NFL

Super Bowl Set to Go Off as Planned at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood

Reports have indicated that AT&T Stadium in Texas is a backup site for Super Bowl LVI, but an NFL official said it is standard procedure to find backup emergency sites for all regular and postseason games.

SoFi Stadium home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.
MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

Officials have looked into possible emergency backup venues to host the Super Bowl, but the game is scheduled to go off as planned at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Feb. 13, an NFL spokesman said.

One possible backup site was rumored to be the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

But an NFL official said that Super Bowl LVI was still on for the Los Angeles location, despite other reports.

"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," Brian McCarthy said. "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."

One such unforeseen circumstance could be tied to surging COVID cases in Los Angeles County, as daily case numbers have skyrocketed in the past two weeks.

There were 2,240 COVID-positive patients in county hospitals as of Tuesday, a jump from 1,994 on Monday.

The Grammys ceremony set to take place at the Crypto.com Arena had been postponed indefinitely, while the Golden Globes red carpet and live audience had been canceled Wednesday due to surging omicron cases.

SoFi Stadium changed its COVID protocol in response to the winter surge of omicron cases mid-December. SoFi Stadium posted updated COVID protocols on its site announcing anyone entering the stadium, 5 years and older, will need proof of vaccination to get in. You can find all the entrance requirements here.

A spokesperson from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office also said the state "is looking forward to hosting Super Bowl LVI at the new SoFi Stadium."

"The state is working closely with the NFL to ensure the event is a safe and exciting end to this year’s football season," a spokesperson from the governor's office said.

State Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said health officials were working with the NFL to ensure that the Super Bowl doesn't become a rapid spreading event for the virus.

"The Super Bowl represents people coming not just from California, Los Angeles, but from far and wide to multiple events,'' Ghaly said. "I know LA County is closely in contact with the NFL to make sure that strategies are put in place to ensure that people can enjoy this important event, while making sure that we put things in place that allow COVID mitigation to be a important feature of the approach to that game that is just over a month away.''

"The Super Bowl is coming to LA. I think Californians are excited to see that event occur. The work is to make sure that as it is moving forward ... that mitigation strategies that create safety around that event are in place, and looking forward to a number of folks working to make sure that is there.''

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