Report: AT&T Stadium seen as potential backup site for Super Bowl LVI
As things stand, the upcoming Super Bowl is set to take place on Feb. 13, 2022, at the brand new So Fi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Being the home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, the NFL’s newest stadium is set to be put on display in one of the world’s largest sporting events.
However, according to WFAA, the NFL has begun to look for backup options surrounding the game, with AT&T Stadium being a real possibility. The report states the Dallas Cowboys and the league has “engaged in preliminary discussions” about Arlington, TX, being the site for the Super Bowl.
COVID-19 restrictions within the state of California would be the reason the NFL would be wanting to make the switch. Restrictions are not as strict within the state as they were a year ago but record numbers of positive tests were reported on Christmas Eve (10,000).
“We plan on playing Super Bowl LVI as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told WFAA. “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. 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.”
If a decision were to be made, the rest of the NFL playoffs would have to play out first. One regular-season game remains, with Wild Card weekend scheduled to kick off on Saturday, Jan. 15.
The Dallas area has been a popular destination for sports leagues looking to relocate events due to COVID-19. In the college football world, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Notre Dame Fighting Irish played the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium when the state of California would not allow fans.
Major League Baseball also hosted the 2020 NLCS and World Series at brand new Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. The Super Bowl could be just the latest event to make the switch.
2011 was the last time the Super Bowl was hosted at AT&T Stadium. At the time, the stadium was just over two years old. The Green Bay Packers lifted the Lombardi Trophy with head coach Mike McCarthy after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.