NFL Eying AT&T Stadium As Potential Super Bowl LVI Replacement Venue
The NFL is actively looking at the availability of venues to host Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, should the event not go on as planned, WFAA reports.
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is currently scheduled to host the 56th Super Bowl, but COVID-19 concerns could derail those plans. The Cowboys and the league have reportedly had preliminary discussions about AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas serving as an emergency site to host the event, amid COVID-19 restrictions in California.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy issued a statement to WFAA on the matter.
“We plan on playing Super Bowl LVI as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13,” McCarthy said. “As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games, we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances.
"Our planning process for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles is ahead of schedule and we look forward to hosting the Super Bowl there to culminate another fantastic NFL season for our fans and clubs.”
City officials in Arlington confirmed to WFAA that messages were sent to the NFL in December, stating that the city was ready to host the game if necessary. This was done as Omicron cases in California began to spike.
Los Angeles Country reported 44,710 COVID-19 cases on Jan. 2, its highest number in over a year. Over a two-week period, 209,924 positive cases have been reported. Under the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's COVID-19 mandate, attending outdoor mega events (crowds of 10,000 or more), requires proof of vaccination or a negative test for attendees ages five and older.
AT&T Stadium hosted the 2021 Rose Bowl after it was moved from its original home in Pasadena, California due to COVID-19 restrictions. AT&T Stadium does not require proof of vaccination, but masks are recommended.
Jerry World last hosted Super Bowl XLV in 2011 between the Packers and Steelers. Los Angeles hasn't hosted since Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 between the Cowboys and Bills.
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