TAMPA, Fla. — First, 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 are making history, as the the first NFL team to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium.
All eyes will be on Tampa and the Bucs in two weeks for Super Bowl LV.
“To have team Tampa Bay really shining and excelling at the highest of levels,” said Clair Lessinger, Chief Operating Officer for the Super Bowl Host Committee. “it’s an exciting time for Tampa Bay.”
This will be first time the Buccaneers are in the Super Bowl since 2003 and fifth time the City of Tampa is hosting the NFL's title game.
President and CEO of Visit Tampa, Santiago Corrada said the economic boost from the Super Bowl is just what the Tampa Bay region and Florida needs.
“There are a lot of businesses struggling, especially the hospitality industry, because of the Pandemic,” Corrada said. “This is a three or four hour commercial for our home and businesses.”
Corrada said it’s also important that everyone is safe.
“We don’t want to spread the virus,” Corrada said.
The NFL and local leaders have worked together to make sure all Super Bowl events are following the CDC’s guidelines.
“I can assure you these events will be safe, and fans will feel comfortable,” said Lessinger.
The NFL will limit capacity at Super Bowl LV to 22,000, including 7,500 health care workers who received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The 22,000 fans will mark the lowest attendance in Super Bowl history in a season that saw many stadiums stay empty for the entire season.
The NFL also said plans enhance protocols already implemented by teams. They include mandatory masks, social distancing, podded seating, touchless in-stadium experiences and controlled entry and exit.
