TAMPA, Florida – First off, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in September.
Then the Tampa Bay Rays make it to the World Series in October.
Now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make history as the first NFL team to play in their own stadium in the Super Bowl.
All eyes will be on Tampa and the Bucs in two weeks for Super Bowl LV.
“So that the Tampa Bay team really shines and shines at the highest level,” said Clair Lessinger, Chief Operating Officer of the Super Bowl Host Committee. “It’s an exciting time for Tampa Bay.”
This is the first time the Buccaneers have been in the Super Bowl since 2003, and the fifth time the City of Tampa has hosted the NFL title game.
Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa, said the Super Bowl’s economic boom is exactly what the Tampa Bay and Florida area needs.
“There are many companies, especially the hospitality industry, that are struggling with the pandemic,” Corrada said. “This is a three or four hour commercial for our homes and businesses.”
Corrada said it was also important that everyone was safe.
“We don’t want to spread the virus,” Corrada said.
The NFL and local leaders have worked together to ensure that all Super Bowl events adhere to CDC guidelines.
“I can assure you that these events are safe and that the fans feel comfortable,” said Lessinger.
The NFL will cap the capacity of the Super Bowl LV to 22,000, including 7,500 healthcare workers who received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The 22,000 fans will mark the lowest attendance in Super Bowl history in a season in which many stadiums remained empty throughout the season.
The NFL also said plans are improving protocols already implemented by teams. These include mandatory masks, social distancing, seating, touch-free experiences in the stadium and controlled entry and exit.