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Flyers: Wells Fargo Center could see no fans in attendance for upcoming season

By Matthew C

KELOWNA, BC - FEBRUARY 23: Stacked hockey pucks stand on the boards at Prospera Place on February 23, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC - FEBRUARY 23: Stacked hockey pucks stand on the boards at Prospera Place on February 23, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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In some disappointing but expected news, the Flyers’ home arena, the Wells Fargo Center will reportedly not welcome the public into the building for games due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For the second time ever, the Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center including other home arenas to NHL clubs will reportedly be shuttering its doors to the public and not welcome fans for league games in the 2020-21 hockey season.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 06: In an aerial view from a drone, this is a general view of the Wells Fargo Center on July 6, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 06: In an aerial view from a drone, this is a general view of the Wells Fargo Center on July 6, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

It was reported late Monday by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that owners around the league, including the Philadelphia Flyers, suggested that the league not welcome fans to games next season in an effort to financially protect the league. The upcoming regular season is expected to begin in January 2020.

While it is not confirmed, it is highly likely considering the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus that is affecting the United States and the entire world. In addition to welcoming no fans, top league executives are pushing for a season that would include at least 48 regular-season games.

The season is not expected to be played in a bubble, allowing teams to travel to play their games. Of course, the National Hockey League will conduct daily COVID-19 testing and set strict protocols for teams to follow before the season begins – the ESPN report states.

This means several positive and negative things for the Flyers. A positive thing is, obviously, that hockey returns in a semi-normal format with teams being able to travel rather than playing in a bubble that included two arenas with most teams playing their games in one arena.

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One negative potential situation that the Flyers and other teams around the league will have to face is their finances. Having no fans decreases revenue and thus drains money from teams.

In a clear attempt to earn some lost revenue back, the Wells Fargo Center and the Flyers attempted to host a week-long Halloween event at the Wells Fargo Center which ultimately led up to being canceled and refunds being issued.

It’s quite an unfortunate situation, however, it’s with very valid reasoning. While some fans may have trouble understanding the reasoning and logistics behind it, at the end of the day, it’s the safest thing to do and the most right thing to do. At least we’re getting a hockey season – it’s better than having no hockey to watch on television during the winter months.

No formal announcement has been made by the National Hockey League as speculation and reports from sources continue to mount.

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