City Of Norman Banking On OU Fans In The Stands In The Fall

As it stands in mid-June, it seems likely that we'll have a college football season, but will there be tailgaters or fans in the stands? That's anyone's guess right now.

With the University of Oklahoma releasing its season ticket information Monday, that at least offers some optimism that Memorial Stadium will be rocking this fall.

Three different season ticket packages will be on sale online and over the phone at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

But, if the number of games or stadium capacity is reduced, there is the anticipated option of reallocating your payment as a gift for OU Athletics, transferring it to 2021 season tickets or requesting a refund.

No decisions have been made yet about what a gameday will look like this fall.

"When I say we're optimistic and hopeful that we would have a stadium at near or full capacity, that's not me predicting that's going to happen," OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said Friday.

As for the City of Norman, they're hoping for a full stadium, too.

"We need the OU football season to happen with fans in the stands very badly," said Anthony Francisco, City of Norman finance director.

Francisco stressed that safety is the first priority, but there is a lot at stake for Norman financially.

"We know it's in the six-figures per game that our sales tax benefits, and if that's halved, that's a big detriment to the City of Norman," Francisco said.

Players are allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts on July 1.

The home opener is against Missouri State on September 5.