Individual tickets for the Steelers 2020 season went on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Only there weren't as many available as usual.
The team is only making 50 percent of its tickets available in order to help with social distancing. The Steelers are believed to be the first NFL team to make this concession to what could become league-wide rules in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The NFL, which released its 2020 schedule earlier this month, hasn't made any official announcements regarding how many or what percentage of fans it will permit into stadiums later this year when games begin. But the Steelers could, if the league at some point deems full attendance will be permitted, follow through with making all of their seating available.
Earlier this week, the NFL permitted teams to begin allowing support staff back into team facilities. Players and coaches, however, remain forbidden from returning until all teams can open their facilities fully given the area of the country in which they are located.
Allegheny County was moved into the "Yellow Stage" of Pennsylvania's coronavirus rules last Friday, meaning businesses are permitted to begin opening again with restrictions.
The Steelers have sold out every game at Heinz Field since its opening in 2001 and have a streak that stretches back to 1972, one of the longest in professional sports. They also have a lengthy season ticket holder waiting list, with some fans waiting decades for the opportunity to purchase season ticket packages.
It's not known what limiting the purchase of tickets will do to that streak.
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