According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Super Bowl LV is being moved from Los Angeles to Tampa.
The @NFL owners have voted, unanimously, to move Super Bowl 55 to Tampa, while LA will host Super Bowl 56, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2017
Los Angeles, the original planned site for 2021 will instead host Super Bowl LVI instead, due to delays in building a new stadium.
The NFL requires stadiums to be open for two seasons before they can host a Super Bowl. Los Angeles' new stadium is now scheduled to open until 2020.
Raymond James Stadium last hosted the Super Bowl in 2009, when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals.
The decision was made via a unanimous vote by the NFL owners.
Rapoport reports that by Aug. 25, 90 days, Tampa and LA must meet certain conditions to solidify their requirements for hosting Super Bowl 55 (Tampa) & 56 (LA).
It was announced last year that Super Bowl 54 will be held in Miami in 2020.
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Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer released the following statement regarding the NFL’s decision:
“The Tampa Bay area has enjoyed great success over the years hosting Super Bowls and we look forward to working with our local leaders in the coming months to meet the requirements for hosting Super Bowl LV in 2021. Today’s announcement offers us the opportunity to showcase Tampa Bay’s unique ability to come together as a host for world-class events.”
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Statement from Santiago Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay:
“We are thrilled with the NFL’s decision to choose Tampa Bay for Super Bowl LV. As a community, we have become experts at hosting national and international events without a hitch – including four successful Super Bowls already, the last one in 2009. We look forward to working with our hospitality stakeholders over the coming months to meet the requirements for hosting the game. This community – Florida’s most diverse travel destination -- has changed dramatically in the years since 2009, thanks to the Tampa Riverwalk, dozens of incredible new restaurants, and hundreds of new hotel rooms. With billions of dollars in new projects on the horizon, visitors will have an even better experience awaiting them in Tampa Bay when they attend Super Bowl LV.”
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Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn released the following statement after being awarded Super Bowl LV:
“Being awarded Super Bowl 2021 is a testament to our city’s ability to shine on the international stage. 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 meet the host requirements over the weeks ahead. Thank you to the NFL and network of owners who voted unanimously on this move. We will not disappoint.”
