TAMPA — When Tampa’s Super Bowl host committee got the handoff in Miami they had no idea what was ahead.
But NFL officials said Tuesday they are planning to have a sellout crowd inside Raymond James Stadium for the game on February 7.
And they are also ready for thousands of fans to attend events along the Riverwalk.
“We want to make sure Tampa, Hillsborough County and the state of Florida is very proud of hosting this Super Bowl. So we are going to do everything in our power to ensure that the impact of COVID-19 is negligible; that you don’t notice there have been modifications or changes to this great game," said Jon Barker, NFL Vice President of Event Operations,
A contingent from the NFL is in Tampa this week for a site survey.
Even though NFL officials say they are planning on a full house on Super Bowl Sunday, they say they’ll be ready to make adjustments if needed.
“We take all of our direction from our medical experts. We work very closely with the NFL players association. We work together and it’s a partnership to make sure we are mitigating against risk," said Nicki Ewell, NFL Director of Events.
NFL officials didn’t offer many specifics when it comes to safety measures other than the usual social distancing and mask requirements to enter events like the Super Bowl Experience which will open the same weekend as Gasparilla.
“We are still expecting tens of thousands of fans. We are ready to receive you in a very safe and healthy manner and we hope people come down," said Ewell.
The host committee is working on two weekends of concerts at Curtis Hixon Park.
And the NFL says it's planning the pregame and halftime shows, but had no announcements on who will perform.
