There’s never been a year like 2020 in sports, with teams playing shortened seasons in empty stadiums across the country. That’s almost sure to continue into the upcoming NFL season with every club either limiting fan capacity or not allowing fans in at all.
That’s especially disappointing for the Rams, who are opening a brand new $5 billion stadium in Inglewood in a few weeks. SoFi Stadium will be at limited or no capacity this season, but fans can put themselves in the seats in a different way.
The Rams announced Thursday that fans can purchase cardboard cutouts of themselves to be placed in the stands at SoFi Stadium, beginning in Week 1 against the Cowboys. Proceeds from such purchases will benefit charity, too, going toward the Los Angeles Rams Foundation “in support of the team’s efforts to address social injustices including poverty, education inequities, food insecurity and homelessness.”
Season-ticket holders will have the first chance to buy the cutouts for Week 1 beginning on Aug. 20 for $70. Then, they’ll open up to the general public one day later for however many cutouts are still available at $80 each.
Here’s how the process works, and even pet photos are permitted!
Fans will be required to upload a high-resolution photo and select a royal or bone jersey, or a Rams t-shirt, and number for their 18” X 35” cutout. “Game Faces for Good” cutouts that are purchased in the same order will be seated together in SoFi Stadium and photos of pets will be permitted. Fans can also have their cutout shipped to their homes following the game for an additional cost.
The Rams haven’t said whether fans will be allowed at SoFi Stadium this season, but all indications point toward the stadium being empty – save for the cardboard cutouts scattered throughout.