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Tampa Prepares to Host
Super Bowl LV How the city of Tampa and the NFL plan for a Super Bowl that will be unlike any before it. By Nick Moore
F
or the second time in as many years, the NFL’s season will culminate in Florida with Tampa Bay hosting Super Bowl LV (55) next month. Last February, Miami hosted Super Bowl LIV (54) between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Remember? A packed Hard Rock Stadium. An electric halftime show by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. A 21-point fourth quarter that gave the Chiefs their first Super Bowl win since 1970. A lot has transpired since then, but astonishingly, the NFL managed to complete its entire 256-game regular season schedule on time. They did so utilizing strategies we’ve all become familiar with: social distancing, rapid testing, contact tracing and mask wearing. Of course, their efforts were not flawless. Teams experienced outbreaks. Players and coaches missed games. Some games were even delayed until Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. But, alas, here we are, gearing up for a Super Bowl that will be unlike any before it. As for a packed stadium? Raymond James Stadium has a 65,890 max capacity. Don’t expect anywhere near that number when the game kicks off a few weeks from now. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who attend-
ed a game at Raymond James Stadium in December, says the league “will be working with public officials and health officials to define that as we get closer to the game.” Goodell praised the Raymond James Stadium staff for their enforcement of COVID protocols, noting he and his family felt safe throughout their visit. More than 16,000 fans were in attendance that day. The stadium itself has undergone vast improvements in anticipation of the big game. New video boards, clubs, suites, LED light displays and audio improvements are expected to give the game the high-class stage it always deserves. “There’s no question Raymond James Stadium will be ready for Super Bowl 55 and be a great stage for the game,” Goodell says. Other aspects that will make Super Bowl 55 Week unique include travel and media availability. Participating teams are not expected to arrive in town until much closer to game time. In the past, teams have arrived nearly a week prior to the game. Media Day and other fan-friendly traditions that have led up to the game in years past will now operate more like made-for-television events.
NOTE: At the time of press, the NFL had not made any final decisions on capacity limits for the game. Additionally, the city of Tampa had not invoked a November proposal by the Super Bowl Host Committee to set up an “event zone” in areas surrounding Raymond James Stadium and downtown Tampa. The zone would allow for additional security measures in the areas. 16
Central Florida Lifestyle | January 2021
