Super Bowl LV: 22,000 to attend with 7,500 Vaccinated Healthcare Workers
Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium will have 22,000 fans to be in attendance for the NFL's biggest game of the year. The league announced its plan to honor 7,500 vaccinated health care workers with free Super Bowl LV tickets. Also, 14,500 additional fans will be allowed to attend the game.
Commissioner Roger Goodell's statement said the NFL invited "vaccinated health care workers to Super Bowl LV as guests of the NFL to thank and honor them for their continued extraordinary service during the pandemic."
The COVID-19 pandemic has limited attendance at a majority of the stadiums this season. According to the NFL, "clubs hosted more than 1.2 million fans at 116 games throughout the regular season and playoffs." Stringent COVID-19 protocols will be enforced for Super Bowl LV by the NFL. Several protocols will include mandatory mask-wearing, social-distancing, podded seating, touchless in-stadium experiences at concessions, restrooms, and security checkpoints for the attendees.
The Super Bowl is the largest international showcase for the NFL. The league officials mention the health care workers as being "heroes" for their efforts to help the thousands of Americans infected by the novel coronavirus and its mutations over the past year.
The NFL's selections of the honorees are as follows:
"The majority of the health care workers – all of whom will have received both doses of the vaccine – will come from hospitals and health care systems in the Tampa and Central Florida area. They will receive free Super Bowl tickets and gameday experiences directly from the NFL. All 32 NFL clubs will select vaccinated health care workers from their communities to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay on Sunday, Feb 7.
The NFL will also recognize health care heroes around the country through a variety of special moments both in the stadium and during the CBS broadcast."
Hall of Famer and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Derrick Brooks and Representative Will Weatherford are the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee, Co-Chairs. The committee will work with the health care facilities to decide which local healthcare workers will attend the game.
On Sunday, January 24, the AFC and NFC representatives for Super Bowl LV will battle.
Former NFL MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the Green Bay Packers will welcome the six-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to legendary Lambeau Field for the NFC Championship Game at 3:05 PM ET.
The Kansas City Chiefs led by MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes will host quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead Stadium for the AFC Championship Game at 6:40 PM ET.
