Bengals permitted attendance jumps to 12,000 fans after state approval

The Cincinnati Bengals’ first win of the 2020 season was also the first game they played in front of a home crowd. About 6,000 fans were present inside Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday to see the Bengals top the Jaguars 35-22, and they won’t be the only fans to see a Bengals game this season.

As first reported by Cincinnati.com, the Ohio Department of Health has approved of the Bengals and Cleveland Browns now hosting 12,000 fans for home games.

The Bengals’ next home game happens to be against the Browns in two weeks. Both teams have already played against each other in front of a maximum crowd of 6,000 live spectators in Week 2. The Bengals were originally granted approval of a 6,000 fans for their second and third home games on September 5th. This just means their third home game will feature twice as many fans.

Per The Enquirer, these are the stipulations that must be met in order for the Bengals to continue hosting fans:

• Additional seating sections and concourse walkways will be opened to accommodate more spectators while ensuring that six-foot social distancing protocols are maintained.
• Spectators will be directed to enter the stadium using the designated entrance that is closest to their assigned seat.
• Spectators will be grouped in “pods” of two to four people with no grouping larger than six individuals who are all members of the same party/group.
• Operating standards and plans outlined in the original Cincinnati Bengals Responsible Restart Plan will be followed.

As long as players, personnel members, and fans stay clean and avoid infection, the Bengals should continue to slowly fill up Paul Brown Stadium.