The Washington Football Team will play home games at FedExField without fans in 2020.
A decision taken with an "abundance of caution" was announced by the franchise on Wednesday as the United States continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
The USA has been the country hardest hit by COVID-19 with over five million confirmed cases.
A statement from Washington read: "With the health and safety of its fans and employees top of mind, the Washington Football Team announced today that NFL games at FedExField will be played without fans during the 2020 season.
"While the organisation had developed a comprehensive health and safety plan in close coordination with the State of Maryland and Prince George's County (MD), this decision, endorsed by local officials and partners, comes out of an abundance of caution due to the rapidly changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The decision will be re-evaluated by all parties should the situation surrounding the pandemic improve over the course of the season."
Owner Dan Snyder said: "We are fortunate to host the best fans in the NFL year after year, but the well-being of those supporters, along with that of our players, coaches and each and every member of our gameday staff is simply too important, and the current knowledge of COVID-19 too unpredictable, to welcome our fan base to FedExField to start the season.
"We were the first team in the league to recall our scouts and other personnel from the field back in mid-March and have been monitoring this evolving situation ever since.
"This decision was not an easy one, but after several discussions with federal, state and local officials – along with input from some of the nation's foremost medical experts, based right here in the nation's capital – we are confident that it is the right one.
"We are working to find ways to make our fans' presence felt in new and innovative ways for 2020 and can't wait to welcome the community through the gates as soon as it's safe."
Washington are scheduled to host the Philadelphia Eagles in their season opener on September 13.