Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images. Pictured: Buccaneers fans
Stadiums have been mostly empty all season with many teams not allowing fans, but that will change for Super Bowl 55.
The NFL announced Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay will be allowed 22,000 fans for Super Bowl 55, with 7,500 of those tickets dedicated to vaccinated health care workers.
The decision was made prior to the conference championship games “following discussions with public health officials, including the CDC, the Florida Department of Health, and area hospitals and health care systems,” the league said in a statement.
“These officials reviewed and provided feedback on the NFL’s comprehensive plans that will enable the league to host fans and the vaccinated health care workers in a safe and responsible way,” the statement read.
There are 14,500 tickets available to be purchased (and sold) for the Super Bowl in Tampa.
Cheapest pair on @SeatGeek
right now, including fees, is $21,998!— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 24, 2021
Coincidentally, the Super Bowl will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who advanced to the championship game with a 31-26 win over the Green Bay Packers. This will be the first time a team plays in a Super Bowl hosted at its home stadium.
At various points throughout the season, 19 NFL teams have had some number of public fans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Others paused attendance while some allowed just family and friends. None of the stadiums allowed full capacity.
The Kansas City Chiefs were hosting up to 16,000 fans for home games. Others were closer to 5,000.
As mentioned in the NFL’s statement, providing tickets for health care workers was a major part of the allowed attendance.
“These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude, we hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings,” Roger Goodell said.