the visiting teams’ share. Next, GOBankingRates used Team Marketing Report’s 2019 NFL Fan Cost Index data to find each team’s stadium’s (4) price of parking, (5) price of a hot dog, (6) price of beer, (7) price of soft drink and (8) price of merch item. GOBankingRates then found (9) fan revenue calculated as half of all fans paying for (4) parking and purchasing one (5) hot dog, (6) beer, (7) soft drink and (8) merch item. Factors No. 3 and 9 were then combined to get (10) total revenue potential per game. All data was collected and is up to date as of Nov. 3, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What NFL Teams Are Making With Limited Fan Capacity

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