Super Bowl LVI is set to take place at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium, on February 13, 2022. However, COVID-19 has impacted the league this season, similarly to how it has affected sports and people around the world. The National Football League has had to determine the league’s rules regarding COVID-19 and how they affect the players and games. But despite these restrictions, the Super Bowl will definitely take place this year.
Due to the number of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, the NFL needs an alternate stadium to hold the Super Bowl if it is no longer possible to hold it in LA. If there has to be a site change, the NFL has concluded that the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium will be the alternate option. Texas’s COVID-19 restrictions have been more relaxed than most of the country, which could be the reason the NFL chose Dallas as their backup. This can be related to Major League Baseball because in 2020, the World Series was held in Texas instead of switching between the contending teams’ stadiums.
Although Dallas would be a good second choice, the NFL does not want to have to move the Super Bowl from Los Angeles. The Super Bowl has not been hosted in LA in 30 years, and the plans for this Super Bowl have been in progress for over two years. Also, the Super Bowl generates a lot of tourists to the city it is being held in and Los Angeles is expected to greatly benefit economically. However, the LA County health director has asked that all “nonessential gatherings” be halted.
Throughout the NFL season, the COVID-19 protocols have been constantly changing. The NFL uses the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines to determine the requirements for their league. The current rules state that unvaccinated players must test daily for COVID-19 and all players must test at least once a week, regardless of their vaccination status. In addition, if a player is symptomatic they cannot return to their team after five days. Each team’s physician is in charge of checking the players to make sure they are able to play.
The NFL playoffs began on January 15, 2022 and no games have been postponed due to COVID-19. This may offer hope that the Super Bowl will take place on time and in Los Angeles.