Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund

Lore & Background

Because ticket sales generally constitute a substantial proportion of total revenues in most professional sports as well as in certain elite competitions of many amateur sports, it is rare for such games to be off limits to paying members of the general public. When such instances do occur, it is usually for reasons outside the participating teams' control. These may include as a punishment or remedy for a participating team, stadium safety problems, preventing potentially dangerous clashes between rival supporters, wider safety concerns like a riot or other civil disturbances, or public health concerns like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reader's Guide

In North America, the most prevalent example of teams playing without fans in attendance was as a consequence of public health measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These were determined by local health authorities which had the power to limit public gatherings. Canadian provincial measures were far more strict and kept in place considerably longer compared to those in U.S. states. The National Football League was the only league able to complete its season in 2020 with minimal disruption to the schedule. By the autumn of 2021, capacity crowds were generally allowed throughout the United States although some Canadian jurisdictions continued to limit attendance. By the spring of 2022, capacity limits were lifted in Canada as well.

Did You Know?

• In Brazil, the practice of games without public access is known as "closed gates" (in Portuguese, portões fechados).
• Two rounds of the Campeonato Catarinense second division in 2014 were behind closed doors because the competing clubs did not deliver the security checks for their stadiums.
• In 2009, two games of the Série D were played behind closed doors due to the H1N1 flu pandemic.
• Super Bowl LV was the least-attended Super Bowl, but not the least-attended NFL championship game since 1941.
• Minor League Baseball and the Canadian Football League both cancelled their summer 2020 seasons rather than attempt to go crowdless.