Some good news for football fans in Tampa Bay and beyond.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday the league plans to allow fans in the stands at Super Bowl LV, according to multiple reports.
The Super Bowl is set for Feb. 7, 2021, at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero says Goodell made the announcement after NFL owners "unanimously approved" a contingency plan that allows for the playoff field to expand from 14 to 16 teams if "meaningful games are canceled because of COVID-19."
Goodell says teams will not be re-seeded, however, according to Pelissero.
"Goodell reiterates the goal is to have all teams complete a full schedule in 17 weeks and play the Super Bowl -- with fans in the stands -- on Feb. 7 in Tampa," Pelissero tweeted. "Today's resolution only triggers if one or more games impacting playoff spots or seeding are canceled because of COVID-19."
Similarly, ESPN's Chris Mortenson reported Goodell "reaffirmed" the NFL's Super Bowl plan for fans attending the game. Mortenson added the league already announced "the plan for a 20 percent capacity for Super Bowl fans."
Last month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the NFL anticipated a 20 percent seating capacity. If that pans out for the February 2021 event, it comes out to a little more than 13,000 fans in the stands for a stadium that seats about 66,000 people.
Super Bowl organizers say details haven't been finalized and are subject to change based on the latest health and safety guidelines available in February.
In a statement, the NFL said: "there is no set capacity figure at this time." But one such capacity scenario includes a 20-percent cap, the league continued.
"The safety of the public, attendees, players and personnel continues to be our foremost priority. We are working on a host of Super Bowl plans, including gameday, in conjunction with the host committee and the appropriate local and county public health and government officials.
"There is no set capacity figure at this time as we continue to monitor the ongoing pandemic with more than three months to go before the Superbowl on Feburary 7.
"There have been 19 teams that have already or have been authorized by public authorities to host regular season games. The average has been around 20 percent with fans seated in pods and everyone wearing face coverings. Among the scenarios we are exploring is a capacity of around that figure but we anticipate it could grow as we get closer to the game."
You can watch Super Bowl LV live right here on 10 Tampa Bay on Feb. 7, 2021.
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