The New Orleans Saints will not have fans in the seats when they open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

While the Saints still hope to be able to host fans sometime down the road, the team said in a statement the current COVID-19 rates in the state of Louisiana will not allow for fans in the first home game:

Unfortunately, at this time, the trends across our state and region do not meet the standards of health and safety we have established with our healthcare and government partners to host fans in the stadium for the first home game. While state numbers are trending in the right direction, further mitigation of cases is needed and a reduced infection rate is required for the team to welcome back its fans. While there is a strong desire to see Saints fans back in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, local and state leadership are clear in their communications that significant improvement is required for that to occur. The team, along with health and safety experts, will continuously monitor trends to determine if fans will be able to attend the September 27 game vs. Green Bay. Although the current guidance we have received from our government leaders suggest this to be unlikely, we remain prepared to host fans if allowed.

On the one hand, this is surely to disappoint any number of fans hoping to attend one of the marquee matchups of Week 1.

The Bucs figure to be tough competitors for the Saints in the NFC South after signing Tom Brady and bringing back top pass-rushers Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.

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However, it seems clear the Saints have the fans' best interest in mind.

Team president Dennis Lauscha noted the team has been in constant contact with city and state health officials while also discussing precautions with ASM Global, the group that manages the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

It might be possible for the Saints to eventually offer reduced seating, but they will play behind closed doors in Week 1 against the Bucs.