Prepared to open a new stadium, the Rams prepare for the possibility of limited or no capacity during the 2020 season

The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for the possibility that SoFi Stadium, the new $ 5.5 billion project financed by owner Stan Kroenke, will not receive fans in its debut season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Rams announced Tuesday that the stadium will be “at limited or no capacity” this season.

If fans are allowed in the 70,000-seat stadium, the Rams expect attendance to be capped at 15,000 to allow for social distancing. Masks would also be required.

In a letter sent to season ticket members, the Rams explained that 2020 season tickets will not be available and will be deferred for the 2021 season. If fan attendance is allowed, priority will be given to purchasing single game tickets to season ticket holders.

The Rams have stopped collecting season tickets. Refunds are available or payments can be credited to the 2021 season.

The Los Angeles Chargers, who will also play at SoFi Stadium, announced a similar plan last week.

In the letter to season ticket members, the Rams also wrote that “They anticipate that the NFL will cancel the preseason games.” The preseason schedule has already been reduced from four games to two.

The Rams are slated to open the regular season that plays host to the Dallas Cowboys on September 13 on Sunday Night Football.

Construction began on the 298-acre stadium site in November 2016, 11 months after the announcement that the Rams would return to Los Angeles after playing 21 seasons in St. Louis. The stadium was initially estimated to cost $ 2.6 billion and was slated to open for the 2019 season. However, the record rainfall in 2017 caused construction delays that forced the stadium to push its debut to 2020.