Creating a safe sporting event for fans and players

The Super Bowl is the biggest night for the NFL with the highest number of spectators for one event which wasn’t easy considering the surrounding circumstances of a global pandemic. It wasn’t easy but the NFL did their best to create a unique and safe Super Bowl experience for all participants.

The NFL is providing branded PPE kits for all fans in attendance at that include a mask, wipes and hand sanitizer.

Approximately 25,000 fans are expected, including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers who are receiving free tickets from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/tJE4jmDSnj

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 7, 2021

Super Bowl LV was hosted at the home field of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium with a max capacity of 65,860 with one-third participant occupancy of 25,000 fans. For Super Bowl LV the stadium hosted approximately one-third of the maximum capacity with 25,000 fans including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers.

The league and the NFLPA continue to adhere to their jointly-aligned COVID-19 protocols to mitigate risk throughout #SuperBowl LV week.

For more: https://t.co/ioabBfprNs pic.twitter.com/twIaY26Ql1

— NFL (@NFL) February 3, 2021

The NFL provided complimentary PPE kits to all attendees including a disposable face mask, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, a protective plastic bag, earplugs, and a guide of protective protocols within the stadium. The stadium had safety protocols required by fans including wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing of 6 feet, following directional arrows throughout the stadium, and hand sanitizer stations.

To reinforce social distancing in the stands, cardboard cutouts were placed in seats representing fans enjoying the game from home. The stadium also featured physical 6 ft. distancing markers and cash-free payments to avoid cross-contamination on surfaces.

If the stadium looks full at #SuperBowl

About 65k capacity here at Raymond James Stadium.

There are 30K fan cutouts honoring veterans & military personnel, health care workers, cancer survivors, youth and high school football players…

And 25,000 living fans. pic.twitter.com/C7enbzkuJR

— Coy Wire (@CoyWire) February 8, 2021

Super Bowl LV also implemented a social distancing measure of 20 feet between players and fans blocking the first several rows of all sections covered by LED screens. Everyone on the field including coaches, players, and referees undergo regular testing for COVID-19 throughout the entire season as well as wearing Proximity Recording Devices to trace possible infections.

Another safety measure for this event was enforcing highly-restricted areas that once allowed more access to more people. During previous Super Bowl events, the media had more access but Super Bowl LV enforced a strict list on access to the team’s locker rooms with 40 non-player club employees.