NFL stadium attendance continues to suffer as the backlash from players protesting the National Anthem extends into week 16. Football fans from across the country are sharing photos showing stadiums plagued by empty seats this Christmas weekend.
At a recent press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said “attendance is off by one percent.”
“We are over 98 percent filled to capacity, which is about where we’ve been in the past,” Goodell added.
Judging by photos shared by fans this season, how could Goodell have said that with a straight face?
“This nfl red zone channel is showing a lot of empty seats in a lot of stadiums today,” tweeted reporter Chuck Raasch.
This nfl red zone channel is showing a lot of empty seats in a lot of stadiums today.
— craasch (@craasch) December 24, 2017
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium
All we want for Christmas is a @titans W! Let’s go, boys! ⚔️ #Project615 #TitanUp 📸: @MusicCityTours pic.twitter.com/JI3FK4qJDx
— Project 615 (@project615) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/stephaniegurzi/status/945009913578885131
Was about to post this in excitement about @Titans D momentum. #ohwell #MerryXmas #NFLChristmas pic.twitter.com/868J5IUT4D
— Erik E. Cole (@ErikECole) December 24, 2017
Titans vs rams! #nashville pic.twitter.com/oJwoBNRVeK
— Cruz Blanco (@CruzBlanco_) December 24, 2017
@Titans Two Noo Yawkuhs Having a Great Time at the Game! #TitanUp #MostFunWins pic.twitter.com/q7ZoDf398n
— Paul Mondesire (@TallPaul513) December 24, 2017
Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears at Soldier Field
11 minutes into the first quarter at a snowy Solider Field and plenty of seats are still available.
https://twitter.com/JamesNeveau/status/944993950049427457
Attendee Mathew Carlson tweeted, “Only about half of snowy Soldier Field’s 61,500 seats are occupied for game between #Bears and #Browns.”
Only about half of snowy Soldier Field's 61,500 seats are occupied for game between #Bears and #Browns. pic.twitter.com/W8SaBaVVCj
— Matthew Carlson (@MattCNews) December 24, 2017
Empty rafters seats galore well into the second quarter of the Browns vs. Bears game.
Enjoying seeing the @Athletico love on a snowy day….#DaBears #BeatTheBrowns pic.twitter.com/dFQ37yrRmQ
— Mike Overturf (@turffamily) December 24, 2017
Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium
The upper level of Paul Brown Stadium is nearly empty moments after kickoff.
“Bengals fans doing some self-reflection on this Christmas Eve,” joked the NFL reporter Chris Burke.
Bengals fans doing some self-reflection on this Christmas Eve. pic.twitter.com/D1oNXbHZ9q
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) December 24, 2017
Thousands of empty seats are visible halfway through the first quarter.
#Let’sRoar #Bengals50 pic.twitter.com/HEtS0gOZ7T
— April Wyatt (@ALW80) December 24, 2017
A sea of green seats visible with 12:45 left in the second quarter.
https://twitter.com/Sit4Something/status/945003933101187074
NFL in nappies. Who dey! #bengals50 https://t.co/gFf5TZMqLf pic.twitter.com/v7cfCVdzNZ
— Dom Vizor (@domvizor) December 24, 2017
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium
Plenty of bright blue seats still available in the second quarter.
#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/gzVigzWNOt
— 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻 (@BrianFox46) December 24, 2017
Thousands of empty seats for fans to sit in at halftime.
“Halftime @Panthers up 12-6 over Tampa Bay! #KeepPounding#MerryChristmas,” tweeted Heather Childers.
Halftime @Panthers up 12-6 over Tampa Bay! #KeepPounding #MerryChristmas pic.twitter.com/SrGLhD6bMI
— Heather Childers (@HeatherChilders) December 24, 2017
Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium
The Dolphins vs. Chiefs game is plagued by poor attendance, as well.
“A lot of empty seats here, Rich. A little surprising …,” noted NFL announcer Kevin Harlan.
"A lot of empty seats here, Rich. A little surprising … " -Kevin Harlan
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) December 24, 2017
“CBS just showed A LOT OF EMPTY SEATS at Arrowhead,” noted TV producer Chris Law.
https://twitter.com/ChrisLaw/status/945004691171303424
Well into the second quarter and thousands of red and yellow colored seats are still available.
Ralphie from #achristmasstoryhouse is at the #ChiefsKingdom game today pic.twitter.com/OtCbtQLra9
— KelCon Technologies (@kelcontech) December 24, 2017
Freezing cold @Chiefs game before the family Christmas party! Thanks for the tickets @ChiefsRewards ❤️💛 #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/glT3S8i3OF
— pres (@presleypeach) December 24, 2017
My nephew at his first Chiefs game all the way from Hawaii!! Christmas Eve at arrowhead! Merry Christmas from the Lampe’s and Stockwell’s. Go Chiefs!!#chiefskingdom! pic.twitter.com/P9sgr3XVUs
— Bill Lampe (@BillLampeVC) December 24, 2017
Denver Broncos vs. Washington Redskins at FedExField
Merry Christmas Eve with my brother @chrisseanjohnson from the front row on the 50 yard line @Redskins @FedExField thanks @janjeffcoat for a great #ChristmasEve gift 🎁 🎄 pic.twitter.com/VhC2df2HCZ
— Matthew Kingsley (@3kingsley) December 24, 2017
@Redskins Cheerleaders include 10 year old in halftime show as a part of her Christmas Wish and she nailed it. Great integration into the routine. pic.twitter.com/Uj6UGN7H78
— CJ Wallington (@cjwallington) December 24, 2017
Somehow ended up here.#Redskins #Broncos #FedExField #GreatSeats #NFL pic.twitter.com/UvRzeM5Oci
— Mike D 📷 (@hockywizrd) December 24, 2017
Los Angeles Chargers vs New York Jets at MetLife Stadium
Looks like New Yorkers steered clear of the Jets game at kickoff.
Enjoying My Christmas Eve At @MLStadium Watching My @Chargers Take On The @nyjets… #BoltUp #LACvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/H6oi3hwyMG
— Keegan (@ImJustKeegan) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/JoanneTrup/status/945013220787589120
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdGMf_bl4jQ/
With 12:20 left in the second quarter, many grey seats are still up for grabs.
Chargerz vs Jets live. ⚡️vs🛩#chargers pic.twitter.com/d2m2K2fQgR
— Jehdi (@AnakinHopkins) December 24, 2017
