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TAMPA — Tampa scored a major civic win Tuesday with the news that construction of a new stadium in Los Angeles for the NFL's Chargers and Rams will be delayed.
That because in response the to the delays, NFL owners voted to move Super Bowl LV in February 2021 from Los Angeles to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
"From our standpoint, we felt this was an appropriate thing to do," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says in a story posted on the NFL's website. "We were fortunate that Tampa had a very competitive presentation when they bid on the Super Bowl earlier (in 2016). So this was a solution the membership got on very quickly."
Record rainfall in Southern California caused construction delays earlier this year on the Inglewood Stadium, which prompted its opening to be delayed by a year, the NFL.com story states. The league has a rule that stadiums need to be open for at least two seasons in order to host the Super Bowl. That created the opening for Tampa.
“Being awarded Super Bowl 2021 is a testament to our city's ability to shine on the international stage,” Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says in a statement. “Tampa does big events as well as anybody in the world and once again we will rise to the occasion. We look forward to working to met the host requirements over the weeks ahead.”
Tampa last hosted the Super Bowl in 2009, and has also hosted the fame in 1984, 1991 and 2001. Raymond James Stadium is in the middle of a two-year, $100 million renovation project, including renovations to the video displays, sound systems and luxury suites. Another phase of the project includes upgrades to the concourse, club lounges and team store.
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