Sports Authority Unveils Reopening Plan For Raymond James Stadium
TAMPA, FL — Following the announcement that Raymond James Stadium will host fans beginning with this Sunday's soft opening game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Chargers, the Tampa Sports Authority, Buccaneers and University of South Florida unveiled a comprehensive plan detailing the reopening plan Tuesday.
Changes to the fan experience will feature a variety of safety measures including socially distanced seating, the implementation of full mobile ticketing and cashless transactions, the installation of touchless hardware in restrooms, enhanced sanitation measures, and additional food preparation safety protocols at all concessions areas.
As part of coronavirus safety protocols, there will be no tailgating permitted in any of the stadium parking lots and a no-bag policy will be enforced for fans entering the stadium.
"We are excited to be welcoming fans back to Raymond James Stadium," said Eric D. Hart, president/CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority. "We have done extensive upgrades to meet CDC guidelines for fan safety while attending our events. We would like to thank Hillsborough County for providing us the opportunity to receive CARES Act funding for these essential public safety improvements."
The Tampa Sports Authority received about $10.4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security funding from the Hillsborough County Commission to pay for more than 40 modifications including touchless toilets and sinks, and removable stadium seat bottoms.
Touchscreen ticket scanners cost about $500,000. The sports authority spent another $480,000 on portable wash and sanitizing stations for the parking lots, gates, plaza and concourses. The authority also spent about $20,000 to purchase thermometers for all gates and entry points.
The improvements aren't only for Bucs and Bulls games.
At a press conference last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants to be able to host as many fans as possible when the Super Bowl is played at Raymond James Stadium Feb. 7.
"We expect to do a full Super Bowl," he said. "We’re going to show that we’re going to be able to do that."
For Sunday's game, the Buccaneers will host season pass members with continuous membership since 1998 or earlier.
The Bulls will follow on Oct. 10 with a homecoming game against East Carolina University. Attendance policies for that game are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Starting with the Buccaneers' next home game on Oct. 18 against the Green Bay Packers, seating at Raymond James Stadium will be approximately 25 percent of capacity.
"The safety of our fans, players and staff has been our top priority throughout this process," said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford."We have worked closely with the TSA and local authorities to ensure that Raymond James Stadium is ready to host our fans for the remainder of this highly anticipated season. Game days may seem a little different this season, but we remain as committed as ever to providing our fans with the first-in-class experience they have grown to expect."
"We are fortunate to have terrific partners like the Tampa Sports Authority and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the tremendous investment in Raymond James Stadium to help create what I think will be the safest and most comfortable guest experience in college football when our fans return," USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said. "Game days won't be quite the comprehensive fan experience we have grown accustomed to in the Bay area, but they will be first-class, safe and enjoyable."
Tampa Bay Sports Authority
Additional details on the Raymond James Stadium reopening plan can be found by copying and pasting the following link into your browser: https://www.dropbox.com/s/20jfrzejrvcnqre/Press%20Conference%20Presentation_RJS%20Reopening%20Plan_09-29-20.pdf?dl=0
This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch
